Post by libslayer on Sept 17, 2013 20:12:40 GMT
Happy Constitution Day! In celebration of that monumental day in September 1787, let’s reflect upon the genius of the Constitution and perhaps take time to help our elected representatives remember its genius as well.
Today’s Washington is wrought with politicians who continually overstep their constitutional limitations and then when asked to correct their acts of usurpation, hide behind constitutional limits that don’t actually exist. The President claims to have no control over executive departments, i.e. IRS, and congress claims to be unable to act because of “mandatory spending.” It is time that we remind our elected representatives what powers and responsibilities they do have.
Delegated Powers The fundamental premise of the Constitution is found in the Declaration of Independence. “That, to secure…rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” We the People have a right to establish a government with restraints, or limits, for the sole purpose of protecting our fundamental rights, “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.” The government cannot go beyond the bounds in which we have given it and we cannot delegate powers to the government that we ourselves do not have.
The Separation of Powers From the philosophies of Polybius and Montesquieu, the Constitution separates the delegated powers between the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches and between the federal government and the states.
“The way to have good and safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many…It is by dividing and subdividing…that all will be done for the best.” –Thomas Jefferson
Each branch of our federal government is given very specific authority over writing the law, executing the law, and interpreting the law. While there is some overlap in powers in the form of checks and balances, none of the branches have been delegated the authority to delegate their powers to any other entity or branch. Nor are they given the authority to ignore such powers.
The President is Hiding Behind…Himself? “The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.” –Article 2, Section 1, Clause 1
The executive branch consists of one individual, the President. He is the entire executive branch. In the Constitutional Convention the founders had actually considered having up to three presidents. They concluded that a single executive is best. All other individuals, departments, etc. are an appendage to the President. While the President cannot legally issue an executive order that regulates and taxes the people or the states, he can extend an executive order to all or part of the executive branch. He is all powerful within the executive branch.
When the President claims that the IRS or the NSA are beyond his control, he is referring to powers that simply do not exist. He has the authority to execute laws. He has all power over executive departments. If he is hiding behind these executive departments, he is only hiding behind himself.
Congress Claims to have Usurped Themselves “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.” –Article 1, Section 1, Clause 1
“All,” not part, not some, “All legislative powers shall be vested…” A careful study of the entire Constitution will not only reveal that congress has sole legislative authority, but they have not been given the authority to delegate even the smallest part to any other branch or governing body.
#DeepInTheHeartOfTexas- LibSlayer
Today’s Washington is wrought with politicians who continually overstep their constitutional limitations and then when asked to correct their acts of usurpation, hide behind constitutional limits that don’t actually exist. The President claims to have no control over executive departments, i.e. IRS, and congress claims to be unable to act because of “mandatory spending.” It is time that we remind our elected representatives what powers and responsibilities they do have.
Delegated Powers The fundamental premise of the Constitution is found in the Declaration of Independence. “That, to secure…rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” We the People have a right to establish a government with restraints, or limits, for the sole purpose of protecting our fundamental rights, “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.” The government cannot go beyond the bounds in which we have given it and we cannot delegate powers to the government that we ourselves do not have.
The Separation of Powers From the philosophies of Polybius and Montesquieu, the Constitution separates the delegated powers between the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches and between the federal government and the states.
“The way to have good and safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many…It is by dividing and subdividing…that all will be done for the best.” –Thomas Jefferson
Each branch of our federal government is given very specific authority over writing the law, executing the law, and interpreting the law. While there is some overlap in powers in the form of checks and balances, none of the branches have been delegated the authority to delegate their powers to any other entity or branch. Nor are they given the authority to ignore such powers.
The President is Hiding Behind…Himself? “The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.” –Article 2, Section 1, Clause 1
The executive branch consists of one individual, the President. He is the entire executive branch. In the Constitutional Convention the founders had actually considered having up to three presidents. They concluded that a single executive is best. All other individuals, departments, etc. are an appendage to the President. While the President cannot legally issue an executive order that regulates and taxes the people or the states, he can extend an executive order to all or part of the executive branch. He is all powerful within the executive branch.
When the President claims that the IRS or the NSA are beyond his control, he is referring to powers that simply do not exist. He has the authority to execute laws. He has all power over executive departments. If he is hiding behind these executive departments, he is only hiding behind himself.
Congress Claims to have Usurped Themselves “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.” –Article 1, Section 1, Clause 1
“All,” not part, not some, “All legislative powers shall be vested…” A careful study of the entire Constitution will not only reveal that congress has sole legislative authority, but they have not been given the authority to delegate even the smallest part to any other branch or governing body.
#DeepInTheHeartOfTexas- LibSlayer