Today the Supreme Court of the United States interpreted the Constitution for the United States by overturning the District of Columbia's ban on handguns, and affirmed that an individual has the Right to own and bear arms.
I have a number of concerns with the Supreme Court's decision: One, I thought the Constitution for the United States was intended for the federal government, not state governments (they have their own constitutions), or even city governments (who should be under the jurisdiction of their state's constitution). Two, I thought somewhere in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution for the United States it says something about Congress having exclusive legislative authority within the ten square miles that makes up our national (federal) seat of government. Three, because of this decision how many pro-gun groups are we now going to have file law suits against states and cities arguing that the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution for the United States now applies to them?
The Constitution for the United States, with the exception of Article IV, applies to the government of the United States, not the states. The states still have Rights whether the federal government likes it or not.
Why is the Supreme Court telling the government of the District of Columbia that it does not have the authority to restrict handguns? Wouldn't that be the responsibility of Congress? If Congress delegates that authority to city officials who then decide to ban handguns, what's the problem? If Congress, having authority under Article I, Section 8, of the US Constitution, delegates their exclusive jurisdiction to a mayor and city council, who use that authority to ban handguns in their city, what's the problem?
Although I'm glad the US Supreme Court listened to a case actually dealing with the US Constitution, and the 2nd Amendment for that matter, I'm concerned with their decision.
The Right of an individual to own and bear arms can not be granted by the Supreme Court, the Congress, the President, or even the Constitution for the United States. Affirming that Right is appreciated but only so far as it means the government of the United States respects the Constitution for the United States and will not infringe of the Rights of the individual. State and city governments should be able to tell those who enter that they are not permitted to bring in certain handguns. If I don't like their restrictions on certain handguns then I have 49 other states to choose from. This Right to bear arms is founded through Nature's Law and it can not be taken away, only limited, or restricted. Not even the District of Columbia can take the Right away, hence all of the 'criminals' within the District of Columbia who own and bear arms.
These are the political opinions of a Grass Root. For further discussion on this article please go to the Statesman Society.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Congratulations Congressman Chaffetz
Congratulations Jason on defeating the incumbent, Congressman Chris Cannon. Your platform of change was very successful and many of your supporters have high hopes that you will come through with all that you claim to stand for.
Your key issues of fiscal discipline, limited government, accountability, strong national defense, and immigration are very telling of the type of representative you will be. But, are you a Politician or a Statesman? Will you be a Ron Paul or a Nancy Pelosi? Time will tell.
Your claim that Congressman Cannon wasn't conservative enough will make your term an interesting one. Will you be more conservative than Congressman Cannon was? What exactly does that mean? Again, time will tell.
Your key issues of fiscal discipline, limited government, accountability, strong national defense, and immigration are very telling of the type of representative you will be. But, are you a Politician or a Statesman? Will you be a Ron Paul or a Nancy Pelosi? Time will tell.
Your claim that Congressman Cannon wasn't conservative enough will make your term an interesting one. Will you be more conservative than Congressman Cannon was? What exactly does that mean? Again, time will tell.
You get a pass on your first two years in Congress because it'll take that long just to get acquainted with all the drama that takes place in Washington DC. But remember, you made promises and we intend to hold you to them.
We'll be watching you!
These are the political opinions of a Grass Root. For further discussion on this article please go to the Statesman Society.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Politics versus Statesmanship
I have heard the term "Statesman" used to describe our lawmakers in Congress, and in our own Legislature, and I find its misuse to be very demeaning to those who faithfully serve in government. I believe there are differences between Statesmen and Politicians and we need to be mindful of both. The following are examples of what I believe are the differences between the two:
A Politician runs for office.
A Statesman is called to serve.
A Politician supports legislation that promotes socialism.
A Statesman supports legislation that promotes liberty.
A Politician believes he must compete against the powers of the Executive in spite of the Constitution.
A Statesman believes he must check the powers of the Executive according to the Constitution.
A Politician acts like his constituents serve him.
A Statesman acts like he serves his constituents.
A Politician is willing to compromise to promote his agenda.
A Statesman will not compromise his principles.
A Politician is planning for the next election.
A Statesman is planning for the next generation.
A Politician fears the polls.
A Statesman fears God.
I would hope that all of our representatives would conduct themselves as Statesmen, but sadly, I don't believe this is the case. I also hope that each of us would search out men and women of strong moral character to represent us in Congress and in our Legislature as Statesmen and Stateswomen.
These are the political opinions of a Grass Root. For further discussion on this article please go to the Statesman Society.
A Politician runs for office.
A Statesman is called to serve.
A Politician supports legislation that promotes socialism.
A Statesman supports legislation that promotes liberty.
A Politician believes he must compete against the powers of the Executive in spite of the Constitution.
A Statesman believes he must check the powers of the Executive according to the Constitution.
A Politician acts like his constituents serve him.
A Statesman acts like he serves his constituents.
A Politician is willing to compromise to promote his agenda.
A Statesman will not compromise his principles.
A Politician is planning for the next election.
A Statesman is planning for the next generation.
A Politician fears the polls.
A Statesman fears God.
I would hope that all of our representatives would conduct themselves as Statesmen, but sadly, I don't believe this is the case. I also hope that each of us would search out men and women of strong moral character to represent us in Congress and in our Legislature as Statesmen and Stateswomen.
These are the political opinions of a Grass Root. For further discussion on this article please go to the Statesman Society.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The Three Blind Mice
Three blind mice,
Three blind mice,
See how they run,
See how they run,
They all ran after the farmer's wife,
She cut off their tails with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a sight in your life,
As three blind mice?
What a mess our political parties have made of our precious United States of America. The Democrats, Republicans, and those of the Third Party (Libertarians, Constitutionalists, and Greenies) keep vying for power over our nation while they compromise our liberties along the way.
The Democrats continue to move 'progressively' towards socialism. Their leaders promise to tax (take) more and more from the evil-wealthy and redistribute it to the poor and meek. To all Democrats: a system of government where the people are forced into equality doesn't work! That leads to socialism which leads to tyranny! Remember the Soviet Union?
The Republicans seem to have lost their identity and now want to compete against their brethren the Democrats. To all Republicans: when Democrats and Republicans are so able and willing to switch parties you have to realize that there's no difference between either. Please refer to my statement to the Democrats.
And to those Third Party-types (the Constitutionalists, Libertarians, and Greenies): Come on! Pick a side and fight. Either you are a socialist or you believe in liberty. If you believe in liberty then please get involved and save our precious nation. To all Third Party-types: crying about the problem doesn't solve the problem. You actually need to do something instead of emailing each other and attending conventions.
I hear many who say we should just follow the Constitution of the United States. I wonder what amended version we should follow? Do these Constitutionalists support the 14th Amendment? What about the 16th Amendment? How about the 17th Amendment? What does it mean these days when we say we should follow the Constitution of the United States?
Will our political parties ever merge into one giant party known as the United States of America?
To quote the first President of the United States, George Washington, in his Farewell Address:
"All obstructions to the execution of the Laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests.
"However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion."
Take that you evil political parties!
When are we the people going to stop choosing political parties to represent us and choose men and women of strong moral character who actually want to represent us, the people? When are we going to elect men and women who are willing to follow the strict guidelines found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States? Nothing more? Nothing less?
These are the political opinions of a Grass Root. For further discussion on this article please go to the Statesman Society.
Three blind mice,
See how they run,
See how they run,
They all ran after the farmer's wife,
She cut off their tails with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a sight in your life,
As three blind mice?
What a mess our political parties have made of our precious United States of America. The Democrats, Republicans, and those of the Third Party (Libertarians, Constitutionalists, and Greenies) keep vying for power over our nation while they compromise our liberties along the way.
The Democrats continue to move 'progressively' towards socialism. Their leaders promise to tax (take) more and more from the evil-wealthy and redistribute it to the poor and meek. To all Democrats: a system of government where the people are forced into equality doesn't work! That leads to socialism which leads to tyranny! Remember the Soviet Union?
The Republicans seem to have lost their identity and now want to compete against their brethren the Democrats. To all Republicans: when Democrats and Republicans are so able and willing to switch parties you have to realize that there's no difference between either. Please refer to my statement to the Democrats.
And to those Third Party-types (the Constitutionalists, Libertarians, and Greenies): Come on! Pick a side and fight. Either you are a socialist or you believe in liberty. If you believe in liberty then please get involved and save our precious nation. To all Third Party-types: crying about the problem doesn't solve the problem. You actually need to do something instead of emailing each other and attending conventions.
I hear many who say we should just follow the Constitution of the United States. I wonder what amended version we should follow? Do these Constitutionalists support the 14th Amendment? What about the 16th Amendment? How about the 17th Amendment? What does it mean these days when we say we should follow the Constitution of the United States?
Will our political parties ever merge into one giant party known as the United States of America?
To quote the first President of the United States, George Washington, in his Farewell Address:
"All obstructions to the execution of the Laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests.
"However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion."
Take that you evil political parties!
When are we the people going to stop choosing political parties to represent us and choose men and women of strong moral character who actually want to represent us, the people? When are we going to elect men and women who are willing to follow the strict guidelines found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States? Nothing more? Nothing less?
These are the political opinions of a Grass Root. For further discussion on this article please go to the Statesman Society.
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