Each state would have backed up its money system with precious metals in order to stay solvent. Amendments to the Articles, approved by ALL states, could have addressed usage and exchange.
Competing tariffs among States would have invigorated the economy. If the Northern State slapped a high tariff on British imports, Southern ones could have lowered theirs, meaning more ships in their harbors and more customers.
If South Carolina got too greedy and raised its taxes on cotton, a foreign company could have turned around and bought it from Georgia…and so on. Costs would have been determined, not by a federal government that sets artificial prices, but by a free market that regulates itself.
Businesses wanting to survive would have adjusted accordingly to market demands rather than petitioning the central government for a bailout. Tariffs would have lined up with the supply and demand of the market, not the government.
If States were unable to resolve their commercial issues, Congress would have adjudicated—a Congress comprised not of career politicians, but ambassadors…each with a one-year limit and able to be recalled by their State.
Congress could not have directly taxed the people. The central government was dependent upon the States for financial support to carry out its limited duties, and this arrangement of "merit pay" was designed to keep them in line.
Congress could not have drafted troops. If war had been declared, a request for troops had to be sent to each State, which maintained its own militia of armed citizens.
The Constitution was the product of power brokers who envisioned an elite ruling class. It was intended to be open to interpretation from the outset, and then only by a handful of savvy, foresighted intellectuals with personal agendas.
As a result, we now have a "one-size-fits all "empirical monster that tyrannizes people at home and abroad, and uses the lie of "chosen and exceptional" as an excuse for its actions.
It's sad that many Americans were duped from the get-go; but today, despite the evidence, the majority of Americans choose to deny the truth and live under the deception--two hundred and twenty-three years later! In fact, one of the most popular paintings in conservative circles today on the market today is Jesus holding the Constitution! (One Nation Under God)
It is promising to see States arising in righteous anger to invoke the full power of the 10th Amendment. Nullification is a formidable tool, but these incendiary tactics will not go unchallenged by Uncle Sam. I hate to say it, but even the system at the state level is saturated with federal sell-outs. Still, if you're not familiar with the Nullification Movement, read Thomas Wood's excellent book and get connected to activists in your state.
Articles of Confederation vs. the Constitution
Articles of Confederation | Constitution | |
| Levying taxes | Congress could request states to pay taxes | Congress has right to levy taxes on individuals |
| Federal courts | No system of federal courts | Court system created to deal with issues between citizens, states |
| Regulation of trade | No provision to regulate interstate trade | Congress has right to regulate trade between states |
| Executive | No executive with power. President of U.S. merely presided over Congress | Executive branch headed by President who chooses Cabinet and has checks on power of judiciary and legislature |
| Amending document | 13/13 needed to amend Articles | 2/3 of both houses of Congress plus 3/4 of state legislatures or national convention |
| Representation of states | Each state received 1 vote regardless of size | Upper house (Senate) with 2 votes; lower house (House of Representatives) based on population |
| Raising an army | Congress could not draft troops and was dependent on states to contribute forces | Congress can raise an army to deal with military situations |
| Interstate commerce | No control of trade between states | Interstate commerce controlled by Congress |
| Disputes between states | Complicated system of arbitration | Federal court system to handle disputes between states and residents of different states. |
| Sovereignty | Sovereignty resides in states | Constitution was established as the supreme law of the land |
| Passing laws | 9/13 states needed to approve legislation | 50%+1 of both houses plus signature of President |
http://home.earthlink.net/~gfeldmeth/USHistory.html (31 March 1998).
Where does this leave us?
Is it even possible to return to a form of government similar to the Articles of Confederation?
Yes, but not in the way the average American has been trained to think.
First, teach your children--America's future patriots--the real history of the Constitution. Take every opportunity to expound upon the freedom-granting brilliance of the Articles of Confederation to anyone who'll listen.
Be clear about who hi-jacked it and why. Make sure you explain how portions of the new document called the Constitution were intentionally worded so that only a conveniently placed class of lawyers could "rightly" interpret it toward personal gain.
Many people accuse me of trashing the Constitution altogether, but that's not true. No doubt, you'll be accused of it, too, if you stick to the REAL story.
"Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government". ~ James Madison
Yeah. Madison said that. Words have a way of coming back to haunt us, don't they?
It would be thrilling if the folks in Washington governed within Constitutional limits, but I really believe we have passed the restore point. That "holy grail" was trashed long before I arrived on the scene by proponents of the "make it up" as you go" rule; and their modern progeny will not relinquish any power or allow it to be diminished, much less challenged, without one hell of a fight. King George didn't; neither did King Lincoln!
Try to reboot it all you want with regime changes, but no political party will govern by the Constitution anymore; no branch of government will truthfully abide by its precepts, despite their pompous, public oath. If the Constitution was powerless to make a strong, central government "behave" in the past, despite the pleas of the people, how can it in the future? The answer lies in NOT having a strong, autonomous central government!
Simply compare the Constitution-trashing decisions in BOTH the Bush (Republicans) and Obama (Democrats) regimes.
Change will not come from the top down!
Serious, liberty-minded people are getting together in small, non-assuming groups. They realize the importance of networking to establish low-key "zones of liberty" in small places that employ the style of governance found in the Articles of Confederation. These networks can range from internet associations to literal communities...from doing business the old-fashioned way with trusted freedom-lovers to establishing working "townships".
They transact through bartering, alternative currencies, and time banks. They settle their own disputes and seek to become more self-contained through cottage industries and farms.
As these communities continue to spring up, they will naturally form confederation style relationships with like-minded networks throughout their region for mutual benefit and protection. And, if these communities remain faithful to governing principles similar to the Articles of Confederation, I believe they can prevail—even peaceably—against over-reaching federalism.
Some Americans have already moved to States with less invasive laws against privacy, finances, and family values (such as homeschooling, religious convictions, and discipline). Check out Free State Project and the Republic of Lakotah.
Stay current with the news and secessionist movements. As the dollar dives and our economy implodes, and as wars escalate under the very real threat of drafting our children into military or government service, secession remains a viable option for States.
How quickly would your family be able to relocate to a seceding state before the Feds took punitive measures? It is something that requires serious thought and planning, especially if a nearby state offers sanctuary to your children against conscription.
Regardless, it is up to YOU, not the government, to chart the course of your life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
Believe me; they have a plan, just like Hamilton. Do you?
"It is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts…For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it." ~ Patrick Henry
Have you read the entire series?
Part I
Part II
Try to reboot it all you want with regime changes, but no political party will govern by the Constitution anymore; no branch of government will truthfully abide by its precepts, despite their pompous, public oath. If the Constitution was powerless to make a strong, central government "behave" in the past, despite the pleas of the people, how can it in the future? The answer lies in NOT having a strong, autonomous central government!
Simply compare the Constitution-trashing decisions in BOTH the Bush (Republicans) and Obama (Democrats) regimes.
Change will not come from the top down!
Serious, liberty-minded people are getting together in small, non-assuming groups. They realize the importance of networking to establish low-key "zones of liberty" in small places that employ the style of governance found in the Articles of Confederation. These networks can range from internet associations to literal communities...from doing business the old-fashioned way with trusted freedom-lovers to establishing working "townships".
They transact through bartering, alternative currencies, and time banks. They settle their own disputes and seek to become more self-contained through cottage industries and farms.
As these communities continue to spring up, they will naturally form confederation style relationships with like-minded networks throughout their region for mutual benefit and protection. And, if these communities remain faithful to governing principles similar to the Articles of Confederation, I believe they can prevail—even peaceably—against over-reaching federalism.
Some Americans have already moved to States with less invasive laws against privacy, finances, and family values (such as homeschooling, religious convictions, and discipline). Check out Free State Project and the Republic of Lakotah.
Stay current with the news and secessionist movements. As the dollar dives and our economy implodes, and as wars escalate under the very real threat of drafting our children into military or government service, secession remains a viable option for States.
How quickly would your family be able to relocate to a seceding state before the Feds took punitive measures? It is something that requires serious thought and planning, especially if a nearby state offers sanctuary to your children against conscription.
Regardless, it is up to YOU, not the government, to chart the course of your life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
Believe me; they have a plan, just like Hamilton. Do you?
"It is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts…For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it." ~ Patrick Henry
Have you read the entire series?
Part I
Part II
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