First is the property tax. The power to tax property is the power to destroy and disinherit. Since local people control the election of tax assessors and county supervisors, the taxation of property seldom becomes oppressive. This prevents central governments from destroying the citizenry. Second is criminal law. Law enforcement officers, police, and judges are officers of the county, not of the state. Until recent years, executions were held at the county seat. In a dramatic reversal, nowadays virtually no execution takes place without being appealed to the United States Supreme Court. Third
...more
