Monday, September 26, 2005
Is Constitution Day Unconstitutional?
An Unconstitutionally Teachable Moment: "...a 2005 appropriations bill requiring all institutions that receive federal funds, including thousands of schools, to teach about the Constitution every September 17, the anniversary of its signing...provide(s) a perfect 'teachable moment,' a chance to explain how, when it comes to education, federal policymakers have ignored the Constitution for decades.
Article I, Section 8 lists the few -- and only -- powers belonging to the federal government. They include the power to borrow money, regulate commerce with other nations, establish post offices, raise and regulate military forces -- and little else. In contrast, the list of powers the Constitution does not delegate to the federal government is almost limitless, including powers to fund schools, regulate schools, and even require schools to teach about the Constitution.
...one would think our legislators -- especially the Constitutional "experts" among them -- would understand that the federal government has only a few, enumerated powers, and that the states and people have all the rest."
Article I, Section 8 lists the few -- and only -- powers belonging to the federal government. They include the power to borrow money, regulate commerce with other nations, establish post offices, raise and regulate military forces -- and little else. In contrast, the list of powers the Constitution does not delegate to the federal government is almost limitless, including powers to fund schools, regulate schools, and even require schools to teach about the Constitution.
...one would think our legislators -- especially the Constitutional "experts" among them -- would understand that the federal government has only a few, enumerated powers, and that the states and people have all the rest."
