Posted by
JDG on Sunday, October 25, 2009 5:10:54 PM
As I watch the news, read blogs and have discussions with others around me it seems that most Americans don't really know the role of the congress as intended by the founding fathers, and those that do (or think they do) constantly refer to the "necessary and proper" clause as their permission slip to ask for more from those in Washington. I've looked at Article One, Section 8 several times and I have only come up with the following specific items as noted by the founders. Obviously whether you are a strict or broad constructionist is going to have a bearing on your particular stance and also how you interpret "necessary and proper". Let's take a look at what I have found and deal with interpretation later...
1. Lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, excises (THEY ARE REAL GOOD AT THIS)
2. Provide for the common defense (defence) (OUR MILITARY IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD)
3. Welfare, health, happiness or prosperity, well-being (THAT IS WAAAYY OPEN TO INTERPRETATION)
4. Borrow money (REALLY, REALLY GOOD AT THIS)
5. Regulate commerce (FOR THEIR BENEFIT (WE WILL TALK ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE LATER)
6. Uniform rule of naturalization (THAT'S A JOKE)
7. Laws on bankruptcies (ALWAYS CHANGING)
8. Coin money (PRINTING PRESSES NEVER STOPPING, VALUE GOING DOWN)
9. Fix standard of weights/measures (HARD TO MESS THIS UP)
10. Punishment for counterfeiting
11. Establish post offices (EFFICIENCY AT ITS BEST)
12. Post roads
13. Patents
14. Tribunals
15. Punish piracy (SOMALIA???)
16. Declare war (WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TERM "WAR ON TERRORISM")
17. Raise/support armies (SINCE THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE THE RECRUITMENT HASN'T BEEN BETTER)
18. Maintain navy (OUR NAVY ROCKS)
19. Rules for military (HAMSTRINGED POSSIBLY)
20. Calling forth militia
I will write about how I feel on each as I get a chance. This is more cathartic for me than anything however if anyone reads my thoughts feel free to voice an opinion or correct if you also need a cathartic moment.
Have a nice day.