Reader comments
Readers' forum: Congress lacks power

Power? | 1:21 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Our founding fathers knew first hand that the government is a terrible master! That's why they wisely drafted the constitution: to limit the power of the federal government! Now that we have come this far, the government doesn't need the contitution, it only needs a Democrat majority!

And while you're at it, Don | 4:26 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Let's get some litigation going to dismantle the EPA, FEMA, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, OSHA, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Center for Disease Control, etc.

Beyond the "General Welfare" clause, many of these benefit individuals directly, the vice you speak of. It's just not realistic to expect that each state with have a Nuclear Regulatory Commissions.

I know I sleep better at night when I hear an airplane above me, knowing the federal govt mandates inspections, pilot physicals & other competency exams. The water I drink is clean, thanks to the EPA. Can you imagine the air we would be breating without the EPA imposing its will on auto manufacturers?

Thanks Don, I'll keep much of those "unconstitutional" programs. Healthcare reform itself will benefit society in general... the "General Welfare" described in the Constitution.

Give your ideas a makeover & get an opinion consistent with the century you're living in.

Anonymous | 7:21 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

This letter is woefully ill-informed. So states have the power over individuals? Ridiculous. The basic premise of this letter is so far-fetched that it is not worth addressing in detail. It doe not reflect reality, nor the principles of our government. It merely reflects a poorly informed partisan opinion.

Comments continue below

@While you are at it..... | 8:05 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

The century we are living in? This shall be called the China Century. The US has been tied down by its lilliputin socialists.

jackhp | 8:26 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

"The states and public ... should legally contest the acts of Congress – and the executive branch, too."

Good luck with aaaalllllll that!

Brother Chuck Schroeder | 8:40 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Congress HAS POWER, but is corrupt, & a few companies controll them fully. Florida has alone in it over 1 Million and growing unemployed. National News tells more claims are growing. Not going down. Perhaps it's time for all State's to issue a declaration of independence from the Federal Government, seeing 4 Companies in the food Ind., controls, not only what we eat, but employment as well, a few drug companies control the rest, and, all have ties to the GOP and Democrat's, plus are in Office as well, and other key government jobs to, (watch and LEARN from the movie, FOOD, Inc. that just came out on DVD, that people like Glenn Beck don't want you to know about either), and know and learn what's really going on in America. If these numbers of 512k dropped, it's because ICE busted some 15 illegals working in these companies and deported them, left the rest there to keep mass production going, and hired say 50 more that's being bused here from mexico daily. Sorry, I don't buy this story at all folks. I know better, do you?.

@ 8:05 | 9:00 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

"The century we are living in? This shall be called the China Century. The US has been tied down by its lilliputin socialists."

So your thesis is that because of our desire to stop letting people go bankrupt or die due to lack of insurance that we are socialists and that communist China is going to control the next century? By that reasoning we should go communist.

Please people, it doesnt take long to read your post before you hit the 'add your comment' button.

Locke | 9:14 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Don Olsen is absolutely correct that Congress and the President have long overstepped their Constitutional bounds.

"Amendment IX. The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

Clearly, the Federal government has no right to deal with health care or business because those rights are not delegated by the Constitution.

Anonymous | 9:55 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Conservatives clearly dont understand the constitution as evidenced by this letter and the comments.

Have at it, sue the federal government if you are so sure.

Steve (the acutary) | 10:06 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Is run by each individual state, not congress learn what you are talking about. Also note, of all government run healthcare medicade is the worst.

Charles | 3:00 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

@Don: preach on brother! You are correct and those who argue with you should actually read the Constitution.

All Knowing | 4:09 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I understand what you're saying (@While you're at it, Don 4:26 a.m.) But, since the government can do seemingly anything it wants, what good is the US Constitution as a limiting document?

What if someone challenged the authority and power of FAA or OSHA or FDA and it went to the Supreme court for a decision? What would the Justices decide in applying Article 1 Section 8 and Amendments IX and X?

KJB | 5:56 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I love it when conservatives who rabbit on about "states rights" come running to the federal government when individual states decide to permit things like gay marriage or medicinal marijuana.

Have whatever hare-brained opinion you like, but at least be consistent...

Stewart | 10:03 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

If Congress Doesn't have the power, what gives the Administration the power to do what they do. In my opinion the Administration has usurped far more of our rights than even the congress.

mark | 11:00 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

KJB, you are right. According to the argument made by some conservatives the fed has no authority at all to outlaw any drugs. Bye, Bye DEA.

Anonymous | 12:11 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009

If it was all about states' rights, some states in this country would still have slavery. Sometimes the federal government has to step in and correct the wrongs happening on the state level.

Freddie | 12:38 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009

The question is not so much the extent of federal government power (which looks to be limitless) but how it is that the government can exercise powers beyond what is enumerated in Article 1 Section 8.

If this country needs an all powerful, unlimited central authority, one would think the Congress would amend the Constitution to make it possible and end the debate.

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