In this video CNN's Jack Cafferty explores the probability that the Rangel and Waters scandals will harm Democrats in the midterm election. He also give a rundown on the recent history ethics scandals in Congress:
It seems silly to remind ourselves that politicians in positions of power are not angels. Few people are surprised when these scandals hit either of the parties. And yet, paradoxically, we've been relatively comfortable seeing the scope and size of government power over our lives grow, not remain constant or decrease. With every growth of government we are giving politicians more opportunities for mischief, abuse of power, and diminishing liberty.
With the steady increase in evidence over the decades that there are no angels to govern us we, have all the more reason to enforce the constitutional limitations placed on their power. And we certainly have every reason to restrain government from assuming powers it is not specifically granted in the Constitution, like forcing individuals to purchase goods provided by the companies of the government's choosing.
As James Madison observed in Federalist 51,
"But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.” (Emphasis added.)Let's start acknowledging the "necessity of auxiliary precautions," remind politicians they depend on our votes to return to power, and insist on restraining the power of politicians over our lives and liberties.
Good government is a government realistically restrained in light of human nature, history, power, and the ever-precarious state of freedom. Until we see pearly white wings descend upon Capital Hill, we need to restrain, not broaden, government power.