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To the editor:
The landmark case Wickard v. Filburn significantly altered the Federal government's power. The 1942 SCOTUS ruling essentially declared what the federal government subsidizes, it shall control. An old story from a great American, Tom Anderson, tells us what Federal Aid really is:
"Once upon a time two hunters went in freezing cold weather deep in the woods with their dogs. They got lost, ran out of food and were freezing and starving. So they cut off the dogs tails and put them in a pot to boil. Ate the dogs tails, and tossed the morsels to the dogs. And the dogs licked their masters hands in gratitude. That's Federal Aid."
As Madison said: "But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself."
Our current government reflects our current electorate. We do not have individuals in office to vote consistently in concert with the U.S. Constitution because we do not have a moral citizenry that covets liberty. We have moved from maximum freedom requiring individual responsibility to the nanny state; with the collective will replacing individual will. Name any current state of affairs and you will be able to trace the root back to a Federal Aid control. The electorate no longer restrains the statesman because they too easily accept Federal funds. If we truly want things to change, we need the moral courage to say no to federal handouts.
- Russ Payne,
Merrimack
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