Is the TSA Constitutional?
Recently, the TSA – in an effort to improve their awful public image – launched a blog. Yes, the TSA is “reaching out” to all of us – and it’s not to pat us down without a warrant…this time. According to a post at ThinkProgress.org, it didn’t kick off too well. In fact, so many [...]
Support the Enumerated Powers Act
From DownsizeDC.org: It’s time for Congress to “cite chapter and verse.” When they pass new laws or spend taxpayer money they should be required to point to the specific language in the Constitution that empowers that action. The “Enumerated Powers Act” would require them to do precisely that. Help us bring this bill to a [...]
Not Yours to Give: Limited Federal Powers
Guest Commentary by David Smith The concept of the Constitution of the United States is not to award unlimited Powers to the Federal Government or to Congress. See also the ideas expressed in Col. Crockett’s speech from my blog, “Not Yours To Give” from a few days ago. The idea is that the States were [...]
The Longest and Most Costly War in American History
If you are concerned at all about liberty, the economy, the Constitution and the power of the Federal Government – you cannot ignore our longest and most costly war – the War on Drugs. It’s now 35 years after Dick Nixon started this “war” -Â and we now have over 1 million – yes, 1 [...]
Waterboarding and the 10th Amendment
The debates over whether Waterboarding constitutes torture or not have been quite heated as of late. Democrats in the Senate have been saying they may not confirm Michael Mukasey as attorney general based on his unclear legal positions on the issue – but some key Dems are now saying that they will approve him.
More Drug War Madness
The unconstitutional drug war rages on – and on, and on. Recently, Federal Agents raided a California small business and arrested three people for running a marijuana candy factory. States rights have no bearing when thugs shut down businesses, destroy families, and throw people in jail.
Restoring the 10th Amendment and Federalism
Restoring the…what? That’s what many people seem to respond with when a discussion of the 10th Amendment, States Rights and Federalism comes up – however infrequent that may be. But it seems that this discussion might be getting a little more attention in the near future.
NAFTA Expansion – It’s Still Unconstitutional
George Bush has formally presented an expansion of NAFTA to Peru. And, under FastTrack “rules,”Congress cannot amend the legislation. What does this mean? Well, it’s quite simple. Under Fast Track, the president has the authority to ignore the will of Congress in negotiating new trade agreements.
Thoughts on Constitution Day: Understanding Positive Grant and Limited Government
Today is a day that’s not celebrated like many other “holidays” in American society. You see, September 17th is Constitution Day – a day that appears to be nearly forgotten in America. Sadly, over the years, people have stopped paying attention to the Constitution. It’s rare to hear people talking about the rules for government [...]
COWs vs the Constitution
Yes, you did read that correctly! Ok, so maybe you’re thinking I’m off my rocker; what in heaven’s name do cows have to do with the Constitution? Well, according to an interesting post by Liliana Segura at AlterNet this week, we learn that COWs is actually a device that Neil Bush is selling to school [...]
In Any Case
A recent OpEd by Mario Cuomo in the Los Angeles Times, What The Constitution Says About Iraq, gave some surprisingly good analysis of how the Iraq war is a direct violation of the constitution. Here’s a few tidbits:
The Root of the Problem
Reports from the UK are talking about a British General lambasting US policy failures in Iraq. From the Guardian: The bitter transatlantic row over Iraq intensified as another key British general lambasted the US for bungling the aftermath of the invasion. Major General Tim Cross, the most senior UK officer involved in the post-war planning, [...]
Understanding Limited Government
Kevin Gutzman’s new book, The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution, might be the best available overview of the principles of limited government as espoused by the Tenth Amendment. After reading this book, you’ll see quite clearly that the original constitution has very little in common with how this government is run today (if you [...]
The Constitution and the Powers of War
DIGG This The framers of the Constitution attempted to balance the power of the President as commander-in-chief with that of Congress, the representatives of the People. Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution gives to the Executive Branch the command of the nation’s armed forces, while Article I, Section 8 gives to the Legislative Branch [...]
Foreign Aid Follies
by Michael Boldin June 3, 2007 The US government is now giving your tax dollars to the Mexican government so that government can improve its ability to tap telephone calls and emails. From the Los Angeles Times report: Mexico is expanding its ability to tap telephone calls and e-mail using money from the U.S. government, [...]
Understanding War Powers: Declare vs. Wage
By Michael Boldin “Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder.” — Thomas Paine One of the many consequences of our current political climate, in which war seems to be almost endless, is that people are often [...]
Unconstitutional Legislation Threatens Freedoms
by Rep. Ron Paul Last week, the House of Representatives acted with disdain for the Constitution and individual liberty by passing HR 1592, a bill creating new federal programs to combat so-called “hate crimes.” The legislation defines a hate crime as an act of violence committed against an individual because of the victim’s race, religion, [...]
War, Atrocities, Jurisdiction and Habeas Corpus
In a recent article on Habeas Corpus, it was shown that the 10th Amendment prevented the federal government from suspending Habeas. Why? Because the Constitution only allows for its suspension in very limited situations. Article I, Section 9 spells this out quite clearly: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, [...]
REAL ID: Rise of the Resistance
State resistance to REAL ID is growing. The Associated Press reports from New Hampshire: The New Hampshire Legislature took a baby step Tuesday toward rejecting what they say amounts to the creation of a national ID card. The House Transportation Committee voted unanimously to recommend barring the state from complying with the federal REAL ID [...]
The Drug War and the Totalitarian Nightmare
The war on drugs continues unabated. As the New York Times recently reported: Frustrated by government policy and inaction, a group of advocates for medical marijuana sued two federal health agencies on Wednesday over the assertion that smoking it has no medical benefit. The group, Americans for Safe Access, a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, [...]
Restricting Rights at Guantanamo, who will be next?
by Michael Boldin As usual, our liberty is under attack by the federal government. An appeals court has just upheld a ruling that prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay are not entitled to habeas corpus, and thus, cannot challenge their detention in court. So, once again, the federal government, through its court system, has overstepped the [...]
Why we have a Tenth Amendment
Guest Commentary by Dan Reale You can ask anybody what the first amendment prevents infringement upon. They might know about one thing, freedom of speech, but incorrectly, tell you we are granted freedom of speech. Even then, most miss the other four inalienable rights the Constitution limits the federal government from violating. Most are equally [...]
Feb 08, 2008 | Categories:Limited Government | Tags: article-1-section-8, Congress, Constitution, Dan Reale, declaration, Education, Enumerated Powers, Federal Reserve, Founding Fathers, Government, Guest Commentary, healthcare, Limited Government, State Sovereignty, tenth-amendment, War, War Powers | 12 Comments »