by k_semler » Wed 18 May 2005, 01:33:04
Good point, the post PO collapse will likely result in the devolution of the United States of America, and render the federal authority rendered irrelevant, maybe even non-existent. However, considering the roman empire took close to 300 years to completely collapse, I would not count on the complete devolution of the USA within my life time. Yes, the roman empire collapsed from the outside in, but the US will probably break into segments. Eastern Washington could probably be included in the "thinks alike" category of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas, but unfortunately Seattle gets pretty much what it desires.
I remember back in 2000, there was talk on KREM2 about Eastern Washington forming its own state because of the way that the state went in the election. The more I think about this, the better it seems to be. We could have Spokane as our capital city, and have a system that adopts Idaho regulations regarding class 3 weapons, but have no income tax, or "sin tax" associated with alcohol and tobacco. We could be closer to freedom then WA state has ever been. The more I think about how Eastern WA could be without the leftist influence of the west side of Washington. I would bet that eastern WA would be closer to Idaho in how its policies are executed, but western WA would journey even closer to where CA currently is. Both sides involved would see benefit out of this arrangement. I cannot see why this has not been done.
The thing is, I do not want to wait for 15-30 years for the federal government to become even more restrictive upon our natural given rights, and protecting us from ourselves while taxing us to oblivion. I do not want to wait for 50 years for the devolution of the USA to get to the point where what DC desires no longer has even the remotest impact upon my life. I want freedom to do, say, own, possesss, and think anything I want to without worrying about if DC will dictate to me that I can't do that without paying them an extortion fee. I for one am completly sick of federal intervention upon what should be only matters of local concern. If I want to grow 500 acres of marijuana, (not that that much would even grow around here anyway), if I am not engaging in interstate commerce with my product, then they have no constitutional basis to restrict me from selling my product. If I want to assemble my own FA MG42 and blow the hell out of hills on my own land, then what right does the federal authorities 3000 miles away, or state authorities 400 miles away to prohibit me from doing so? If it does not endanger anyone else's safety, what concern is it of theirs what I decide to own and use? Both of these authorities have virtually no clue about local issues, and what is "safe" for an area.
The federal government's only legitimate purpose is already set forth in the US Constitution, and they have violated the very principal upon which it was founded. I feel that the only purpose of a state government is to represent the interests of the people residing within that state at a centeralized location, but they should have no right to restrict the regulations of a locality if it does not impact other localities. The state government should only be concerned with activities that affect more than one jurisdiction. County and town governments is where the power should lie, the will of the majority will best be reflected on this level. The regulations that impact solely within that jurisdiction should be under the authority of that locality. However, since I live in an unincorporated area, the City of Colton should have no legal jurisdiction over what I do. I live 3 miles outside of their city limits, and fall under the county regulations.
I wonder if it will ever devolve, (or evolve as I see it), into a situation like this? Where each government level is only concerned with what impacts them directly. What concern is it of someone 3000, 400, or 100 miles away if I distill my own shine, smoke some marijuana, blow up a hill on my land, or waste 1000 rounds of ammunition in an hour with a FA weapon? That should be a concern of my neighbors and county officials, (or city officials if located in town), but not the federal or state authorities. I sincerely hope that some day this situation does come to pass, although the section regarding "interstate commerce" should be repealed. What is transported between states, or any business transaction done between states should be matters only concerning those parties involved. The federal authorities should not interfere in interstate trading unless asked by a party involved to do so.
Here Lies the United States Of America.
July 04, 1776 - June 23 2005
Epitaph: "The Experiment Is Over."
Rest In Peace.
Eminent Domain Was The Murderer.