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I am pleased that the Constitution has received a lot
of attention in recent weeks, thanks to the tea party movement. The 112th Congress
kicked off with a reading of the Constitution on the floor of the House. It
goes without saying that Members of Congress should have read the
Constitution many times, and should continue to study it.
Citing the particular clause of the Constitution that
authorizes newly introduced legislation is a reasonable suggestion, yet in
reality it will do little to restrain unconstitutional growth of the federal
government. We have had such rules in the past and no benefit came of it.
The laws that are passed reflect the preferences and
personal agendas of those in charge. For too long those agendas have expanded
government at the expense of personal liberty, regardless of which political
party was in charge. This expansion of government clearly violated the Constitution,
yet it was always argued that this or that program somehow conformed to that
"living" document.
By misinterpreting the general welfare clause, the
interstate commerce clause, and the "necessary and proper" clause,
Congress has justified every conceivable expansion of the federal government.
Congress also has misinterpreted the 14th Amendment and legislated as though
it had repealed the 10th Amendment. Sadly, Congress has also systematically
abdicated its prerogatives and responsibilities to the executive branch over
many decades.
Too many people, in and out of Congress, grew up being
taught that the Constitution was a "modern living document." Though
the authors allowed for flexibility through the amendment process, this
process has been ignored for the sake of speed and convenience. As a result,
the Constitution now has little actual meaning.
Our Constitution should be viewed as law, and Members
of Congress should be expected to follow, respect, understand, and uphold the
law. But a document is just a piece of paper if those who represent us and
promise to obey it ignore it instead. Celebrating the Constitution without
this understanding will do nothing to restore the greatness of America.
Simply praising the document distracts from the need
for Members to resist special interests, political self-interests, emergency
needs in times of crisis, fear-based economic myths, and the persistent
temptation to seek security over liberty while ignoring personal
responsibility and self-reliance.
I wonder: will this welcomed renewed interest in the
Constitution lead to a healthy reassessment of all of our policies? Will
there be no more wars without an actual congressional declaration? Will the
Federal Reserve Act be repealed? Will only gold and silver be deemed legal
tender?
Will we end all unconstitutional federal departments,
including the Department of Energy, Education, Agriculture, Commerce, Health
and Human Services, Homeland Security, and Labor?
Will the Patriot Act be repealed and all warrantless
searches stopped?
Will the TSA be abolished?
Will the IRS's unconstitutional collection powers end?
Will executive and judicial quasi-legislative powers end?
Will we end the federal war on drugs?
Will we end the federal government's involvement in medical care?
Will we end all of the federal government's illusionary insurance programs?
Will we ban secret prisons, trials without due process, and assassinations?
Will we end our foreign policy of invasion and occupation?
For America to once again become the standard for a
free society, our love of liberty and desire for peace must far surpass any
public display of fidelity to the Constitution. We must first look to strong
moral character, respect for the rule of law, and an understanding of the
proper role of government in a free society.
Ron Paul
www.house.gov/paul
Copyright Dr. Ron Paul
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