Converation thread

The States, as sovereign, independent Republics, specifically delegated enumerated, clearly listed and defined powers to the general government under a compact, or contract, entitled "The Constitution of the United States." They did it much as individuals agree to a contract. And since the powers are listed, whenever the general government deviates from the terms of the contract by doing anything not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, its acts are, as the Kentucky State Legislature said, "null, void, and of no force." Whenever the general (federal) government does anything not mentioned in the Constitution, it thus breaks its contract with the States that ratified and thus each individual State can respond in kind by nullifying the law (refusing to obey it within its own borders) or secede from the Union. In short, the General Welfare Clause is sadly often misconstrued by Statists in favor of unlimited government.

As for public transportation, privatization would indeed benefit society because the less government there is the better for the public good. As James Madison said, "if men were angels, no government would be necessary." That's the part you're usually told, but watch what he says next. "If angels were to govern men, neither internal nor external limitations on government would be necessary." Because government is the most corruptible of all human institutions, it must be put at an absolute minimum, and becoming involved in public transportation is certainly one way in which it is overstepping its authority. Its only legitimate purpose is to defend the rights of its people and whenever it moves beyond that it is tyrannical, ultimately. Plus, privatization would generate competition and produce a more excellent service than government could ever provide. In summary, the less government, the better.