I’ve said it for years. The secret to less bickering between political ideologies in this country lies within the U.S. Constitution itself. It’s known as the Tenth Amendment– and is otherwise referred to as “State’s Rights”:
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
Think of it, Republicans and Democrats spend a good chunk of time in Washington working to impose one party’s will on the entire nation. The current health care debate is a great example. On the one hand, we have “Obamacare”. On the other, we have “Trumpcare”. Whatever the differences are between the two plans, one thing is the same– both will be imposed upon the entire nation. It need not be this way.
Health care isn’t the only example. There are a myriad of other issues. The War on Drugs, gay marriage, education, welfare issues, and the list goes on. Why constantly badger back and forth at the national level about what can be done to force a single centralized standard on the whole country? Especially when we don’t have to.
The Tenth Amendment can be a beautiful thing.
If liberal Massachusetts decides that it wants single payer health care, then let them have it.
If Connecticut wants gay marriage, leave them alone.
If Arizona wants Education Savings Accounts, so be it.
But we need not force these things in a centralized one-size-fits-all manner. If a state adopts a policy or program that someone disagrees with, then they could move to a neighboring state that better fits what they stand for.
What are citizens to do when these types of issues are forced upon the entire nation? Moving to Canada or Mexico isn’t exactly a viable option.
Now, embracing the Tenth Amendment most certainly requires a reduction in the size and scope of the federal government. An idea that – for the most part – has been advocated for by small government types. But I’m telling you that it need not be this way. The Tenth Amendment is for everyone– liberals, conservatives, libertarians, constitutionalists, etc. And embracing it is the secret to a happier people, less bickering, and a more peaceful society.
