Constitution 101

The Washington Times ^ | September 18 | Joe Crankshaw

[RDTF]

Q: Name the oldest, federal, democratic republic in the world. A: The United States of America, which turns 218 this year if you count from the adoption of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, or 221 if you count from the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation. Q: What makes it different from other governments? A: While all power is vested in the people, it is exercised through a delicate system of checks and balances that seeks to ensure no individual, party or agency of government exercises total control. In addition, certain rights are guaranteed to the people, not the government, which ensure the supremacy of the electorate. Q: How is the federal government organized? A: It is divided into three branches, executive, legislative and judicial, none of which has total control. The executive branch, headed by the president, conducts the business of the republic, but cannot appropriate funds nor make laws, powers delegated to the legislative branch. The legislative branch makes rules for its own operations, but its laws are subject to testing within the judicial branch topped by the Supreme Court. Q: How do the states and the federal government relate? A: The Constitution specifically divides duties and powers between the state and federal governments, providing any power not specifically assigned to the federal or state government is reserved to the people. No other form of government bases its power in the people alone.

[RDTF]

Good quick refresher lesson - Just in case the looney left is reading

[EagleUSA]

Good article and lesson -- it would be nice to see it taught in our liberal government schools for a change, rather than teaching kids how to be nice to queers...

[CondorFlight]

To add,

the Constitution rests on the basis that men are created by God (the "Creator") with certain rights; therefore, the natural rights of man are a divine gift, and governments have not the right to try and abrogate them.

That is the basis of the Declaration of Independence.

When the ACLU finds out about this, you can bet that the Declaration will be cancelled, and the celebration of July 4 made illegal in public schools. . .

[trawler]

bump

[RDTF]

Here is the rest of it:

Q: How are members of the executive and legislative branches selected?
A: At regularly established elections. The president and vice president are elected every four years, while senators are elected every six years and members of the House of Representatives every two years. The mixture of terms is intended to ensure elected officials are responsive to the people and that there is a continuity that should mitigate against extreme or radical changes in the people's mood.
Q: Why are Supreme Court justices not elected?
A: Supreme Court justices are appointed for life by the president upon the advise and consent of the Senate to ensure they will not be subject to the fluctuating passions of the times and will be able to make rulings based upon the law.
Q: Has this constitutional, federal republic worked?
A: Yes, although the nation had to resort to force of arms during the Civil War to establish the right of the federal government to ensure the "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" of all people in the nation.
Q: Are there any other nations like the United States of America?
A: No, although many countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and Germany have a parliamentary form similar to ours, but without the strong position of the people. There were no true federal republics before the United States was formed.
Q: Why is that?
A: Because the group of free-thinking, practical philosophers, who met in Philadelphia to draw up our government were unlike any other before or since. They were willing to compromise to achieve the greatest good possible, a trait that seems to be diminishing in our time.
Q: Why were they able to achieve our form of government?
A: Because they agreed the majority should rule with the consent of the minority, and the individual citizen should be free to think and do as he or she liked, so long as no other citizen's rights and privileges were abridged.

[trawler]

Constitution for the United States of America [218th Anniverary repost]
Address:http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1486342/posts

[RDTF]

My apologies-
here is a link to this article that doesn't require registering:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20050917-104940-6533r.htm

[mtbopfuyn]

Thanks. Printed it out.

[Mark was here]

All this talk about the Constitution is giving me a head ache.

The Constitution is a dead letter.

We have gone from being Parents of the Government to Children of the government.

Notice how the hurricane refugees expect the government to move them about and take of them like they are kiddies in preschool. All the while claiming it is their "civil rights" (what ever the heck they are)to be treated like cattle and trucked all over the country side.

It is just too bad people have forgotten that we are supposed to have a limited government, and it is the responsibility of citizens to keep the government in check. That is if they want to preserve the notion of natural rights.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>Good quick refresher lesson - Just in case the looney left is reading

Understanding the Constitution is not limited to liberals. There are plenty of Republicans and "so-called" conservatives right on this website who need a full blown course in understanding the Constitution.

[Frank_2001]

Well stated!

[trawler]

True words bump.

[MosesKnows]

Q: Why were they able to achieve our form of government?

A: Because they agreed the majority should rule with the consent of the minority, and the individual citizen should be free to think and do as he or she liked, so long as no other citizen's rights and privileges were abridged.

Harm no one; do as you will.

The loss of this basic concept cannot be blamed entirely on the looney left.

[stylin19a]

A: The United States of America, which turns 218 this year if you count from the adoption of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, or 221 if you count from the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation.

or 216 if you count March 4 1789

[Sun]

Liberals say that our founding fathers were prejudiced which is proved in the original Constitution. Often these libs get talking points from anti-American groups, & I would like to counter their statements.

Anyway, here are the said snippets from the original Constitution considered to be prejudice by libs:

Article I Section 2
"[3] Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons."
Llater on in article I section 9

"Section IX
[1] The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person."