The Limits of Government

So, If I say the purpose of government is to secure the rights of the people (as the Declaration of Independence says), what then is the scope of government. What do people mean by limited government or small government? This is a question for the U.S. Constitution. 

Some people have used the Constitution as an excuse for government expansion. The Preamble says that "We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and Secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity...." This has been used by many as guidelines for the purpose of and scope of government. This, however, is not what the Constitution is saying. Government is not supposed to promote the general welfare, for instance. Rather, in order to promote general welfare, the Constitution lays down the rules of government. Do you see the difference?

The Limits of government are laid out in the 10th Amendment (a favorite of a libertarian friend of mine)."The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people." In other words, the scope of the US government is limited to the scope specifically laid out in the Constitution. Many people talk about "The constitution doesn't grant you that right!" but this is totally backwards. If the Constitution does not grant government the ability to get involved, then it is they who do not have rights on issues the Constitution is silent on. The purpose of Amendments are to add to the powers of the Federal government, or to add clarity to the relationship of the states with each other and their people. So by "limited government", I don't mean that I want a government as small as possible. I mean I want a government limited to the bounds the Constitution grants it.

(More about this can be found at my friend Joel's blog, at http://the3rdamericanrevolution.blogspot.com/ -- a great Libertarian blog that predates mine)