V. CONSTITUTION
The U. S. Constitution certainly does not need me to speak for it because it has always been very capable of clear articulation all by itself. What then is the purpose of this blog?
Let’s begin with how our politicians choose to ignore the true meaning of their oath of office which always includes a reference to the effect of; ... to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
When I ask candidates, while they are on the trail of running for an elected office, my most favorite questions (Why are you seeking this elective office? and Do you believe in the Constitution of the United States?) what generally follows is a thesis of patriotic answers. Only later do they seem to forget how and why each of them is there in the first place. We all have our idealist side but a politician no longer represents themselves alone, rather all those who have voted for them as well as those who voted against them plus the do nothing group who never votes.
Too often we hear from those same office holders some prime time excuses: the Constitution is only a guide because it’s from a long ago time; yes it’s a great document but we live in a more modern time and need to read between the lines; the old men that wrote it could never have imagined how the world would change so it no longer applies; are you serious! etc., etc., etc.
Let’s begin with how our politicians choose to ignore the true meaning of their oath of office which always includes a reference to the effect of; ... to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
When I ask candidates, while they are on the trail of running for an elected office, my most favorite questions (Why are you seeking this elective office? and Do you believe in the Constitution of the United States?) what generally follows is a thesis of patriotic answers. Only later do they seem to forget how and why each of them is there in the first place. We all have our idealist side but a politician no longer represents themselves alone, rather all those who have voted for them as well as those who voted against them plus the do nothing group who never votes.
Too often we hear from those same office holders some prime time excuses: the Constitution is only a guide because it’s from a long ago time; yes it’s a great document but we live in a more modern time and need to read between the lines; the old men that wrote it could never have imagined how the world would change so it no longer applies; are you serious! etc., etc., etc.
One theme that runs through most of the Constitution is very clear: no branch of government is aloud to inhibit anyone’s rights or pursuit of happiness. According to the Constitution the federal government is limited in its power over the citizens of this great nation. The Tenth Amendment gives most of the power to the states. This leaves only one question. What happened?
Today the federal government has more power over the citizens of our country than was ever intended by the founders. The bad part is with each change of a new administration more and more power is sought.
One of the most recent examples is the current administration’s moratorium order on drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico (this moratorium created a layoff of approximately 40,000 oil rig employees (directly affecting nearly 125,000 citizens, don’t forget to include their families) (this action also has triggered another budget busting effect, a reduction in tax revenues at all levels of government (federal, state and local) affecting all segments of our economy.) A federal judge has issued a stay to set-a-side that order however it has been completely ignored. A subsequent contempt of court order has been issued to the Executive branch of government, it too has been disregarded.
Our country began with the Declaration of Independence, than came the Constitution which was founded on the idea of the rule of law. To reject this concept borders on another idea, anarchy. If the President of the United States will not follow the law and answer to the legal system, what can we expect, at all levels of government, when we need to use that same system?
The gentlemen who authored this chronicle and than those that hammered out the final document, we all now call The Constitution of The United States, understood very clearly if the federal government were given too much power the citizenry would have almost no control over their lives and future. How did they know this to be true? Because the "ruling class” at that time (and before) was setup exactly in that mold. This document is designed to eliminate the "ruling class" and offer to the masses an opportunity to participate in ones own life's future. The U S Constitution, along with the dynamics of The Federalist Papers, will indeed bring forth a more perfect union when executed properly.
Today the federal government has more power over the citizens of our country than was ever intended by the founders. The bad part is with each change of a new administration more and more power is sought.
One of the most recent examples is the current administration’s moratorium order on drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico (this moratorium created a layoff of approximately 40,000 oil rig employees (directly affecting nearly 125,000 citizens, don’t forget to include their families) (this action also has triggered another budget busting effect, a reduction in tax revenues at all levels of government (federal, state and local) affecting all segments of our economy.) A federal judge has issued a stay to set-a-side that order however it has been completely ignored. A subsequent contempt of court order has been issued to the Executive branch of government, it too has been disregarded.
Our country began with the Declaration of Independence, than came the Constitution which was founded on the idea of the rule of law. To reject this concept borders on another idea, anarchy. If the President of the United States will not follow the law and answer to the legal system, what can we expect, at all levels of government, when we need to use that same system?
The gentlemen who authored this chronicle and than those that hammered out the final document, we all now call The Constitution of The United States, understood very clearly if the federal government were given too much power the citizenry would have almost no control over their lives and future. How did they know this to be true? Because the "ruling class” at that time (and before) was setup exactly in that mold. This document is designed to eliminate the "ruling class" and offer to the masses an opportunity to participate in ones own life's future. The U S Constitution, along with the dynamics of The Federalist Papers, will indeed bring forth a more perfect union when executed properly.
Over the many generations since the Constitution has slowly been modified, through hook or crook, to more resemble something that our founders were trying to avoid. Hopefully those that are now seeking to bring our country back to square one will be successful, at lest to the point that limits the federal government’s control over the states and individuals in general.
The story that gained popular legend telling at the time of the signing of the Constitution may be appropriate here: Ben Franklin was asked when he emerged from the final signing, "What type of government did you gentlemen give us Mr. Franklin?” Franklin’s reply was "A representative republic form of government, for as long as we can keep it”.
Hopefully it will be a lot longer than it appears these days.
