The power of the government and whether more government enhances our liberties or suppresses them. Anti-federalists pointed to taxation by both state and federal bodies as an example of the "dangerous principles" that the constitution could represent (Graebner and Richards 143). Federalists in turn defended the document by announcing, "there is no quarrel between government and liberty; the former is the protector and shield of the latter" (Graebner and Richards 144). In today's political landscape, small government conservatives often clash with liberals who advocate expanding services and benefits available to the populace.
Our government today still struggles to reconcile the voice of the people, with the interests of the elite. "Gentleman politicians" are more common than those from the working, or even middle-class. We tend to elect politicians, similar to the delegates, who have a background of higher education...
Not only that, but our political system is structured so that aspiring politicians without means have a more difficult time winning elections and, in the event that they do win, are rewarded with a salary and access to benefits and privileges that quickly puts them into the realm of the upper middle-class. Nonetheless the "losers" are still heard, as elections are more hard-fought than ever and politicians are concerned with being seen as populists and not the aristocracy. Some states have enacted measures like term limit laws, ballot initiatives, and recall votes to exercise their united voice. Thus the debates of the constitution still rage on, while the constitution is held up by many as a respected and flawless document.
Works Cited
Graebner, William, and Leonard L. Richards. The American Record: Images of the Nation's past.
Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2006.
