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 “For by art is created that great Leviathan called a Commonwealth, or State (in Latin, Civitas), which is but an artificial man, though of greater stature and strength than the natural, for whose protection and defence it was intended”.
The above quotation is, in part, an introductory passage from Thomas Hobbes’ magnum opus, The Leviathan or the Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil. Throughout this work, Hobbes labors to define the relationship between the people and government. Thus, he added significantly to the foundation of Social Contract theory and those proponents who would later follow.
Following September 11, the Bush Administration took a purely Hobbesian view of the Social Contract theory, impressing upon the citizenry the mortal importance of quashing internal and external threats at all costs. Awestruck by the immensity of this event, the citizenry relinquished their already fading vigilance in hopes of recapturing homeland peace.
On October 26 of that same year, the PATRIOT Act or Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 arrived. In addition, the FISA [or Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act] of 1978 was presented as an argument for a free-reign government wherein non-sanctioned surveillance should be conducted. Rule of law determined that previous acts of surveillance fell outside the scope of FISA, so the government responded by passing certain amendments.
In the waning days of summer 2007, the Protect America Act passed into law. This revisionist movement toward a leviathan government and peace at any cost remained in tact.
John Locke, another Social Contract theorist, took a position toward “government with the consent of the governed”. Lockean theory also laid the framework of some parts of the United States Constitution.
In present times as inflation looms on the horizon; unchecked governmental spending toward foreign wars; a trillion dollar deficit; the utter lack of a national health care system; the depletion of social security funds; the question may be posited, Where are the American people? Where is the representative government as outlined in the United States Constitution?”
As John Locke suggested, people should understand their contractual relationship with government, and their role within that contract. If recent times have demonstrated anything, we should be aware of the great importance of the people’s participation within representational government. The United States established on a foundation as such that the failure to participate erodes that very foundation.
The intent of this article is to offer a brief guide toward watching “the government of the people, by the people”. We will examine expeditious methods by which one can access governmental information at the Executive, Judicial and Legislative levels of the US Government. Of course, this sounds like a daunting task that requires a great deal of time and effort for, in this day and age, who has the luxury of time.
So how difficult is it to retrieve information on our three branches of government? In this cursory examination of accessing government, you will find that information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Furthermore, access to governmental information does not even require one to leave his or her home.
The Executive Branch is a portion of government that not only refers to the presidential office but those cabinets designated therein. At www.whitehouse.gov, departments such as Homeland security ala the State Department, Education, Housing, Environmental Protection Agency and many others are accessible.
The Judicial Branch is a portion of our government known as the Supreme Court. At www.supremecourtus.gov, one can view the upcoming court docket and information pertaining to each case brought before the Court. Additionally, one can research historical decisions, and read the words of Supreme Court Justices as they explain the reasoning and logic behind each decision.
Our bicameral United States Congress is composed of the Senate (upper house) and the House of Representatives (lower house). Information regarding the United States Senate is at www.senate.gov/, while information concerning the House of Representatives is located at www.house.gov/.
The general headings for the Senate website include Senators, Committees, Legislation and Records, Art and History, Visitors, References.
The “Senators” section contains a listing for each member of the 110th Congress. The Senatorial Listing, sorted alphabetically, by state or by class, also provides contact information and their official stance on key issues.
Regardless of political affiliation, it is of the greatest importance that one takes time to access their government. In this day and age of the media politick and special interest groups, information is filtered and spun three or four times prior to reaching our senses.
John Locke suggested government with the consent of the governed. If current events teach us anything, we, the people, must be involved; we must have a presence in government. Therefore, it follows that we must uphold our end of the social contract.
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