Reb,
We should be following the constitution and federalist papers. There is a problem though. Most liberals or progressives I talk to discount the constitution and federalist papers as outdated and obsolete. They claim things have changed (they really haven't) and the government needs to change too. The states and the people have given their power and freedom to the feds and the feds won't give them back. A Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater is an excellent read to get an idea of libertarian ideas. Good luck finding the book. I have a copy in my limited library.