“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
The Preamble to the Constitution, transcribed above, is a noble statement of the intent of the 1st Constitutional Convention. It tells us why the founders wrote the remainder of the document
It seems very clear. It’s hard to misunderstand. The Preamble clearly does not grant powers or restrict powers for anyone, or any group, or to the government.
Nevertheless, we hear congressmen and senators in Washington pointing to this Preamble – this statement of intent – as the authority for whatever whim strikes their fancy; for whatever legislation they dream up.
They tell us the Constitution gives them the power to do anything they think will “promote the general Welfare”.
If that were the intention of the Constitution’s writers they could have dispensed with half of the document.
If that were the intention of the Constitution’s writers they wouldn’t created an amendment process.
If that were the intention of the Constitution’s writers they wouldn’t have added the Bill of Rights.
If that were the intention of the Constitution’s writers they wouldn’t have listed the “Powers of Congress” in Section 8.
If that were the intention of the Constitution’s writers they wouldn’t have listed the “Limits on Congress” in Section 9.
Obviously, the writers of the Constitution did not intend Congress to be able to enact whatever law they wished to ascribe to promoting the general welfare. But the current members of that once august body, simply do not care what the Constitution says or what the writers of the Constitution intended
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html
The link above will take you to an on-line version of the Constitution of the United States. If you read it, you will be surprised at what Congress is not allowed to do.
Link to Other Topics in the Special Report: Liberty, Freedom & Slavery
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