The Modern American Government
Too Big, Unaccountable, and Failing Its Core Purpose
“Paine’s ‘Common Sense’ serves as a reminder of the origin and design of government in America”
Photo Credit: Unseen Histories from Unsplash In his seminal work, "Common Sense", Thomas Paine outlined the fundamental purpose of government: to accomplish what individuals cannot achieve on their own, with a particular emphasis on freedom and security. By articulating the difference between society and government, one being produced by our wants and the other by our wickedness, Paine states that “society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state is a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one; for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without a government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer”. Paine published his anonymous pamphlet to the American colonies to enlighten his peers on the prospectus of independence from the British Monarchy and the formation of a new form of government.
At the heart of his argument is the idea that if man were perfect, there would be no need for a government. He elaborates, “But that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish the means for the protection of the rest… Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government”. Paine illustrates his point through a hypothetical scenario in which “a small group of people settle in some sequestered part of the earth, unconnected with the rest”. He contends that the natural first progression would be the formation of a society given the innate recognition of humans that the whole is greater than the parts. That is, we as people can accomplish more together than any individual, whether that be to build shelter, collect food, or provide other essential services.
As these people unite around the common cause and the natural gravitation towards a functioning free society grows, the people “will begin to relax in their duty and attachment to each other; and this remissness will point out the necessity of establishing some form of government to supply the defect of moral virtue”. In its infancy, Paine explains, the whole colony would meet under a big tree where “their first laws will have the title only of regulations, and be enforced by no other penalty than public disesteem. In this first parliament every man, by natural right, will have a seat”. As time goes on and the colony and public concern grows, it will become inefficient for every member to have a seat and meet on every occasion. The colony will conclude that legislation ought to be delegated to a number of people who will serve the whole society as representatives; as the representatives share common concerns with the masses, the government will proceed as if everyone were still present. “It will be found best to divide the whole into convenient parts, each part sending its proper number; and that the elected might never form to themselves an interest separate from the electors, prudence will point out the propriety of having elections often”. With this new system in place, along with regular elections, the ideal would be for those elected to return to work alongside the electors and create a healthy interchange of representatives that ensures loyalty to the public – there would not be life-long representatives.
With frequent interchange of the elected and the electors, there will remain, as Paine explains, “a common interest with every part of the community, they will mutually and naturally support each other, and on this depends the strength of government and the happiness of the governed”. In this form of government, it is unnatural to have career representatives and essential to have regular interchange of elected representatives to ensure that they relate to and remain focused on the concerns of the people. It is a mutual agreement, in which the success of the government is determined by its effectiveness and the satisfaction of the governed. “Here, then, is the origin and rise of government; namely a mode rendered necessary by the moral virtue to govern the world; here too is the design and end of government; freedom and security”. Paine’s hypothetical illustration of the natural progression and development of government highlights the critical idea that it is necessity, not desire, that people agree to live under a government. The conscious decision to form a government, for and by the people, is unique in comparison to other nations around the world. However, it seems that in our society today, there is very little happiness or satisfaction from the governed. People do not feel represented by their government, which has grown exponentially and become unaccountable to its constituents. Political representation has evolved into an elite career where once in office, many people seem to enrich themselves, pursue self interest, insulate themselves from the desires of their constituents, and ultimately abandon their natural “fidelity to the public.”
As we reflect on today’s America, “Common Sense” serves as a reminder that the government is for the people. The words of this pamphlet were crucial to convincing the masses at the time to support independence, even though there was uncertainty where that would lead. With a population of over 335 million people and growing, it’s obvious that the government in America today cannot reasonably operate exactly the way Paine describes in the hypothetical scenario, but that is not the point. The point is in the origin and design of government - in understanding this, the country might maintain a government for the people, regardless of the size of the population. We have strayed from this ideal!
While Paine's ideas remain timeless, a critical question must be asked about the modern American government: has it grown too big and unaccountable? Has the government failed to fulfill its core mandate of ensuring security and addressing the needs of its citizens?
Security: The Primary Role of Government
Paine argued that the government exists to safeguard the inherent rights of individuals, protect them from external threats, and ensure internal order. With the passage of time, the U.S. government has assumed numerous roles far beyond these core responsibilities and failed to effectively uphold its end of the agreement, maybe most importantly as it relates to security. Given the rise of geopolitical instability over the past several years, security is appropriately a top concern for American citizens.
The Wide-Open Southern Border
One significant area where the U.S. government has raised security concerns is at the southern border. As of October 17th, 2023, statistics reveal a situation of growing alarm. The number of illegal border crossings has surged, contributing to security challenges in the United States. The current administration's approach to border security has been criticized for being lax and inconsistent, undermining the fundamental responsibility of the government to protect its citizens.
Without a secure and functioning border, there is no American sovereignty. The failure to address the issue at our southern border has evolved into intentional disregard for protecting American citizens and communities.
Inadequate Prosecution and Law Enforcement
Another critical aspect of the government's role in ensuring security is the prosecution of criminals. While many dedicated law enforcement officers strive to maintain order, there are growing concerns regarding prosecutorial discretion, misconduct, and general inconsistency. Some district attorneys have adopted a lenient approach, failing to punish repeat offenders and violent criminals. This not only undermines the safety and security of communities, but also erodes public trust in the justice system.
This, coupled with the defund the police movement and cashless bail, has led to rampant and blatant crime in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicaso, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. (just to name a few). These cities, once the crown jewels of our country, are saddled with crime and illegal immigration crisis, which stress budgets and hinder the government’s ability to deliver a high quality of living for citizens.
Weakness and Instability on the World Stage
Furthermore, the actions of the modern American government have had implications on the international stage. The United States has often taken on the role of a global leader, promoting stability and peace. However, recent weaknesses and policy inconsistencies have raised doubts about the nation's capacity to maintain global stability. From foreign policy decisions to defense budget allocations, there is growing concern that the U.S. government's reach has outgrown its effectiveness.
The historically chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan was a catalyst for the destabilization we see playing out today. Since then, we have seen a war break out in eastern Europe and the Middle East, with threats in Asia looming. Our government is not effectively securing its citizens through foreign policy
Disarming Law-Abiding Citizens
Simultaneously, there is an ongoing debate in the United States regarding gun control policies. The government's call to disarm law-abiding citizens is a contentious issue. The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution enshrines the right to bear arms as a fundamental individual right, a notion that aligns with Thomas Paine's idea of government protecting individual rights. However, the government's attempts to impose stricter gun control measures raise questions about the infringement on the rights and security of law-abiding citizens.
The threat to the second Amendment is not new. For decades, this conversation around gun control seems to ignore the reality that America is a permanently armed society. With the security threats present in our society today, the ability and right to defend yourself must be defended.
The Impact of a Bloated and Unaccountable Government
As Thomas Paine wisely noted, an essential function of government is to provide security and protect the rights of its citizens. When the government expands its scope beyond these core responsibilities and becomes unaccountable, it undermines the very principles upon which the nation was founded. A government that is too big and unaccountable risks inefficiency, overreach, and a loss of focus on its primary obligations.
The consequences of a government that fails to fulfill its core role can be dire. The porous southern border, ineffective prosecution of criminals (or lack thereof), incompetence on the world stage, and calls to disarm law-abiding citizens are clear indications of a government stretched beyond its limits, creating vulnerabilities and undermining the security of its citizens. This departure from Thomas Paine's vision of government as a necessary protector of individual rights and security is a cause for concern. The government's duty is to provide security and protect the rights of its citizens. However, its increasing size, coupled with a lack of accountability, has led to failures in fulfilling these core responsibilities. As we reflect on these issues, it is essential to ensure that government actions align with its fundamental purpose, safeguarding the rights and security of the nation's citizens, as envisioned by Thomas Paine.
