The “C” (Constitution) Word
January 6, 2010
At the onset, let me acknowledge that I am a Republican and that I served as Chairman of the Douglas County Republican Party from 1993-1995.
So, for the reader to say that I am “partisan” is a correct statement. However, my partisanship has nothing to do with political parties but rather the U.S. Constitution. I am adherent to the Constitution.
After reading Senator Nelson’s “Midland Voices”, December 27, 2009 article, I was amazed at the following three comments:
- The current debate about Medicaid funding should be a discussion of unfunded federal mandates.
- Unlike the federal government, Nebraska can’t borrow its way out of debt.
- Then it drew criticism from partisans mainly interested in finding any way to derail health reform.
After the failure of the first Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, the Framers created a government and purposefully assigned specific duties and responsibilities to the three branches of government. Article I covers the Legislative (Congress), Article II covers the Executive (President) and Article III covers the Judicial (Supreme Court).
Due to the Framers’ fear of big government and to make sure there was no misunderstanding, the Framers delineated the specific duties of Congress in Article I, Section 8, paragraphs 1 thru 18. To further strengthen this ideal, the Framers included Amendment IX (Rights retained by the people) and Amendment X (Rights reserved to the states) in the Bill of Rights. There is no evidence that those who wrote and ratified the Constitution thought federal power would extend to mandatory health care for the citizenry. Surely, during this period citizens got sick and died.
Unlike Senator Nelson and most members of Congress, I and a majority of Nebraska citizens oppose unfunded mandates and health care reform.
We do so, not because of partisanship, but because we believe both issues violate the U.S. Constitution… both in spirit and by the letter of the law. Implicit in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution is an underlying principle that the final arbiter of power is “We the People”.
Also, I found his remark that “the federal government has the ability to borrow its way out of debt” most disturbing. If this reflects the attitude of Congress, we now know the source of the Nation’s economic problems. As I recall my eight grade economic classes and throughout my life, the following principles have been good to live by:
- Supply and Demand
- The law of diminishing return
- You can’t borrow yourself out of debt
It appears Congress hasn’t figured this out yet. My recommendation is that Congress take a basic refresher course in Economics and the U.S. Constitution.
GLENN M. FREEMAN, Chairman
National Council of Censors
Topics: Constitution | 1 Comment »
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