Saturday, December 05th, 2009 | Author: markross
“…If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed…” - George Washington (Washington’s Farewell Address 1796)
Category: George Washington
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Sunday, December 13th, 2009 (url)
Please see:
Article 5 of The United States Constitution
Sunday, March 28th, 2010 (url)
Similar to the above line, we have seen over the years, administrations and Supreme Courts rulings that have moved us frightfully away from many areas of (original understanding) our United States Constitution.
I truly believe, in order to force our Federal Government back on course, we need to do a few things:
1. Make Congress, and The President, constitutionally justify every law created.
2. And, as with each law, demand that Federal Court decisions be aligned with the original (Constitutional Law) understanding, as debated, and enumerated by our founders in The Philadelphia (ratifying debates) Convention. Do not let lawmakers and judges use Supreme (Case Law) Court decisions over the years as a guide to deciding on new laws. Constitutional Law is the foundation, and should always be used as the starting point for our Federal court system, and Federal lawmakers!
Sunday, March 28th, 2010 (url)
As usual, great wisdom from George Washington! However, these above words, specifically, remind me of certain laws:
For example, while The Patriot Act was put in place by The Bush Administration to fight the war on terror; and may have been put in place with all the right intentions, who is to say an administration with ill-intentions could not use that same law against the people?
The Constitutionality on The Patriot Act (as with many laws) was highly contested, and it scared a lot of people when it was first created. I find some soles in knowing that it was created with Sunshine Provisions that cause Congress to revisit the law every few years; however, this is the law of unintended consequences that George Washington is referring to in his above statement on Constitutional Amendments.
We need to be careful to not allow usurpations to our Constitution, simply because it is your party, or person in power… Any additional power given to The Federal Government, that is not clearly enumerated in The Constitution, should be prevented by ALL people of good conscience… and lovers of freedom and limited government!