So, I just realized that my brillant idea of typing these posts by sections of boldfaced type or all caps in my case. That they will be shown backwards. So, if you want to start at the beginning of this whole schpill then you'll need to go down a few posts.
To help enforce and maintain this system of balanced federalism, the Constitution provides both external and internal controls on government. Perhaps the best example of an external control is the people's right to cast their votes in frequent public elections. Yet this alone is not a sufficient protection, because elected officials sometimes "change their tune" after assuming office. All too often, a candidate who wins a national election by claiming to support constitutional principles catches "Potomac fever" upon arriving in Washington and quickly becomes part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
Among the internal controls established by the founders are (1) the oath of office, which requires all federal and state officials to pledge their support for the U.S. Consitution; (2) the separation of powers, which divides authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent any one branch or individual from becoming too powerful; and (3) a series of checks and balances that enable the three branches of government to keep each other within their proper bounds.
Unfortunately, these internal devices for maintaining our federal system are now largely ignored. For instance, although the president and the Supremem Court both have authority to resist unconstitutional laws enacted by Congress, they seldom do so. In fact, the Court has actually ruled that "Congress is not limited by the direct grants of legislative power found in the Constitutino." Over the last several decades, such neglect of constitutinoal restraints has allowed Washington to become increasingly abusive toward the states and the citizens of this country.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
that was just the first paragraph and I didn't mean to post it but it happened
Since the only way to restore American federalism is to reinstate the principles on which it was built, this month we are going to focus on the founding father's original design for federal state relations. And on the bias of that design, we suggest a strategy that can help reunite and empower the states as they work to reestablish their proper role in our nation's government.
HOW IS POWER DIVIDED BETWEEN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND THE STATES?
Federalism is the constitutional division of powers between the national and state governments. To function correctly, this kind of political system requires at least two things: a binding agreement that specifies the distribution of powers between the central government and the states, and effective controls for enforcing and maintaining that agreement. To provide these two elements is the main object of the U.S. Constitution. Since both are vital in the current struggle to repair our federal system, let's examine each otherm from the founders' viewpoint.
The framers of our Constitution wanted a strong national government, but they also wanted it to be strictly limited to the functions authorized in the Constitution. Most of these are found in Article I, section 8, which outlines the "enumerated powers" delegated to Congress. And not only does the Constitution specify the powers granted to the central government; it actually prohibits that government from exercising any powers not delegated to it. The 10th Amendment expressly declares that these are "reserved to the states respetively, or to the people."
Thomas Jefferson summarized the basic design of the system: "The people, to whom all authority belongs, have divided the powers of government into two distinct departments [i.e., the national and state governments], the leanding [characteristics] of which are foreign and domestic...These they have made coordinate, checking and balancing each other, each equally supreme as to the powers delegated to itself."
The founders felt so strongly about this division of powers that they regarded the 10th Amendment as "the foundation of the Constitution." Jefferson insisted that "to take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specifically drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition."
HOW IS POWER DIVIDED BETWEEN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND THE STATES?
Federalism is the constitutional division of powers between the national and state governments. To function correctly, this kind of political system requires at least two things: a binding agreement that specifies the distribution of powers between the central government and the states, and effective controls for enforcing and maintaining that agreement. To provide these two elements is the main object of the U.S. Constitution. Since both are vital in the current struggle to repair our federal system, let's examine each otherm from the founders' viewpoint.
The framers of our Constitution wanted a strong national government, but they also wanted it to be strictly limited to the functions authorized in the Constitution. Most of these are found in Article I, section 8, which outlines the "enumerated powers" delegated to Congress. And not only does the Constitution specify the powers granted to the central government; it actually prohibits that government from exercising any powers not delegated to it. The 10th Amendment expressly declares that these are "reserved to the states respetively, or to the people."
Thomas Jefferson summarized the basic design of the system: "The people, to whom all authority belongs, have divided the powers of government into two distinct departments [i.e., the national and state governments], the leanding [characteristics] of which are foreign and domestic...These they have made coordinate, checking and balancing each other, each equally supreme as to the powers delegated to itself."
The founders felt so strongly about this division of powers that they regarded the 10th Amendment as "the foundation of the Constitution." Jefferson insisted that "to take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specifically drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition."
News from the National Center for Constitutional Studies
Ok, guys. This comes from a paper that my gramma Bennett gets in the mail from the National Center for Constitutional Studies . . . It is well worth reading even though it is long. It's two pages written. Mostly I want it recorded somewhere so that I can come back to it and so that others can read it as well.
STATES DEMAND RETURN TO FEDERALISM
An emerging "federalist revolution," is beginning to unfold. Some of the states have launched a bold campaign to reclaim their rightful place in the American political system. this movement could well become one of the most significant developments in modern history, but in order to bear good fruit, it must be rooted in the inspired constitutional formula that made America "the land of the free."
STATES DEMAND RETURN TO FEDERALISM
An emerging "federalist revolution," is beginning to unfold. Some of the states have launched a bold campaign to reclaim their rightful place in the American political system. this movement could well become one of the most significant developments in modern history, but in order to bear good fruit, it must be rooted in the inspired constitutional formula that made America "the land of the free."
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Identity Crisis
Holy Cow! I love this game and ever since I've introduced it to anyone they instantly fall in love with it also!! Matt Player is one who you'd love to video tape the ENTIRE time. He's hilarious!!! We did get some video; it's not the best, but if Mindy is able to figure out how to get it onto her computer from the tape, then you can bet it'll be on facebook! Everyone has their quirks at this game: Dave Nilson always covers his mouth after saying the name, Manuel calmly says a name, Lori and Mindy sit down pretty much every time before they say a name and usually get back in the middle, Mindy and Manuel were our cripples for the evening. Manuel did whatever he did to his leg on monday at FHE playing soccer. He's super good! And Mindy did hers . . . I'm not sure. But she or really her family lives on a dairy farm, so they're extremely cool! I loved that we were pretty much still totally in Logan, but out in the middle of nowhere on a farm. Plus, her house is the old kind, but with modern tint and such. I love it, especially the carpet downstairs! It's not shag, but it sure has a pattern and color schemes you don't see anymore. Matt goes into fetal position or has the legs spread apart and arms thrown in the air with big eyes. He already has big eyes too. Jen goes with a vengence, and is the default name because it's nice and short. Jordan and Peter never existed, but were called enough. Kendel said that if Mindy and Matt could have imaginary friends, he would've brought his if he'd have known. Phil was the most laid back and hardly ever had to move. Brandon made funny faces and I did whatever I did. A great game for all ages as long as they get the idea of the game.
The occasion was that it was Mindy's birthday and Dave had invited me after Constitution class.
Which brings me to another Identity Crisis . . . the United States Citizens. I claim that most of us living the US don't understand what it means to be a US citizen. Under the US Constitution this country formed a People's Law type of government. The PEOPLE rule! We've lost that sense of caring and responsibility/freedom we'd given ourselves or really our Founding Fathers gave us.
I can't claim I understand everything we've lost or exactly how to recover it, but I know we've strayed from true freedom. I learned tons I'd never really considered in that one Constitution class. It's kindof overwhelming at first to start seeing everything I've either been misinformed on in school or what they never even cared to teach me.
The biggest push now, that we need to get out to people is the movement for a Constitutional Convention. It's well funded meaning, by the bad guys. For one to happen, a majority or something like that of the 50 states need to call for it. We need to let our state legislature know that we DON'T want a Constitutional Convention. The last time we had one was when the Constitution itself was ratified. Once we are in a Constitutional Convention, whoever is in on it will be able to make whatever rules they want. It's basically so that they can pass all the socialistic laws and things that they want to and . . . it's just not good. The Constitution talks about it in Article 5 or something? Go to this website; it makes things a bit more clear. http://www.usconstitution.net/constam.html
These are the last days and we can't be idle any longer. It's the dividing of the valiant and not-so-valiant. It becomes more clear as time goes on. I want everyone to be sure of what side I'm on.
The occasion was that it was Mindy's birthday and Dave had invited me after Constitution class.
Which brings me to another Identity Crisis . . . the United States Citizens. I claim that most of us living the US don't understand what it means to be a US citizen. Under the US Constitution this country formed a People's Law type of government. The PEOPLE rule! We've lost that sense of caring and responsibility/freedom we'd given ourselves or really our Founding Fathers gave us.
I can't claim I understand everything we've lost or exactly how to recover it, but I know we've strayed from true freedom. I learned tons I'd never really considered in that one Constitution class. It's kindof overwhelming at first to start seeing everything I've either been misinformed on in school or what they never even cared to teach me.
The biggest push now, that we need to get out to people is the movement for a Constitutional Convention. It's well funded meaning, by the bad guys. For one to happen, a majority or something like that of the 50 states need to call for it. We need to let our state legislature know that we DON'T want a Constitutional Convention. The last time we had one was when the Constitution itself was ratified. Once we are in a Constitutional Convention, whoever is in on it will be able to make whatever rules they want. It's basically so that they can pass all the socialistic laws and things that they want to and . . . it's just not good. The Constitution talks about it in Article 5 or something? Go to this website; it makes things a bit more clear. http://www.usconstitution.net/constam.html
These are the last days and we can't be idle any longer. It's the dividing of the valiant and not-so-valiant. It becomes more clear as time goes on. I want everyone to be sure of what side I'm on.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Re-Enacting a weekend in One Day
Sarah Snow and I went down to Bountiful Temple to take pictures before we went to Taylorsville for Sarah to take her ccCNA test.
The temple is so pretty and we got a little lost before we finally reached it, but just like the beacon it is. We could see it every once in awhile through the trees so we knew we were getting closer. Then we took pictures and smiled and laughed and thought about the temple. we absolutely enjoyed ourselves until the camera said that it was full, so we couldn't take any more pictures. So, we used our phones to do our best and found out a couple things specific to the Bountiful Temple that were oopsies.
And since we'd been planning on going to the Salt Lake temple and taking more pictures and such we needed/were thinking about a way to remedy this. Then I thought!!! Yeh, I know some people in Bountiful! that don't even live very far from the temple. So, I called up the Christensen Family! I accidently called Brian, Jake, because he reminds me so much of my cousin Jake. Oh well, Mom O' Will got on and she said we could come over and use a computer to see if we could get into the folder that needed to be deleted. We couldn't get to it just from the camera itself. Being a pain, and then we couldn't even get to it from the computer so Michelle (Mom O' Will) made a CD for us with the 41 pics we'd already taken. Their family is so nice. Nicole was funny; she couldn't remember who I was and thought I was originally a friend of Katie's and had moved awhile ago. Funny girl. They even let us use their bathroom. We are very grateful.
Finally we're on our way to Taylorsville. The next thing that brought back the weekend with Will taking pictures, was going out to dinner at the Iceberg. Yummy! Even if it wasn't the exact same one. Then we ended finding the very same park that we took Brenda's bridal pictures. Crazy!!! After we'd gotten off 215 to go throught the Airport and backtrack to go past the Salt Lake Temple because we didn't want a storm to face on the way home and it was late already. and Sarah indulged my want to go past the temple, so we were in Salt Lake trying to find an onramp for I-15. Then I saw, Chunga's, which looked familiar. So, we followed the road and found the International Peace park. or gardens. Really pretty, though we didn't get out just went past.
Crazy!
The drive home was entertaining with a call from Josh ? from Snow College. Sarah knows him; we set up a date for July 3rd! I'm excited. To say the least, it was a grand ol' day that Sarah and I needed. It's crazy how much of the day reminded me of the picture taking journey with Will.
The temple is so pretty and we got a little lost before we finally reached it, but just like the beacon it is. We could see it every once in awhile through the trees so we knew we were getting closer. Then we took pictures and smiled and laughed and thought about the temple. we absolutely enjoyed ourselves until the camera said that it was full, so we couldn't take any more pictures. So, we used our phones to do our best and found out a couple things specific to the Bountiful Temple that were oopsies.
And since we'd been planning on going to the Salt Lake temple and taking more pictures and such we needed/were thinking about a way to remedy this. Then I thought!!! Yeh, I know some people in Bountiful! that don't even live very far from the temple. So, I called up the Christensen Family! I accidently called Brian, Jake, because he reminds me so much of my cousin Jake. Oh well, Mom O' Will got on and she said we could come over and use a computer to see if we could get into the folder that needed to be deleted. We couldn't get to it just from the camera itself. Being a pain, and then we couldn't even get to it from the computer so Michelle (Mom O' Will) made a CD for us with the 41 pics we'd already taken. Their family is so nice. Nicole was funny; she couldn't remember who I was and thought I was originally a friend of Katie's and had moved awhile ago. Funny girl. They even let us use their bathroom. We are very grateful.
Finally we're on our way to Taylorsville. The next thing that brought back the weekend with Will taking pictures, was going out to dinner at the Iceberg. Yummy! Even if it wasn't the exact same one. Then we ended finding the very same park that we took Brenda's bridal pictures. Crazy!!! After we'd gotten off 215 to go throught the Airport and backtrack to go past the Salt Lake Temple because we didn't want a storm to face on the way home and it was late already. and Sarah indulged my want to go past the temple, so we were in Salt Lake trying to find an onramp for I-15. Then I saw, Chunga's, which looked familiar. So, we followed the road and found the International Peace park. or gardens. Really pretty, though we didn't get out just went past.
Crazy!
The drive home was entertaining with a call from Josh ? from Snow College. Sarah knows him; we set up a date for July 3rd! I'm excited. To say the least, it was a grand ol' day that Sarah and I needed. It's crazy how much of the day reminded me of the picture taking journey with Will.
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