Interview With Richard Lim (Part 2)
In Part 2 of his interview with Know Why, Richard Lim, host of the podcast This American President, explains what federalism is and why it’s essential for protecting freedom. He also sheds interesting historical perspective on the division in America today, and notes which aspects of the current presidential election cycle are historically unique. If you want to better understand how America’s government works and get a historian’s insight on the state of our politics, don’t miss this episode!
What is Federalism?
The Electoral College is part of a broader system of government called federalism, which, according to Richard, “is absolutely essential.”
“All it is is a division of responsibility,” he explained. “If you split up power, you make it more difficult for any one entity to get too much power. So the whole point of federalism is freedom.”
But, “The system is only as good as the people who run it,” he told Know Why. He warns that people who want to centralize more power in Washington, D.C. are undermining their own freedom because they don’t understand that the point of federalism is to protect it.
“The whole point of federalism is freedom.”
Richard Lim
“The national government is taking on responsibilities that were never intended be under the purview of the federal government, for good reason,” he said.
Unique and Unprecedented
Richard wrapped up his conversation with Liberty by offering a historian’s perspective to the 2024 presidential election. So far, unique aspects of this election year include the presumed candidates, Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump. It’s rare for two ex-presidents to be running against each other, he noted, but not unprecedented.
Many believe the current divisiveness in American society is unprecedented. While acknowledging its severity, Richard notes that it’s not new in American history. Americans were divided at other times, though aspects of the current division are unique.
“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes,” he said.
Listen to Part 1 of Richard’s interview.
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