Page 91 - Beers With Our Founding Fathers

A Patriot’s view of the history and direction of our Country

state governments could levy taxes, assuring that the central

government and each state would be able to raise the necessary
revenues to be self-supporting and provide for the common defense

and welfare of the people.
Trade and recognition with foreign nations would be more

favorable with a central form of government, allowing for trade and
regulations that would be uniform across the states. This would

provide for more revenue to the central government and the states.
In addition to trade, foreign relations included both diplomacy and

war. The new government could provide for both by limiting
treaties to the central government, still a ‘super majority’. Similarly,

a national militia and navy would also be by the central government.
Regarding ratification and amendments, the new proposal

provided that these would be to the people. Specific to
amendments, the new proposal reduced the number of states

required from all thirteen to a super majority of nine; consistent
with other matters of significance. As to ratifying the new proposal

– the Constitution – this would be delegated directly to the people
of the individual states, instead of the legislatures of the individual

states. The Constitution also provided that the powers provided for
were delegated directly by the people, and not a central

government.
One of the arguments in support of the new government was a

represented democracy (republic). This would allow for

representation of a large and diverse group through smaller groups
of republics (states). One concern was addressed in Federalist
Number Ten, the destructive role of faction in breaking apart the

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