Government Powers
 

Example 1

A foundation pillar of our Constitution is that government can only do that which is delegated to it by the people.  These are itemized or "enumerated" powers.  The 10^th Amendment to the Constitution reiterates this concern by stating, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the Sates respectively, or to the people."  Therefore, the Federal government can only exercise those few powers authorized by the Constitution.  Adherence to this law makes the National government as powerful as needed but does not allow it to meddle in an endless number of concerns.  Sadly, the misdirected have trodden on this great principle.

Listen to this stomach-turning quote.

"My belief was that it was not only his [President's] right but his duty do ANYTHING that the needs of the Nation demanded unless such action was forbidden by the Constitution or by Law.  Under this interpretation of Executive power I did and caused to be done many things not previously done by the President and the heads of the Departments."  (President Theodore Roosevelt)

As you can see, this self-serving Presidential interpretation turns the Constitution on its head.  After this executive position was taken, presidents thereafter (especially in the last 65 years) have issued executive orders by the thousands, usurping Congressional authority to make law.  When a President's executive order goes beyond his own cabinet and requires a citizen to do anything or refrains a citizen's action, then it is law, unconstitutional law.

Example 2

For decades now, politicians have been increasing the size, cost and authority of government, all under the guise of caring for the people.  They have changed our "limited" form of government to an "unlimited" one.  Was that the original intent?  The Constitution itself, if followed, refutes this usurpation.  Here are two statements from our Founders that teach the correct role of government.

"… a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits or industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.  This is the sum of good government."  (Thomas Jefferson)

"If Congress can employ money indefinitely, for the general welfare, and are the sole and supreme judges of the general welfare, they may take the care of religion into their own hands; they may appoint teachers in every state, county, and parish, and pay them out of the public treasury; they may take into their own hands the education of children, the establishing in like manner schools throughout the union; they may assume the provision of the poor ... Were the power of Congress to be established in the latitude contended for, it would subvert the very foundations, and transmute the very nature of the limited government established by the people of America."  (James Madison)

It's easy for the honest student to realize that our government today is immersed in thousands of good causes that they simply are not authorized to be involved in.  If people want to change the Constitution, then change it, but do it legally.  The "Father of our Country" warned us of what would happen if we changed the law through usurpation.

"If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates.  But let there be no change by usurpations; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed."  (George Washington)