Bob Higgs, in his excellent Crisis and Leviathan, points out that during crises (almost always caused by government) the government will become stronger. That is true, but the real issue is that the executive branch generally grabs most of that power, as frightened people want action NOW, and the presidency seems to be qualified to act quickly, versus the slower, deliberating Congress. The choice of Rahm Emmanuel to be Obama’s point man in the new administration sends the clear message that Congress will become even more subservient to the executive branch. The process that started in 1861 and then really … Continue reading Lew Was Right: The Executive Branch Will Become Stronger