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To: robertpaulsen
Ah. Would that then also apply to airlines? Radio, TV, cellphone licensing? Railroads? Trucking?

If someone constructs a railroad which operates entirely within a state and does not connect to the national railroad network, why should Congress have any authority over it?

If a trucking company operates entirely within a state, in a manner which does not interfere with traffic on public rights of way, again I don't see Congress' authority.

As a practical matter, I would think it useful for Congress to have authority over airspace and airwaves even for intra-state flights and transmissions, but I see nothing in the Constitution that gives it such authority. I also see nothing that provides Congress the authority to authorize long-term (over two years) appropriations for the Air Force (while it's possible that even the largest projects are produced without longer-term contracts, I wouldn't expect that to be the case).

Of course, the remedy for such shortcomings can be found in the amendment process.

199 posted on 11/05/2005 2:49:45 PM PST by supercat (Don't fix blame--FIX THE PROBLEM.)
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To: supercat
"As a practical matter, I would think it useful for Congress to have authority over airspace and airwaves even for intra-state flights and transmissions, but I see nothing in the Constitution that gives it such authority."

Specifically? You're right. It's not there.

(Hoo boy.)

206 posted on 11/05/2005 3:02:41 PM PST by robertpaulsen
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