When Politicians Fly
The title of a recent article asks, “Is Proportional Representation on the Way?” The author explores (but stops short of embracing) the idea that representation in the U.S. House might be (re)allocated based upon proportional representation of each state’s electorate. The hope or expectation would be to expand representation of “minority” (arguably “marginalized”) interest groups. The author gave the following examples: “Republicans cast a third of the vote in Massachusetts but elect none of the state’s congressional delegation, while the reverse is true for Democrats in Oklahoma.” The author notes that the resulting system likely would look more like some parliamentary systems, in which minor — “third” — parties are able to elect representatives thus having greater “voice” in government.
Efforts to “fix” government are akin to taping decorative wings on a fish and expecting the waterborne creature to soar above the clouds. The hypothetical trait or hoped-for improvement is entirely contrary to the nature of the beast.
Like a junkie’s “fix” any improvement is limited and any resulting satisfaction short-lived. With each cycle or iteration, the contentment wanes both in intensity and duration. It takes “more” of the drug (i.e. bigger, broader, more powerful, and more intrusive government) because with continuous (as opposed to intermittent) use the drug becomes less effective. The inevitable result is a state, which is increasingly authoritarian. This is because government must compel compliance by those, who are disadvantaged or affirmatively harmed by its efforts. Eventually, that which is incapable of providing even a moment’s peace is more than the body (politic) can bear. The hoped-for cure becomes more dangerous than the supposed disease, which the drug or treatment was intended to remedy or cure. That which was thought to be a panacea becomes a source of self-destruction.
Government is not a mechanism which engenders cooperation, collaboration, compromise, or consensus. Government is at its most basic an instrument of brute force whereby an electoral majority (or controlling voting bloc) seeks to impose its self-serving will upon a reluctant or disfavored minority (or other group). It is a means by which persons seek to utilize the compulsive authority of the state and the coercive powers of government in order to compel “others” (by force … of law) to engage in relationships or transactions, in which the disadvantaged parties would not participate voluntarily. There is rarely, if ever, anything more moral or noble in the machinations of the state.
Politics is forever and always about power. Power is an inevitably corrupting influence, to which all human beings are susceptible. As power trends toward absolute, so does the certainty for corruption, and with corruption come abuse, oppression, and tyranny.
A “fix” does not result from reforming government to be more effective and efficient (i.e. by refining the drug or finding the perfect dosage). St. Augustine said, “Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.” The only way to assure that one does not overdose on illicit drugs is to avoid the drugs in the first place. The only way to avoid the destructive powers of a rogue state is to affirmatively restrain the state and to actively limit the powers of government.
Government should be so relatively impotent that no one can be harmed by it. The primary purpose (and only legitimate function) of the state should be to foster individual liberties and to protect personal freedoms. The powers of government should always be limited in deference to liberty and freedom. (See “Bill of Rights.”) Rather than being the first choice for “change” — rather than rent seeking — rather than pushing government to “do” more for particular persons or parties, it is better that government’s powers be so negligible that most times and under most circumstances parties are indifferent as to who holds a particular office.
