Question

excerpt 2: anti - federalist no. 1 - brutus \the powers, rights, and authority granted to the general government by this constitution are as complete, with respect to every object to which it extends, as that of any state government. it is a consolidated government. the idea of a confederated government is lost.\ questions: a. what is brutus’s main concern about the constitution? b. how does he describe the shift in power from states to the federal government? c. what does he mean by \consolidated government,\ and why is that a problem?

Explanation:

a. Brutus is concerned that the Constitution grants the general government too much power, making it as complete - in its scope - as a state government, thus losing the confederated nature.
b. He describes the shift as the general government gaining powers that are as extensive as those of state governments for the objects it covers, indicating a significant transfer of power from states to the federal level.
c. A "consolidated government" means a government where the general government has comprehensive and complete powers over the areas it governs, similar to state - level powers. This is a problem for Brutus as it goes against the idea of a confederated system where states retain more autonomy.

Answer:

a. Brutus's main concern is that the Constitution gives the general government too much power, eliminating the confederated nature.
b. He says the general government's powers are as complete as state governments' for the areas it covers, showing a major power shift.
c. A "consolidated government" has extensive powers like state governments. It's a problem as it undermines state autonomy in a confederated system.