Real Meaning of the Constitution

[William Joyce]

Once upon a time, the Constitution conferred a specific list of powers to the federal government. You didn't have to twist your mind over what it was --- they were listed in Article I. Everything else was a state power.

Today, it's flipped. The feds do whatever the hell they want, whenever, however, and anyone who opposes gets blown away.

Taxing and spending is how this has been accomplished. If the feds can't find legal authority to do something, they just tax you and set up a program to spend it into place. Doubt it? Look at your federal income taxes.

To return to the true meaning of the Constitution, the federal government should only be allowed to spend money on things listed in Article I, like the military, etc.

Nothing else.

That's my five cents.

 

[_dmp_]

Originally posted by William Joyce


Today, it's flipped. The feds do whatever the hell they want, whenever, however, and anyone who opposes gets blown away.

Alas - the one redeeming quality LEFT w/ the Feds...Firepower!


[edit] Forgot my token Black woman photo:

 

[William Joyce]

dmp tastin' that brown sugah!

 

[_dmp_]

Originally posted by William Joyce
dmp tastin' that brown sugah!

Who DOESN'T??? At least WANT to...secretly or otherwise...



:soul:

 

[Hobbit]

After taking a look at our history, I've figured out how this happened. During times of crisis, the federal government has assigned itself emergency powers. However, they didn't lay down those powers once the crisis was over. Examples:

During the Civil War, Lincoln demanded that all state militaries submit to the command of Gen. Grant so that he could use the combined armies of the North against the South. Now, all troops, including the National Guard and other local groups, are under federal control.

During the Great Depression, Roosevelt spent a lot of money stimulating the economy and providing money for the jobless. Welfare still exists.

Every major crisis, it gets worse.

 

[DKSuddeth]

Is that kelly from destiny's child?

 

[NewGuy]

Originally posted by Hobbit
After taking a look at our history, I've figured out how this happened. During times of crisis, the federal government has assigned itself emergency powers. However, they didn't lay down those powers once the crisis was over. Examples:

During the Civil War, Lincoln demanded that all state militaries submit to the command of Gen. Grant so that he could use the combined armies of the North against the South. Now, all troops, including the National Guard and other local groups, are under federal control.

During the Great Depression, Roosevelt spent a lot of money stimulating the economy and providing money for the jobless. Welfare still exists.

Every major crisis, it gets worse.

EXACTLY!

That is the only way it can be justified. When you examine that in combination with the fact that the war powers acts are not even all displaced in the national archives, it makes you think.

Just ask yourself as well, "How many wars were officially delclaired OVER?"

 

[_dmp_]

Originally posted by DKSuddeth
Is that kelly from destiny's child?

Yes.

 

[acludem]

If you look at the history, the real reason the federal government grew is because states failed to take care of their responsibilties. The states failed so the people went to the federal government. The federal government didn't become what we see today or even resemble it until the Great Depression. What Lincoln did pales in comparison. The Great Depression was the final realization that only the federal government had the resources to help large numbers of people in crisis. After the Depression and World War II, it seemed to be the general consensus that the Federal government would have to take on responsibility for keeping the economy going, otherwise Depression would happen again.

acludem

 

[NewGuy]

Originally posted by acludem
If you look at the history, the real reason the federal government grew is because states failed to take care of their responsibilties. The states failed so the people went to the federal government. The federal government didn't become what we see today or even resemble it until the Great Depression. What Lincoln did pales in comparison. acludem

The reason for growth has not much to do with war powers nor subverting the Constitution as a result.

Although, there were a few things having to do with government growth that were illegal as well.

 

[William Joyce]

If you look at the history, the real reason the federal government grew is because states failed to take care of their responsibilties. The states failed so the people went to the federal government.

Only if you consider it the responsibility of government to take care of people. Some of us think that's the responsibility of the people themselves.

In any event, the federal government was not created to be a welfare state. But it is. The poster who said emergencies expand the power is right. Problem is, once the emergency goes away, THE PROGRAM STAYS IN PLACE. Did you know that we had the WWI mohair subsidy for decades after WWI? The mohair herders loved it, and nobody was against it, so it stayed.

We should require all emergency things to have sunset provisions.