The 5000 Year Leap

DaraDee bought me a book a couple of months ago. Somehow, I didn't realize that she had purchased the book specifically for me, I thought that it was something for her book group. They've been reading the Federalist Papers. Anyway, I glanced at this book and the title "The 5000 Year Leap" and didn't persue it with much enthusiasm.

A few weeks later, I realized what she had purchased for me. W. Cleon Skousen's work on the Constitution and Bill of Rights and the reasons why they are different and revolutionary. I'd actually read part of these books as a teen because my father actually met Dr. Skousen back in the 1980's and was part of a multi-week study course containing his material.

So, when the realization hit me that "this was the book", I dove in reading with earnest. Unfortunately, the biggest change that this book has had in my life is to render me quite upset and dissatisfied with those in pollitical office who are either unknowingly, complicitly, or explicitly breaking the supreme laws of the land. I'm left with questions that don't have good answers:

• Why, after 200+ years of amazing achievement, do the polliticians still want to model our government after those in Europe that have given us two world wars?
• How did the states become convinced to ratify the 16th and 17th amendments, effectively removing the States' checks and balances from the Congress and giving an unlimited ability to tax the individuals of our country?
• Why was I taught in US History that the new deal saved our country from the great depression, and other socialist propaganda rather than simply shown the facts of increasing federal spending and programs, and worsening unemployment? It was only the manufacturing boom of World War II and the increased saving (via war bonds) that pulled us out of the great depression and led to the economic prosperity of the 50s and 60s.
• Why was John F. Kennedy allowed by the states to mobilize the State Militia to fight in foreign wars? This clearly illegal act has never been challenged by any state governor, and continues to this day in Iraq and Afganistan.
• Why does the President legislate through executive orders?
• Why does the Supreme Court legislate through wildly creative interpretations of a very clear and simple document (our Constitution)?
• Why do we have all kinds of federal agencies that (via personal taxes) appropriate our money, then blackmail our states into fulfilling the mandates of bureaucrats by withholding the same money if their programs aren't implemented?

What do I do about it?

So I wrote my congressmen and representative a nice letter telling them that I am very concerned with the actions of all three branches of government; that I support repealing the 16th and 17th amendments, and that deficit budgets should only be allowed in the case of war or specific emergency as ratified by congress, and then only if the debt is repaid in the generation (within 20 years) of the deficit.

I still don't feel any better.

Where can I join the "federalist party"?