Distrusting Government

Hey hung up Mr Normal
Don't try and gain my trust
'Cause you ain't gonna follow me in any of those ways
Although you think you must
--The Who

Recently, President Obama attempted to paint those who distrust government as misguided or extreme. Rand Paul countered, observing that America was founded in the spirit of distrust of government. Truth is on RP's side, as Walter Williams demonstrates. Not only is public distrust of government growing, but the original design, as well as comments from the framers, are all consistent with the understanding that government power must be carefully metered.

Williams observes that even the Supreme Court, who many have bowed to as having the ultimate authority in all things legal, is not to be trusted. He quotes Thomas Jefferson:

"To consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions is a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy."

Jefferson and Madison penned the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts of the late 1790s. They stated that Americans are not bound to unlimited submission to laws enacted by the federal government that exceed its constitutional powers. In such instances, citizens can choose not to obey, or nullify, the law.

Nullification and its close cousin secession are ultimate expressions of distrust in government. Two hundred and thirty seven years ago, we chose not to obey.