Issues
that Aren't So Simple
Distribution of Political Power
I think the government could perhaps do more if it was formally constrained, for instance in the manner specified by the Constitution. As matters now stand, the reality that there is no effective Constitutional limit to the scope of the government means that those with a compelling financial interest in limiting that scope are compelled to do so by other means, principally by exploiting the political advantage conferred by the financial position they seek to protect. As long as political power is or is believed to be a necessary prerequisite to the retention of wealth, those with wealth will feel a compelling need to hold dominant political power, and will additionally by virtue of their wealth generally succeed. Reliable restraint of the government by other means would obviate this otherwise apparent necessity, allowing it would seem for more egalitarian government, and plausibly allowing for broader and more effective government as well.
I think the government could perhaps do more if it was formally constrained, for instance in the manner specified by the Constitution. As matters now stand, the reality that there is no effective Constitutional limit to the scope of the government means that those with a compelling financial interest in limiting that scope are compelled to do so by other means, principally by exploiting the political advantage conferred by the financial position they seek to protect. As long as political power is or is believed to be a necessary prerequisite to the retention of wealth, those with wealth will feel a compelling need to hold dominant political power, and will additionally by virtue of their wealth generally succeed. Reliable restraint of the government by other means would obviate this otherwise apparent necessity, allowing it would seem for more egalitarian government, and plausibly allowing for broader and more effective government as well.
