Unelected: How an Unaccountable Elite is Governing America

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2020
Publisher: Encounter Books,USA

America's political landscape is deeply polarized, with elections serving as a focal point for intense debates and divisions. However, it is important to recognize that a significant number of decisions that profoundly impact our lives are made by unelected actors who operate outside the electoral process. In this comprehensive historical account, James R. Copland delves into the rise of unaccountable agents who have taken over a substantial portion of the U.S. government apparatus.

Congress, once the primary arbiter of government authority, has relinquished much of its power. Independent administrative agencies, with their vast regulatory powers, churn out thousands of new regulations annually, often without congressional oversight. The courts have played a pivotal role in enabling these rulemakers to expand their authority beyond the legal limits set by Congress. This has resulted in a situation where no ordinary citizen can confidently determine what is legal and what is not. With over 300,000 federal crimes, the majority of which were created through administrative action, the proliferation of regulations grants immense discretion to unelected enforcers. The severity of sanctions for unwitting violations of these regulations can be devastating, often leading to financial ruin and other adverse consequences.

Outside the realm of bureaucracy, private attorneys wield significant influence through lawsuits. The legal theories underlying these suits are often derived from decisions made by judges and law professors, rather than through direct democratic voting. This has resulted in an onerous and expensive legal regime that places a significant burden on individuals and businesses. State and local officials, while accountable to their own voters, also have the ability to pursue agendas that extend beyond their jurisdictional boundaries. These new antifederalists, who advocate for limiting the power of the federal government, have the potential to subject citizens to the whims of electorates in other regions, undermining the constitutional design of the United States.

In conclusion, the unelected have exerted substantial control over the American republic, upending the rule of law, contributing to the world's most expensive legal system, and reversing the principles enshrined in the Constitution. It is essential to address this issue and work towards restoring the balance of power and ensuring that decisions that affect our lives are made through transparent and accountable processes.

Weight: 590g
Dimension: 164 x 237 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781641771207