The Federalist Papers Number IX

Worried about state sovereignty, those who opposed the federalist system of government abdicated a confederacy instead. Publius retorted that confederacies "has [have] been the cause of incurable disorder and imbecility in the government" (121). His opinion on confederacies has been affirmed, and the United Nations is proof. The UN is an assembly of nation-states, each with one vote, and it's "federal authority are mere matters of discretion" (122). The UN can impose sanctions on a nation for human rights violations, yet allow the same nation that has been sanctioned to belong to the Commission on Women's Rights. The UN's aid workers have been accused of ghastly sexual assaults on young girls in poor African nations. Many of its administrative members have been accused of money laundering, corruption, bribery, and other white collar crimes. The UN is a modern day confederacy whose worth and authority have been diminished by the reasons Publius put forth two hundred years ago.

Rousseau Book III, CH. XIII: Continuation and CH. XIV: Continuation (pg. 465-67)

Rousseau believes that the only way to maintain sovereign authority or an equal balance of liberty and law is by prescribing a time where the entire populace meets. At this time, everyone, including the executive power, is truly equal. He then explains that this meeting rarely, if ever, happens and is discouraged by the leaders. This scenario reminds me of Article V of the U.S. Constitution, where our Founders prescribe an alternative to amending the Constitution. This of course is the act of convening a Constitutional Convention. A Constitutional convention has never happened because they are extremely difficult to maneuver. Two-thirds of the states must first agree to hold one and then the subsequent amendments to the Constitution require three-fourths of the states to adopt. Such an act would require a populist movement nothing like we have seen before. Now, most Americans accept this limited way of meeting and amending the Constitution, as a check put on the people by our Founders. However, if Rousseau were alive today, I believe he would say that because we do not convene and are discourage for doing so, we are subjects without the sovereign.

A General Critique of Locke’s Second Treatise

A main theme of Locke's Second Treatise is that people come together to form a political society to preserve property and ensure justice. Locke believes that a formal government who has been granted a power through its citizens, consisting of a separation of powers, is best suited to meet these goals. He says there is little historical evidence that "a company of men independent, and equal one amongst another, that met together, and in this way began and set up a government" (Locke, para. 100). However, Locke did not have to look any farther than the British Isle he lived on for examples of what he claims have not been done. Prior to the 12^th Century Norman Conquest, there are many instances of a restitution-based political system that was meant to ensure property rights and justice. According to Curott and Stringham (2005), "a number of institutions, including the borh system and the hundred, evolved to effectively provide law and order and to ensure the protection of individuals and their property. These institutions came into existence privately and relied primarily on mechanisms outside of the government" (11). These historical facts do not necessarily debunk Locke's whole social contract theory, but they do show that people have come together without a formal government to ensure law and order is preserved.

 

Curott, N. & Stringham, E. (2005). The Rise of Government Law Enforcement in England. 11.

Machiavelli’s “Discourses, Book Two, Chapter Twenty-nine” (pg. 82, column 2)

Throughout Machiavelli's writings, he leaves the strong impression that he is not religious. Yet, in Chapter Twenty-nine of Book Two in his Discourses, it appears to me that his belief in "fortune" is very similar to that of George Washington's "Providence." Machiavelli writes, "Men can help fortune along, but they cannot resist it…Of course, they should never give up, for they never know what fortune has in mind. Her path is often crooked, her route obscure" (82). Clearly providence, fortune, and the pronoun, her, all imply that there is something else that guides outcomes in this world. George Washington referred to the good fortune and divine providence that guided the American Revolution on many occasions. He directly referenced it in his First Inaugural Address, "No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency" (Hutton, 2005). If Machiavelli really was an atheist, how is his "fortune" so similar to our Founding Fathers' "Providence?" I believe it is because one who believes in fortune already has succumbed to a belief in a greater power.

Hutton, J. (2005). The Founders on Religion. 17.

Machiavelli’s The Prince: Chapter 21 “What a ruler should do in order to acquire a reputation” (pgs.45-46)

    In chapter twenty-one of Machiavelli's The Prince, he explains ways to command and enhance a ruler's good reputation. He lists methods such as "doing remarkable things," undertaking great enterprises, promoting entrepreneurship and economic prosperity, honoring skill and excellence, and providing spectacles and gatherings for the ruler's populace. Of course, most rulers or leaders try to accomplish or at least try to appear as if they accomplish these routine expectations of governance. However, Machiavelli offers interesting insights into the world of foreign diplomacy. Of particular importance are his offerings about allies and enemies, "It will always happen that he who is not your ally will urge neutrality upon you, while he who is your ally will urge you to take sides." Machiavelli's interpretation of diplomacy is almost completely accurate, even today. Yet, he fails to account for those nation-states who may truly be one's ally but fear public backlash and instability in one's own land, or cannot fiscally afford the alignment and instead opts to urge neutrality. For example, Turkey's choice to deny America use of its airspace during the Iraq War was not a choice made out of deception, but rather, it was a decision made to promote stability in Turkey.

Of the People, By the People, and For the People: A Call to Ohioans

Currently, a bill sits in the Ohio House of Representatives that, if passed and signed into law, would phase out our state's income tax over a ten-year period. All Ohioans should take note of this proposed legislation because its consequences, intended and unintended, will greatly affect all of us. Our state income tax collections fuels over one-third of all revenues in Ohio's General Revenue Fund. According to the League of Women Voters of Ohio, roughly two-thirds of the General Revenue Fund expenditures go to public assistance and education entities within our state. Faced with an already $850 million shortfall, a repeal of the state income tax could also result in the loss of another $760 million per year.

Many Ohio politicians, such as State Senator Tim Grendell (R-Chester) and State Representative Mark Schneider (D-Mentor) are questioning the validity of this current proposal. Last summer's painful biennial budgeting process was only a prelude to what will be an even more painful budgeting process next summer. The federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the stimulus bill, filled last summer's $850 million budget hole, but when it comes time to balance the state's budget again, the federal government will not be providing bailouts. Ohio's politicians will be in for a very rough fight when it comes time to reconcile the state's budget. Faced with an already $850 million budget shortfall, a loss of another $760 million could cripple all the state's agencies. If you think the political fighting within Ohio is bad now, wait until the budgeting process starts. Elected state officials and lobbyists will fight for their favorite agencies, but will they ask us, as citizens of Ohio, what we want?

Ohio has been watching its economy move to different states and countries for a couple decades. We have watched our manufacturing industry die, while our elected officials have been inept, at best, when attempting to bring jobs back to Ohio. Former Congressman John Kasich, now running for governor, is quite concerned with what academics call "brain drain." Brian drain is a term that refers to our young, college-educated adults fleeing to different states to find job opportunities. This concerns state policymakers because they see the state coiffeurs draining with each person whom leaves the state. It also serves as an alarm for Ohioans. It is telling us to wake up! It is time to fix our state because for over twenty years, our state politicians have failed to fix it for us.

Despite Ohio's constant deluge of bad economic news, we have many bright spots within our great state. First, Ohio generally has great public schools and colleges. Without a good education system, Ohio would not have the ability to experience brain drain. Second, Ohio is home to, arguably, the best hospital system in the world and several other top-notch hospital systems. The Cleveland Clinic set the bar very high for health care standards in our state; thus, it has given way to healthy, free-market competition among Ohio's hospital systems. This has resulted in better care and consumer service within the healthcare industry, while providing skilled workers with employment opportunities. Another wildly overlooked advantage is Ohio's supply of diverse natural resources. From fresh-water lakes, rivers, and streams to fertile farmlands, Ohio offers a beautiful landscape rich in minerals. Oil, natural gas, coal, and salt are just a few of those natural resources providing jobs and growth in our great state. Instead of using these resources as a competitive advantage, Ohio's politicians continually make it difficult for businesses to reap the rewards from what our Creator has left for us to use.

While we complain and watch jobs and companies leave our state, many Ohioans have stayed or returned. We recognized the importance in raising our children in great communities with great schools and are comforted by the community, family, and friends we have known most of our lives. We lived our lives, doing our best to provide for families and ourselves. We governed our communities, and ourselves but we let our elected officials govern us. We voted and voted and voted, but the status quo has remained. Ohio is a great place to live and raise a family, but our politicians have failed to implement policies and laws conducive to growth. They have lacked a vision for the future, but maybe it is we, Ohioans, that have also lacked a vision for our state's future.

State Representative John Adams' (R-Sydney) House Bill 400, which wishes to repeal the state income tax, is gaining momentum across the state. Supported by Ohio House of Representatives minority leader, John Batchelder (R-Medina), Josh Mandel (R-Lyndhurst), and many other Republican representatives, Ohioans can be sure that this bill will be a hot topic in the coming months. When Ohio is compared to states without an income tax like Texas, the idea appeals to many and fosters hope for a renewed Ohio. If HB 400 passes, what happens if Ohio does not see Texas-like growth? Ohio is different from Texas. Texas offers advantages for importing and exporting and has mild environmental regulations that fuel a manufacturing sector not seen in Ohio since the boom of the auto industry decades ago. If this bill passes and fails to transform Ohio's' business climate, then who will our state politicians blame? As Ohioans, do we really want to let the blame game continue for another decade, or do we want the opportunity to decide and chart the course for Ohio's future?

Ohio's budget, taxation policies, and economic initiatives are too big to let our state politicians decide what they should be. I am confident that regular, common folk Ohioans have better ideas than many of our elected officials. Ohioans have been governing our own personal checkbooks for years, and while we may face personal setbacks at times, most of us figure out a way to land on our feet. If we lose an income in our house, we cut out unnecessary expenses and are forced to live within our means. For the majority of Ohioans, we are making it through this economic mess, but as Ohioans, can we come together to apply those same governing principles in our homes to our government? If I am forced to consolidate and streamline in my house, why can't we do the same with government? Imagine if we combined our library system with our education system. Our local governments could own fewer buildings, offer work-study programs for high school and college students to work at the libraries, and consolidate the supply of books, all of which would reduce costs. It is these types of ideas that when elected officials are doing their jobs properly, let Ohioans govern themselves versus letting politicians govern us.

This is why HB 400 is so important to Ohio's future, not just in economic terms, but also in how Ohio moves forward with the freedom given to us by our Founders to govern ourselves. Any change in Ohio's tax code should not be left to just our 99 state representatives, 33 state senators, and our governor. Ohioans should have the ability to choose what services are deemed essential and how we want to be taxed to pay for those services. By voting, we can choose and chart the course of Ohio's future. Currently, our elected officials decide where and how much of our hard-earned money is spent. Our elected officials seem to forget that this money is a collective pool of money provided by Ohioans to pay for things like Medicaid, fire fighters, police officers, and teachers. It is time that Ohioans have the ability to come to a consensus through general elections on where we want that money to go. This is what the Founders wanted. It is our ability to self-govern our own lives, including government, which wholly encompasses the true meaning of freedom. No matter what ideas are generated to fix our state budget and reform Ohio, Ohioans need and should have the ability to decide. I am urging all Ohioans to get involved; for, we have a chance to exercise the freedoms our Founders wanted for us. Our state is in dire shape, and we let the politicians get us there. It is time we lead the politicians out of the hole they dug for us. It is time to restore freedom and democracy to its rightful owners, Ohio citizens. It is time to echo the cries of our Revolution generation, "No taxation without representation!" It is time to demand for the ability to vote on how and where our tax money is spent. It is time for Ohioans to reclaim our self-governing principles!

Thoughts on My Son’s School

Since Alexander started kindergarten, I have been bombarded by the school and PTA for requests for donations. There is the PTA, Market Day, fundraisers, book fairs, bake sales, carnivals, and a million other things to help bring money into the school. Now, they want us to help raise funds for a new playground at Edison. After attending Grandparents night tonight, I finally got a chance to really look at Edison's playground. It is huge, fairly new, and has tons of different kinds of equipment. Upon watching the children play, there is absolutely no reason that Edison needs a new playground.

We live in a time where everyone is being forced to tighten his or her belts. New taxes and fees are being laid upon all citizens. My property valuation went down almost $15K, but my property taxes barely reflected even a portion of that. I wanted to know where my tax dollars were going, so here is a snapshot of the district's funding and expenditures:

According to the newest reports, the Willoughby-Eastlake School District spends $10,119 per pupil. In 2006, the State Auditor's office did a regular audit of the district. In 2006, 69.4% of the school district's operating budget came from property taxes from seven different communities that comprise of the school district resulting in almost $56 million in revenues. It also received over $22 million in grants or entitlements. Overall, the district raked in $88 million for funding in 2006. In contrast, the district spent in 2006 about $47 million in salaries and only $1.7 million on textbooks. Here are some of the numbers:

EXPENSES
Instruction $47,531,769
Support Services:
Pupil and Instructional Staff 8,624,075
Board of Education,
Administration, Fiscal and Business 6,676,916
Operation and Maintenance of Plant 7,958,701
Pupil Transportation 5,800,049
Central 953,742
Operation of Non-Instructional Services 1,019,977
Extracurricular Activities 1,843,765
Interest and Fiscal Charges 81,291
Total Expenses $80,490,285

Revenues
Program Revenues:
Charges for Services $2,043,985
Operating Grants and Contributions 4,955,953
Capital Grants 42,000
Total Program Revenues 7,041,938
General Revenues:
Property Taxes 55,893,612
Grant and Entitlements 22,095,756
Investment Earnings 934,566
Miscellaneous 234,051
Total General Revenues 79,157,985

source: http://www.auditor.state.oh.us/auditsearch/Reports/2007/Willoughby_Eastlake_City_School_District_06-Lake.pdf

So we have a large school district that spends $10,119 per pupil and is rated excellent. While, the district will have spent $10K to educate my child for 180 days, I have spent hundreds of dollars in supplemental materials to ensure that Alexander is learning what he should. Now, the school wants me to give them more money for a playground. How will a playground teach my child how to read and write? Will it teach him basic arithmetic skills? Will a new playground teach Edison's music teacher common sense and the importance of teaching The Star Spangled Banner before O' Canada? Will it help teach him the history of our nation and world? Will it reinforce things that he learns about science? Finally, will a new playground teach my child and other children how to think logically and critically? I don't think so. I think the school needs to quit reaching into the citizens' pockets for materials that do nothing to support their main objective of education. If Edison wants a new playground that badly, maybe they need to rework their budget. They can start with firing that music teacher. If they did that, maybe, just maybe, I would consider donating money for a new playground. If the school came to me asking for money to replace the very old library books that Alexander comes home with every week, I would oblige. Books not playgrounds help children learn.

Really, the bottom line is: government entities, like businesses, must learn to do more with less, just like average Americans have to do.

A playground, just like a trip to Disney World is a want. It is not needed. The children will be just fine with the playground that they have.