Both the federal government and state governments have legitimate but limited powers including those to protect the environment and soil and water resources. Too often the federal government exceeds its legitimate but limited powers and dictates requirements to both the citizens and the states in ways that are not constitutional and are not even authorized by Congressional statute. This is not a legitimate or ethical use of power and is not effective at meeting the true obligations of government. Recently, for example, the U.S. EPA has attempted to redefine the navigable waterways of the U.S. as virtually unlimited and unconnected to actual statue or existing Supreme Court rulings. In time this will probably be corrected but for now it remains an obstacle to both effective government and individual liberty.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
The proper relationship of the federal government with local authority
Both the federal government and state governments have legitimate but limited powers including those to protect the environment and soil and water resources. Too often the federal government exceeds its legitimate but limited powers and dictates requirements to both the citizens and the states in ways that are not constitutional and are not even authorized by Congressional statute. This is not a legitimate or ethical use of power and is not effective at meeting the true obligations of government. Recently, for example, the U.S. EPA has attempted to redefine the navigable waterways of the U.S. as virtually unlimited and unconnected to actual statue or existing Supreme Court rulings. In time this will probably be corrected but for now it remains an obstacle to both effective government and individual liberty.
