Constitution Lectures 3: The Powers of Government (HD version)

The Federal government does not have any powers unless it is given to them by the Constitution. This lesson explains why, how it works, and what the consequences are.

If you're worried about the Federal government taking too much unconstitutional power, you can write Congress to support the Enumerated Powers Act which, as of this writing, has 60 cosponsors in the House (HR 450) and 23 in the Senate (S 1319): https://secure.downsizedc.org/etp/campaigns/87

Category:

Education

Tags:

• freedom
• liberty
• lecture
• constitution
• politics

[mrphoo67]

What is the best way to respond a comment from a user who says there is no war in libya.

[shanedk]

@mrphoo67 Smack him upside the head? Ask him what you call it when a military goes into a country and starts killing people?

[shchpendrop]

Social security is NOT unconstitutional. Helvering v. Davis.

[shanedk]

Fine; where in Article I Section 8 is it authorized?

Don't look to the Supreme Court for guidance; they said that it was OK to steal property and give it to a big corporation, and that an innocent man jailed for 18 years due to multiple acts of fraud by multiple prosecutors doesn't deserve compensation.

[shchpendrop]

@shanedk Well, I thought the buck stops at the supreme court when it comes to what is constitutional and what is unconstitutional. So I guess you believe that the supreme court doesn't pay heed to the constitution. That effectively makes the constitution a meaningless document; what's the point of a constitution if ALL branches of government ignore it?

[shanedk]

@shchpendrop "Well, I thought the buck stops at the supreme court when it comes to what is constitutional and what is unconstitutional."

Wrong. See Lecture 6.

[managarm1349]

the bill of rights got seriously assraped since 9/11 hahaaha

[OregonTAC]

all in all a very good presentation.

[OregonTAC]

A better understanding of the 14th amendment can be found in Government by Judiciary by Raoul Berger. He disagrees with the original meaning you attributed to the 14th...

[shanedk]

@PlainSight52 That was part of the agreement: the states agreed that they would give up certain powers in exchange for being part of the union.