>>You really weren't paying attention in history class. the strength of the American Constitution was the set of limits it placed on the government and on each branch in counterbalance to the others. Previously in most governments it had been assumed all power flowed from the top down. we got a system designed for power to come from the bottom up. "derived from the just consent of the governed" the size of government is a much much more recent phenomenon than the founding. Hamilton was considered a big government monarchist for even wanting a national bank or a standing army. BIg government is a very modern concept - with roots that hark more to Bismark than Jefferson or Adams.
>
>Bismarck. And didn't he come along a little later?

That's the point. Big Government progressives came long after the founding fathers and polluted our governmental system in the meantime to create a class of handout junkies....