"POLITICAL POWER. All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights."
Well, that was the ideal once upon a time in America, even when the constitutional convention of Washington State adopted this language in 1889.
A "modern" (and ancient) version better matching contemporary practice might read:
"POLITICAL POWER. All political power is inherent in the government, and the people derive their permitted rights from the consent of the government, and exist to protect and maintain state prerogatives."
How many are left out there who like the old one better? If not enough, we're all going to be stuck with the new (and ancient) version.
They used to call it tyranny, but I guess that was back when people used to learn history.
About Me
- Konrad Graf
- My three R's are reading, writing, and running. I am a self-directed learner, integrative theorist, writer, and translator. I have lived in the US, India, and Japan, and now live in Germany.
