Founding principles of the US: their erosion, destruction, and negation, over time

Here is an overview of the founding principles of the United States and a timeline of events and policies that, from a conservative perspective, may be seen as contributing to the erosion, destruction, negation, or nullification of these principles. As a framework, I will approach this with an emphasis on limited government, individual liberty, and adherence to the Constitution as core conservative values, while citing the provided documents where relevant.

Founding Principles of the United States

The United States was founded on several key principles, primarily articulated in the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the U.S. Constitution (1787). These include:

1. Individual Liberty: The belief that individuals have unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as stated in the Declaration of Independence.
2. Limited Government: The Constitution establishes a government with enumerated powers, designed to prevent overreach and protect individual freedoms through checks and balances.
3. Federalism: A division of power between federal and state governments, ensuring that states retain significant authority over local matters.
4. Rule of Law: The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable under the law, as enshrined in the Constitution.
5. Free Enterprise: The encouragement of economic freedom and private property rights, seen as essential to personal liberty and prosperity.

These principles were intended to create a nation where government serves the people, not the other way around, and where personal responsibility and traditional values underpin society.

Timeline of Erosion of Founding Principles (From a Conservative Perspective)

From a conservative viewpoint, the history of the United States includes several periods and events where these founding principles have been undermined by progressive policies, judicial overreach, and cultural shifts. Below is an outline of key moments in this perceived decline, with references to the provided documents where applicable.

1. Early 19th Century - Expansion of Federal Power:

   • The early 1800s saw the federal government begin to expand beyond its enumerated powers. The Louisiana Purchase (1803), while beneficial, raised questions about federal authority under the Constitution. Additionally, decisions like McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) broadened implied powers of Congress, which some conservatives argue set a precedent for federal overreach [1].
   • This era marked the beginning of a trend where the federal government assumed roles not explicitly granted by the Constitution, undermining federalism.

2. Post-Civil War Era - Reconstruction and Centralization (1865-1877):

   • Following the Civil War, the Reconstruction Acts and the 14th Amendment (1868) expanded federal authority over states to enforce civil rights. While the intent was noble, conservatives often view this as a shift away from state sovereignty, centralizing power in Washington, D.C. [2].
   • This period also saw the rise of federal bureaucracies, which some argue began to erode the principle of limited government by creating unelected bodies with significant influence.

3. Progressive Era (1890s-1920s) - Government Expansion and Social Engineering:

   • The Progressive Era brought significant changes through policies like the income tax (16th Amendment, 1913) and the establishment of regulatory agencies such as the Federal Reserve. Conservatives often see these as encroachments on economic freedom and personal responsibility, replacing free enterprise with government control [3].
   • Additionally, the push for social reforms during this time is viewed by some as the beginning of a cultural shift away from traditional values toward state-driven solutions.

4. New Deal Era (1930s) - Massive Federal Intervention:

   • Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the New Deal introduced sweeping federal programs to address the Great Depression. Conservatives argue that policies like Social Security and labor regulations vastly expanded the role of government in daily life, undermining individual liberty and free enterprise [4].
   • Judicial decisions during this era also upheld these expansions, often reinterpreting the Constitution in ways that conservatives believe strayed from its original intent.

5. Post-World War II and Great Society (1960s) - Welfare State and Cultural Shifts:

   • The Great Society programs under President Lyndon B. Johnson, including Medicare and Medicaid, further entrenched the welfare state. From a conservative perspective, these initiatives fostered dependency rather than personal responsibility, contradicting the founding emphasis on individual liberty [5].
   • The 1960s also saw cultural revolutions, including shifts in family structure and traditional values, which conservatives often link to government policies that undermined personal accountability.

6. Late 20th Century - Judicial Activism and Regulatory Growth (1970s-1990s):

   • Landmark Supreme Court decisions, such as Roe v. Wade (1973), are viewed by many conservatives as examples of judicial activism that override state authority and traditional moral values, thus negating the rule of law as originally understood [6].
   • Additionally, the growth of environmental and labor regulations during this period is seen as further restricting economic freedom and property rights.

7. 21st Century - Modern Challenges to Founding Principles (2000s-Present):

   • In recent decades, conservatives point to policies like the Affordable Care Act (2010) as emblematic of federal overreach into personal healthcare decisions, violating principles of limited government and individual choice [7].
   • Cultural and political trends, including the rise of political correctness and cancel culture, are seen as threats to free speech and the robust debate essential to liberty. Furthermore, increasing national debt and entitlement programs are viewed as unsustainable burdens that future generations will bear, contradicting the founding vision of fiscal responsibility [8].
   • Lastly, the expansion of executive power through orders and emergency declarations is often criticized as bypassing constitutional checks and balances.

Conclusion

From a conservative perspective, the history of the United States reflects a gradual drift from the founding principles of limited government, individual liberty, and federalism toward centralization, dependency, and cultural relativism. While some changes were responses to genuine crises or injustices, conservatives argue that many have come at the expense of the original intent of the Constitution and the values that made America exceptional. The challenge, as seen through this lens, is to reclaim these principles through adherence to constitutional originalism, reduced government intervention, and a return to personal responsibility and traditional values.

Sources

1 The Political Theory of the American Founding: Natural Rights, Public Policy, and the Moral Conditions of Freedom by Thomas G. West

2 Vindicating the Founders: Race, Sex, Class, and Justice in the Origins of America by Thomas G. West

3 Broke by Glen Beck

4 Philosophy, The Federalist, and the Constitution by Morton White

5 Glen Beck's Common Sense by Glen Beck

6 Hamilton's Curse by Thomas J. Dilorenzo

7 How the Left Was Won by Richard Mgrdechian

8 The Federalist Papers In Modern Language edited by Mary E. Webster