The American Experiment

The American Experiment is probably an overused phrase - but the shoe seems to fit.

It's not popular to be overly patriotic anymore. I'm careful to be gushy about the U.S. myself, but I'm amazed at times by our nation. The colonies that made up the United States were the first to free themselves from European colonial powers - by a hundred years almost. The United States Constitution was the first of its kind. It is the shortest and oldest constitution of any major government in existence today. Ironically, we are the most powerful nation in the world - second place isn't even close - for now. Our Constitution is an astonishing human accomplishment and something to be proud of.

The form of government that it established goes against human nature. Hundreds of years of war and oppression in Europe led The Founders to something radical - popular sovereignty. Europe laughed. "How stupid are these Americans? The people can't rule. They are ignorant! They need an overarching government/ruler to make sure they don't screw things up." Europe thought this Experiment would never work. It wasn't until after the War of 1812 that the world began to respect this young nation and her short, seemingly insufficient guide/rules for government (not so much rules for the people).

Indeed America is an Experiment. Will we be able to sustain the trend away from human nature where the powerful tend to oppress the weak - by convincing the weak they can't do it themselves?

The 10th Amendment exists for a reason. The Constitution exists for a reason. To limit the power of our Federal government. I stand with Governor Perry on the issue of State's Rights. Texas may be thriving more than any other state these days, precisely because we believe in limited government.