Re: On Real Respect for the Constitution

Hard not to like him when he talks so purty...

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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of david white
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2011 1:02 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [DADL-OT] On Real Respect for the Constitution

http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1821:on-
real-respect-for-the-constitution&catid=62:texas-straight-
talk&Itemid=1&Itemid=69

On Real Respect for the Constitution

I am pleased that the Constitution has received a lot of attention in recent
weeks, thanks to the tea party movement.  The 112th Congress kicked off with a
reading of the Constitution on the floor of the House.  It goes without saying
that Members of Congress should have read the Constitution many times, and
should continue to study it.

Citing the particular clause of the Constitution that authorizes newly
introduced legislation is a reasonable suggestion, yet in reality it will do
little to restrain unconstitutional growth of the federal government.  We have
had such rules in the past and no benefit came of it.


The laws that are passed reflect the preferences and personal agendas of those
in charge.  For too long those agendas have expanded government at the expense
of personal liberty, regardless of which political party was in charge.  This
expansion of government clearly violated the Constitution, yet it was always
argued that this or that program somehow conformed to that “living” document.

By misinterpreting the general welfare clause, the interstate commerce clause,
and the “necessary and proper” clause, Congress has justified every conceivable
expansion of the federal government.  Congress also has misinterpreted the 14th
Amendment and legislated as though it had repealed the 10th Amendment.  Sadly,
Congress has also systematically abdicated its prerogatives and responsibilities
to the executive branch over many decades.

Too many people, in and out of Congress, grew up being taught that the
Constitution was a “modern living document.”  Though the authors allowed for
flexibility through the amendment process, this process has been ignored for the
sake of speed and convenience.  As a result, the Constitution now has little
actual meaning.

Our Constitution should be viewed as law, and Members of Congress should be
expected to follow, respect, understand, and uphold the law.  But a document is
just a piece of paper if those who represent us and promise to obey it ignore it
instead.  Celebrating the Constitution without this understanding will do
nothing to restore the greatness of America.

Simply praising the document distracts from the need for Members to resist
special interests, political self-interests, emergency needs in times of crisis,
fear-based economic myths, and the persistent temptation to seek security over
liberty while ignoring personal responsibility and self- reliance.

I wonder: will this welcomed renewed interest in the Constitution lead to a
healthy reassessment of all of our policies?  Will there be no more wars without
an actual congressional declaration?  Will the Federal Reserve Act be repealed?
Will only gold and silver be deemed legal tender?

Will we end all unconstitutional federal departments, including the Department
of Energy, Education, Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Homeland
Security, and Labor?

Will the Patriot Act be repealed and all warrantless searches stopped?

Will the TSA be abolished?
Will the IRS's unconstitutional collection powers end?
Will executive and judicial quasi-legislative powers end?
Will we end the federal war on drugs?
Will we end the federal government's involvement in medical care?
Will we end all of the federal government's illusionary insurance programs?
Will we ban secret prisons, trials without due process, and assassinations?
Will we end our foreign policy of invasion and occupation?

For America to once again become the standard for a free society, our love of
liberty and desire for peace must far surpass any public display of fidelity to
the Constitution. We must first look to strong moral character, respect for the
rule of law, and an understanding of the proper role of government in a free
society.

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