Limited Government Power - Key to Individual Freedoms

Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash

As a conservative Republican with a libertarian bent, I see the Tenth Amendment as one of the best parts of the U.S. Constitution. Added in 1791 with the Bill of Rights, it’s clear and simple: any power not given to the federal government or taken away from the states belongs to the states or the people. It’s a rule that stops Washington from getting too big and keeps states and regular folks in charge of their own lives.

Back when this was written, people were nervous. The new Constitution created a stronger federal government, and some—called the Anti-Federalists—worried it’d turn into a monster, trampling states and citizens. The Tenth Amendment was the fix, a way to say, “Don’t worry, the feds only get what we let them have.” It’s about keeping power in check and making sure the government doesn’t overstep.

This amendment is why we have federalism—power split between the national government and the states. It’s great because states can try their own ideas. One might set its own school policies, while another tackles healthcare its way. No forced, top-down plan from D.C. It’s freedom to figure out what works where you live.

The U.S. is a big, varied place—cities, small towns, farms, coasts. The Tenth Amendment lets states handle their own issues, like roads or public safety, without waiting for some distant official to decide. Power stays closer to home, where it makes more sense.

It also puts a leash on the federal government. Take the 1995 case United States v. Lopez—Congress tried banning guns near schools, but the Supreme Court said, “No, that’s a state job.” The Tenth Amendment stepped in to keep the feds in their lane. It’s a solid check on overreach.

Thanks to this amendment, states can make their own rules on stuff the Constitution doesn’t touch—like legalizing marijuana or setting wages. Some do, some don’t, and that’s how it should be. It lets people live by their own values, not some blanket order from Washington.

Critics say it creates uneven rules across states, but I say that’s the beauty of it. It stops the federal government from turning into a dictator. Freedom isn’t perfect or uniform—it’s gritty and real. The alternative is a one-size-fits-all system that crushes choice.

The Tenth Amendment is a promise that power won’t all pile up in D.C. It keeps it local, where we can keep an eye on it and hold it accountable. For someone like me who values liberty and distrusts big government, it’s the heart of what makes America work.