Returning to Constitution: We’ve got to be able to answer criticism such as this letter in San Jose Mercury News 2/21/10
“I am amused by those who want to go back to the ideas of America’s Founding Fathers (Letters, Feb. 13). By all means, let’s re-enslave any African-Americans who can’t prove their ancestors were free in 1865 (the current First Lady would have to be sold). Let’s take away the vote from women and most black people. Let’s run the federal government solely on the revenues from tariffs and land sales (which would eliminate almost the entire government, including the military of which they say they are so fond). Let’s do away wiht Social Security and Medicare, all child-labor laws, all financial and banking regulations, and all environmental laws.
I’m not sure that even those folks who say they embrace the original Constitution would be comfortable in such an 18th-centure world.”
Ronald G. Kirchem Los Altos
WEll, WHERE TO START?
Kirchem has it backwards. It is because our roots are in the Natural Law that slavery was opposed and eventually eradicated. I ask him to defend giving the voting franchise to those who can vote for goodies from others.
As for child labor, minimum wage laws, etc, the states are fully competent to enact their standards consistent with their Constitutions.