Today's election is not and should not be about President Trump.
Democrats and most of the media have been working overtime for the better part of 2018 to make this election about nothing other than President Trump. But this is not how it's supposed to be. The fact that every president looms so large over the midterm elections is evidence of how far we've drifted. Even the fact that we refer to these elections as "midterm," as in halfway through a president's four-year term in office, betrays the outsized influence America has given the presidency.
RELATED: Consider THIS as you vote today
Since – according to annual studies and polls – America's overall civics knowledge is in the crapper, Election Day seems like a good time for a reminder that we actually have three branches of government. And contrary to popular belief, the Executive branch isn't supposed to be at the top of the government pyramid.
Why, over the last fifty years, do 20% more Americans show up to vote for presidential elections than mid-term elections? It should be completely flipped. Turnout should be greatest for Congressional elections because they directly represent us.
The U.S. presidency is often called the most powerful office in the world. But the Founders put Congress front and center in the Constitution, not the president. Article One has ten sections without mentioning a president. The Constitution could not be clearer – Congress would make the laws here. Not a king, and not an elected president.
The Founders believed firmly in the right and ability of men to self-govern, so they made Congress the strongest branch of government because it represented the people – indirectly through the Senate (originally Senators were elected by state legislatures), and directly through the House.
Today's election is important alright, but not for the reason you've been told… because Donald Trump is not on the ballot.
The Founders believed you protect individual liberty by limiting government powers, especially a one-man Executive. As we vote today, that should be our guide. Which candidates care about protecting individual liberty? Which ones are concerned about government power? Which ones defend the Bill of Rights?
The Constitution, as it was ratified, gives the president very few powers. There's nothing there about carrying out his agenda. The way it reads sounds more like the president works for Congress. Today's election is important alright, but not for the reason you've been told… because Donald Trump is not on the ballot.
