Other recent articles under: States Rights as of Oct 21, 2010
Topic: States Rights
I'm Still a Democrat!
The Democratic Party Platform of 1912 contains verbage proving that Democrats are veiled Constitutional-libertarians. States Rights was just as importan to Democrats then as it is now. by Ken D. Berry, MD
(libertarian)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
In my ongoing quest to prove that Democrats are merely confused and misguided Constitution-libertarians, I have unearthed yet another hidden treasure revealing the deep and abiding faith of the Democratic Party in States Rights. If you will look here at the platform of the 1912 Democratic Party you will find the following quote:
Rights of the StatesWe believe in the preservation and maintenance in their full strength and integrity of the three co-ordinate branches of the Federal governmentthe executive, the legislative, and the judicialeach keeping within its own bounds and not encroaching upon the just powers of either of the others.Believing that the most efficient results under our system of government are to be attained by the full exercise by the States of their reserved sovereign powers, we denounce as usurpation the efforts of our opponents to deprive the States of any of the rights reserved to them, and to enlarge and magnify by indirection the powers of the Federal government.We insist upon the full exercise of all the powers of the Government, both State and national, to protect the people from injustice at the hands of those who seek to make the government a private asset in business. There is no twilight zone between the nation and the State in which exploiting interests can take refuge from both. It is as necessary that the Federal government shall exercise the powers delegated to it as it is that the States shall exercise the powers reserved to them, but we insist that Federal remedies for the regulation of interstate commerce and for the prevention of private monopoly, shall be added to, and not substituted for State remedies.
This language is stunning to say the least. I could pull it apart and kiss it, word by juicy word... After reading this, who among us can doubt the Democratics undying faith in power and truth of the States Rights doctrine? This is the beautiful eloquence of political language that once was, and must be again. The rebirth of the American Republic requires thought of this depth and breadth.
Modern Democrats may initially be put off by this passage, but further reading and study will reveal to them what they have known all along, that over-reaching federal power always curtails the liberties of The People. That the 1912 Democrats believed this strongly in the absolute sovereignty of States Rights makes it a little easier to overlook other comments in this document about income tax and popular election of Senators...
Continue to prepare fellow Americans, the rebirth of Liberty is at hand.
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The views expressed
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Posted By: Adrian S.
Date: October 23, 2010 05:19:37 PM
Congratulations, Ken. You're not alone. Long ago, I concluded that the Old Guard Republicans many libertarians adore like McFadden, Taft, and Goldwater were the ones who co-opted the Republican Party, not the neocons. Unfortunately, many libertarians are only partial students of history. As Ahov has shown, many can't imagine reconciling the facts with their prejudices and working to return the Democratic Party to its roots. What you've dug up could help educate many libertarians, if that is what you're trying to do.
Posted By: Ahov
Date: December 24, 2010 03:50:46 AM
The Democratic Party Platform of 1912 contains verbage proving that Democrats are veiled Constitutional-libertarians. States Rights was just as importan to Democrats then as it is now.
I'm going to repeat what I said here for continuity.
Bourbon Democrats cannot be compared to ANY of the current Democrats in office. The neo-liberals in Congress care about federal power and "fairness" as in laws applying to all states.
Congratulations, Ken. You're not alone. Long ago, I concluded that the Old Guard Republicans many libertarians adore like McFadden, Taft, and Goldwater were the ones who co-opted the Republican Party, not the neocons. Unfortunately, many libertarians are only partial students of history. As Ahov has shown, many can't imagine reconciling the facts with their prejudices and working to return the Democratic Party to its roots. What you've dug up could help educate many libertarians, if that is what you're trying to do.
I would argue that most libertarians are libertarians because of their principles; not because of the Libertarian Party.
I would also argue that anyone who is a modern democrat would be unable to relate to Bourbon Democrats. Most people looking back at the history of either Democrats or Republicans will see a massive change in the definitions of conservative/liberal and how they apply to each, how each party has evolved.
I have, in fact, tried to educate people on the history of the parties. Their average reaction was, "Well, that was then. This is a hundred years later. Things have changed."
It really has nothing to do with the name of the party. Trying to get a Democrat to support capitalism involves changing their core principles.
