From Deseret News archives:
Let's make job of president doable again
I support John McCain for president, but in one sense I'm not sure it matters who is elected. Whoever wins, the next president is doomed to fail in many ways. The reason is that the job description for president has become impossible. Any president is set up for failure because the expectations of the job are so enormous as to be unattainable.
Over many decades, the federal government, contrary to the clear intent of the nation's founders, has invaded every aspect of our lives. It has become immense in size, reach and expense. Every problem anyone faces has become a federal problem. Presidential candidates (except quirky Ron Paul, who says he doesn't want to run your life, your business, the economy or the world) make it worse by promising to solve every problem, usually by further expansion and expense of the federal government.
The states were protected from a potentially ambitious and overbearing federal government by the 10th Amendment, reserving any power not specifically delegated to the national government to the states and the people. It is part of the Bill of Rights, designed to defend the basic rights of the people. States refused to ratify the Constitution until that amendment was in place. States were also protected by the fact that U.S. senators were elected by state legislators. Any senator who voted to usurp state authority or impose an unfunded mandate would be jerked back home in a hurry.
Today, balanced federalism is dead and gone. It's not even an afterthought. No one even talks about federalism any more. Candidates don't even think about the roles of federal, state and local governments and what services can best be delivered by what level of government. We just assume federal supremacy in every aspect of our lives and society.
Recent comments
Eric,
LaVarr didn't say that the internet would usher in the...
David | June 16, 2008 at 7:41 a.m.
Reall, I tried reading the column without Pignanelli here. Can't...
I Tried... | June 15, 2008 at 3:33 p.m.
Hogwash Lavarr. How exactly is the internet which is loosely...
Eric | June 15, 2008 at 10:03 a.m.
- Two American pilots die in Iraq 12:47 a.m.
- Murder suspect is vetran, avid skier 12:47 a.m.
- MLB: Zambrano's mom kidnapped 12:32 a.m.
- Lambert surprisingly tops news 12:25 a.m.
- Philadelphia transit strike ends 12:25 a.m.
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd 12:24 a.m.
- 12 high schools ready for 'The Turf' 12:17 a.m.
- RSL unfazed by conference final 12:17 a.m.
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated 12:17 a.m.
- Today on TV 12:13 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
216 - House passes health care bill
202 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
151 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
129 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
103 - Provo company innovating engines
102 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89 - BYU cuts Women's Research Institute
88
Once again we see a young player who signs for guaranteed $ millions and...
Proigram Worked for you, but did not work for me. I would have preferred...
The Obama depression is coming our way. Impeach the fool before he destroys...
At least you can continue preaching to the choir here at Des News. Never...
My candidate won, YOURS LOST! The American people voted for a President who...
this comes across as written by someone who lives their whole life based on...
I'm more worried about who the Jazz will pick with their own lottery pick...
Why would they walk over them? Why didn't they just walk around them?
About as funny as eight years with GWB, Cheney, Rove and the boys. Hopefully...
I actually think you have the most reasonable argument and prediction on...

