Spring Break
U.S. leaders straying too far from Constitution
Seth Stern
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: Opinion
Few of today's elected leaders demonstrate any comprehension of the founding principles of our nation. The Constitution framers knew if the government followed the limitations, it couldn't violate the principle of liberty and the nation would remain independently strong.
The Declaration of Independence, herald to the Constitution, addressed the corruption of power. Our current government demonstrates indifference to these ends:
"That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."
Our government is beyond the "alter or abolish it" zone. Both parties increase the deficit without regard for repaying the debt. Neither party comprehends checks and balances. When one party controls two branches, legislation comes from party hacks, disregards the needs of the people and ignores Constitutional structure.
Last week, despite Constitutional restrictions preventing such an act, Congress voted to give the District of Columbia a seat in the House.
The move was an apparent Republican trade for Democrat votes in the Senate on a bill relaxing D.C. gun laws. The Constitution only allows states to have seats in Congress, and a D.C. seat is a permanent Democratic Party gain.
It's as if the elected leaders have neither read nor care what the Constitution says.
"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
The PATRIOT Act originated from the White House during a climate of national panic and slammed through Congress and the Senate. The Senate vote count was 98-1 with one abstaining. Rather than take the political risk of appearing unpatriotic, every Republican in the Senate voted "Aye."
The Declaration of Independence, herald to the Constitution, addressed the corruption of power. Our current government demonstrates indifference to these ends:
"That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."
Our government is beyond the "alter or abolish it" zone. Both parties increase the deficit without regard for repaying the debt. Neither party comprehends checks and balances. When one party controls two branches, legislation comes from party hacks, disregards the needs of the people and ignores Constitutional structure.
Last week, despite Constitutional restrictions preventing such an act, Congress voted to give the District of Columbia a seat in the House.
The move was an apparent Republican trade for Democrat votes in the Senate on a bill relaxing D.C. gun laws. The Constitution only allows states to have seats in Congress, and a D.C. seat is a permanent Democratic Party gain.
It's as if the elected leaders have neither read nor care what the Constitution says.
"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
The PATRIOT Act originated from the White House during a climate of national panic and slammed through Congress and the Senate. The Senate vote count was 98-1 with one abstaining. Rather than take the political risk of appearing unpatriotic, every Republican in the Senate voted "Aye."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Dr. Repetition
posted 3/04/09 @ 7:27 AM MST
You write the same article every week! This week's has more quotations than opinion.
"With every day in session since the Great Depression they've screwed up. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 3/04/09 @ 3:30 PM MST
Response to Dr. Repetition:
He's in much better company than you are, however:
"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. (Continued…)
Arvensis
posted 3/04/09 @ 6:52 PM MST
Yet, nobody is listening Dr. Repetition! This country has been hijacked and it is going down the shti hole, and we all cheer and stare googly eyed at our savior. (Continued…)
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