Bill of Rights: Born From the Fight Over Delegated and Reserved Powers
On December 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified and became part of the Constitution. Most people think they know why. But most actually don’t. It was birthed out of a brutal political battle between Federalists and Anti-Federalists over a question that nearly...
The Ninth Amendment: Partner to the Tenth in Limiting Federal Power
The Ninth Amendment. Most people don’t know what it says or means. Others just ignore it. Those who don’t, usually get it completely wrong. The Ninth isn’t a grant of additional federal power. It’s a partner to the Tenth Amendment and a firewall for...
Defend the Guard: A Constitutional Check on Unrestricted War Powers
Presidential administrations come and go but the war machine churns relentlessly on. “Defend the Guard” legislation can throw a monkey wrench in its cogs. Defend the Guard is a state-level bill that would stop the deployment of a state’s National Guard units unless...