The Diagnosis

The year was 1913. Three things happened:

1. The 16th Amendment - Federal Income Tax

Before 1913, the federal government was funded by tariffs and excise taxes. It was limited because its funding was limited. The income tax gave Washington unlimited fuel. The machine could now grow without constraint.

2. The 17th Amendment - Direct Election of Senators

The Founders designed the Senate to represent states. State legislatures chose senators. This gave states a direct voice in federal affairs and a check on federal overreach.

The 17th Amendment removed this check. Senators became just another popularity contest. States lost their seat at the table. The federal government lost its leash.

3. The Federal Reserve Act

Money creation was centralized and removed from democratic accountability. The Fed could print money, inflating away your savings, funding government expansion without explicit taxation.

Before 1913: Small federal government. Strong states. Local accountability. Stable money. Citizens kept what they earned.

After 1913: The federal machine had unlimited fuel (income tax), no brake (states neutered), and a printing press (Fed).

Most of what has gone wrong since follows from those three changes.