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The United States was intended to have a small federal government with most powers
held by the states through a system of checks and balances-“The powers not delegated to the
United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States
respectively, or to the people” (U.S. Constitution, 1791). However, the ever changing political
landscape has increased the federal government’s role in the lives of its citizens through various
federal policies and initiatives. These policies and initiatives have led to unsustainable amounts
of debt and deficit spending. If this trend continues, it would result in higher interest rates,
slower economic growth, and a greater chance of a budgetary crisis (Boccia, 2016b). This puts a
great amount of stress and debt onto the younger generations that pay into programs like
Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security (Boccia, 2016a). The more practical solution is for
national leaders, representatives, lawmakers, and policy makers to push for a federal government
that will operate with strict guidelines to reduce spending and budgetary reform.
Constitutionally Limited Government
A government that operates within the boundaries created by the Constitution are
constitutionally limited governments. The Constitution provides specific guidelines established
by the United States’ founding fathers that dictate the enumerated powers for each of the three
branches in order to ensure that one branch does not gain more power over the others. Article 1
in the Constitution discusses the powers of the legislative branch. The Congress has the power to
“lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common
defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be
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uniform throughout the United State” (“U.S. Constitution ,” 1791). These powers allow
congress to create and manage a federal budget and spend money for the welfare of the country.
Article 2 discusses the executive power held by the president. It outlines the president’s
power of executing laws, commanding the military, foreign policy, and appointing federal
officers and judges (“U.S. Constitution ,” 1791). The president is elected for a four year term and
can be removed through impeachment by the House of Representatives and being convicted by
the Senate.
Lastly, Article 3 establishes and identifies the power of the judicial branch. This article
gives the Supreme Court and other federal courts the power to interpret laws, trial crimes, and
mediate disputes under federal law (“U.S. Constitution ,” 1791). The judicial branch ensures that
all of the government's actions and laws uphold the Constitution dictated rights.
These articles form the structure of the United States’ federal government. This structure
utilizes the system of checks and balances-preventing any branch from exceeding its
constitutional authority. The Constitution creates an environment of limited government in order
to ensure the welfare and success of the country. The 10th amendment reinforces a division of
power between the federal government and the states. This division ensures that individual
liberties are being protected. Madison’s writing in The Federalist Papers, argues the necessity of
limiting governmental authority to protect liberty (Madison, 1788). The 10th amendment’s
ability to distribute power to the states and citizens ensures that the federal government is not
overreaching, thus protecting and preserving the liberty of individuals and local governments to
address their needs and concerns.
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General Limits on Government Spending/Budgeting
Limited government enforces economic and budget constraints on spending and
budgeting. General limits on government spending and budgeting are rooted in constitutional
principles and economic policies. The Constitution states that although Congress has the power
to tax and spend money, it must be for the benefit of the country and its citizens and not for the
benefit of specific individuals or groups (Epstein, 2014). Meaning that federal taxing and
spending requires legislation that is enacted into law (Policy Basics: Introduction to the Federal
Budget Process, 2022). Throughout the years, there have been countless legislation and policies
enacted to combat the country’s high levels of spending and debt.
Within the Constitution there are limits that influence spending and budgetary decision
making. Article 1, section 8, clause 1.2.5 explains that the court evaluates spending clause
legislation by requiring Congress to clearly state conditions that are attached to federal funds.
This means that documentation must be collected and be presented, thus holding Congress
accountable in their federal spending actions. This clarity with the clause ensures that all parties
involved accept these conditions, similar to entering a contract. In addition to this, “Congress has
often operated under statutory budget-control mechanisms intended to prevent tax and
mandatory spending legislation from increasing the deficit or that constrain discretionary
spending” (Policy Basics: Introduction to the Federal Budget Process, 2022).
Along with the Constitution, there have been acts and policies that limit Congressional
spending and budgeting. An example would be the 2010 Statutory Pay-As-You Go (PAYGO)
Act. This act ensures that “any legislative changes to taxes or mandatory spending that increase
projected deficits must be ‘offset’ or paid for by other changes to taxes or mandatory spending
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that reduce deficits by an equivalent amount” (Policy Basics: Introduction to the Federal Budget
Process, 2022). This ensures fiscal responsibility by requiring that any increase in spending or
tax cuts be offset by spending cuts or tax increases elsewhere. The goal of this act is to prevent
additional federal debt by creating a neutral impact on the federal budget. Two other examples
would be The 1990-2002 Budget Enforcement Act (BEA) and the 2011-2021 Budget Control
Act (BCA). Both of which imposed temporary, legally enforceable limits or “caps” on the level
of discretionary appropriations (Policy Basics: Introduction to the Federal Budget Process,
2022). These caps set specific limits on the amount of funding that can be allocated to
government programs, thus creating budgetary discipline and helping to diminish spending.
Limited government provides support to economic and budget constraints that are rooted
in constitutional principle and economic policies. These measures create strict limits and
conditions on government spending, help promote congressional accountability and budgetary
discipline.
Limited Government and Balanced Budget Amendment
A balanced budget amendment would add a budget rule to the Constitution that would
make the notion of federal spending not exceeding federal receipts mandatory (Peter G. Peterson
Foundation, 2019). Proponents of the amendment argue in support of the younger generations.
The believe that the younger generation should be protected from the debts accumulated by the
older generations (Peter G. Peterson Foundation, 2019). Due to the fact that the president and
members of Congress currently do not have control over or are able to rein in the federal debt
through normal legislations, there fear that the only solution is to include a constitutional
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constraint (Peter G. Peterson Foundation, 2019). Limited government aligns with the balanced
budget amendment because both constraints the federal government’s ability to spend beyond its
means. The amendment would reinforce the constitutional limits and aid in creating fiscal
responsibility.
Judeo-Christian Worldview
The Judeo-Christian worldview values responsibility, stewardship, and ethical governing.
When looked through in this lens, the balanced budget amendment cna me seen upholding these
values by promoting good fiscal judgment and accountability. Isaiah 58:6-7 states “ “Is not this
the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and
to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to
turn away from your own flesh and blood?” As the larger power, the federal government has the
responsibility to fight injustice and has a moral obligation to care for those in need- in this case,
its citizens. It is important for the government to remain within its budgetary constraints in order
to protect and care for its citizens.
Conclusion
The concept of limited government serves as a way to protect against the overreach of
authority and to protect individual liberties. It is important that the United States federal
government abides by the constitutional constraints in order to be fiscally responsible and protect
its younger generations from the consequences of accumulating debt and spending.
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References:
Boccia, R. (2016a, February 29). Restoring fairness and common sense to the federal
budget. The Heritage Foundation.
https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/restoring-fairness-and-
common-sense-the-federal-budget
Boccia, R. (2016b, October 23). What You Need to Know About the National Debt in 2
Charts. The Heritage Foundation.
https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/what-you-need-know-about-
the-national-debt-2-charts
Epstein, R. A. (2014). The Classical Liberal Constitution : the Uncertain Quest for
Limited Government. Harvard University Press.
Madison, J. (1788). The Particular Structure of the New Government and the Distribution
of Power Among Its Different Parts. The Federalist Papers , 47.
https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-41-50#s-lg-box-wrapper-25493412
Peter G. Peterson Foundation. (2019). Balanced Budget Amendment: Pros & Cons.
Pgpf.org; pgpf.org. https://www.pgpf.org/budget-basics/balanced-budget-amendment-
pros-and-cons
Policy Basics: Introduction to the Federal Budget Process. (2022). Center on Budget and
Policy Priorities ; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities .
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https://www.cbpp.org/research/policy-basics-introduction-to-the-federal-budget-
process#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20the%20limits,or%20that%20constrain
%20discretionary%20spending.
The Holy Bible. (2002). American Bible Society.
U.S. Constitution . (1791). The Bill of Rights, The 10th Amendment.
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