When the Founders crafted the
Constitution, they envisioned a state government that largely dealt
with everyday affairs, and a federal government that for the most
part dealt with interstate and international affairs, having little
role in the life of the typical citizen going about his day. This is
no longer the case in the United States, for the federal government
increasingly seeks to encroach upon the daily life of each and every
one of its citizens.
Buying a pair of scissors made in
one state and riding the highway means that whatever offense you are
about to commit is no longer a state offense, but rather a federal
one. 95% of federal cases result in either a conviction or a plea
bargain, and the supreme court is unlikely to hear appeals, thus
making federal charges the most guaranteed way that a person is going
to prison with little recourse of a local jury. Though the recent
case involving Amish cutting the beards of others might seem
comical, the legal implications represent a tremendous overreach by
the Obama administration, and are very blatantly a test case for the
future.
The
Obama administration is now basically saying that should a person do
anything more than put a hand on another, they could face federal
charges. I can envision a scenario where the federal government could
pile on charges even if no out-of-state scissors/logs of
wood/vases/shoes, etc. were used to commit the crime, even if no
highway was ridden before the crime, even if no plane was taken
before the crime, even if no TSA-protected train was taken, and even
if no letters were sent. Perhaps you dreamt about crossing state
lines.
The
new logic of the Eric Holder justice department is rather
interesting, to say the least. By the same logic, a shooting
committed against a typical citizen is a federal crime because most
guns and bullets contain interstate components. Every shooting or
stabbing in America could potentially be treated as a federal crime.
The only crimes mentioned in the constitution are treason, piracy on
the high seas, and counterfeiting. If the constitution were rewritten
tomorrow, however, the only non-federal crime you could commit
against a non-government representative would be attacking them with
your fists within the confines of your home for reasons not related
to their gender identity, race, or etc.
But,
most interesting, perhaps throwing a shoe made in China at a US
government official constitutes an international crime in The New
America.
