101 Constitutional Questions To Ask Candidates

National Center for Constitutional Studies ^ | Unknown | National Center for Constitutional Studies

[King Prout]

as an understatement, that'll do

[King Prout]

you ought to consider finishing the piece.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks. Bookmarked.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[handk]

In 30 years, I had never even thought about it. But, it is true, the Declaration of Independence, while a historically spectacular document, it has no legal meaning in the United States. (Obviously anything from it incorporated into the Constitution, has meaning, but the Document has no legal effect.)

I agree. In contract law, and that is what the Constitution is, specificity always supercedes generalities.

[Weirdad]

Fabulous POST. Thank you.

[handk]

OK, they say at several points in this analysis that all federal programs that have no basis in the Constitution's grants of power are unconstitutional. But then they turn around and propose this idea. Where's the constitutional basis for any of this that they're talking about?

I see your point; good call. However, if you re-read #57 I don't see any specific reference to an annuity program being a mandated government edict. I think the author was simply suggesting that if an individual voluntarily chose to participate in such a program, independent and separate from any governmental construct, that he or she would be much better off financially at retirement than would be the case under social security.

[handk]

Oh, so you are incapable of answering a simple question. Okay, never mind.

I didn't answer your question because the answer is self-evident; I posted to generate discussion and thought. This is FreeRepublic.com, that's what we do here, discuss and think.

Moreover, we're in an election cycle, so my post is both appropriate and timely.

[handk]

And by posting this ... you provided a needed benchmark. To preserve the Constution and founding concepts we need frequent reminders if what the Constitution is meant to be.

Thanks!

First of all you're welcome!

Your post could be summed up with the famous quote; "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."

What does that mean to me, or rather what it should mean to Americans, is this: it means that occassionaly (at the very least), you should turn off the football game and read a newspaper, a book, or god forbid, the U.S. Constitution.

If the above maxim (quoted above) is a fundamental truism, then it's inverse should also be true as well:

The consequence of deliberate and self-imposed ignorance is tyranny.

Think so?

[international american]

"Yes. It is called an annuity program. If the money contributed by an employee (and his employer) between 25 and 65 were invested in American industries under an annuity plan, the fund could be built to a quarter of a million dollars by the time he retires. An annuity fund of this kind would permit an employee to retire at $1,200 to $1,500 per month. Furthermore, the money is his. He does not have to be poor to get it. If he dies it goes to his widow and children. He earned it. He owns it."

Amen!!

[lilylangtree]

Good post!

[WhiteGuy]

Outstanding.

BUMP