[SouthTexas]

Every action by the Feds does not have to be mandated

Yes it does. "WE" have allowed the politicians to run roughshod over "our" rights for WAY too long and "WE" are the only ones to blame. This has produced unconstitutional "departments" such as energy-that has never produced any, and education-that has never educated one child.

Col. Crockett's "Not Yours to Give" is quite applicable.

[HitmanLV]

There is a 200 year history behind what I said. I's been the law for as long as the nation. The 10th Amendment is not necessarily a bar to elective action like this.

Period.

[ApplegateRanch]

Mr Crockett's argument was well founded, in that it provided for unconstitutional "individual welfare" benefiting ONLY the one specific named widow, rather than adhering to Article 1; Section 8; Clause 1's ..."provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States..."

Congress has lawfully and constitutionally appropriated the monies into an account, which the President has used to allocate these funds. Arguably they promote the general welfare of the United States, in that it has an effect on the standing of the US in the world community; and it advances the United State's diplomatic interests.

It (perhaps) even 'provides for the common defense" by reducing the dependence of the worst hit areas and populations to be exploited by our enemies.

On a practical level, it would be damned difficult to get the Supremes to buy an 'unconstitutional' argument on foreign aid, and constitutionally, their job is to interpret what that document says.

Without specific knowledge, I'll simply posit that there MIGHT be some treaty obligations involved in this, as well; if so, the Constitution also mandates those be fulfilled as "law of the land".

On the personal level, I applaud President Bush both for ALLOCATING (not "giving") the already appropriated aid funds; and for measured response. Please note, he also said if more is needed, he will ASK CONGRESS to appropriate more.

BTW, we also gave out of our own pockets; we did not simply let the government be our total surrogate in this.