The Constitution of the United States of America is not a document that limits the rights of man but a document that limits the power of society over man.
This statement needs to to be taught to every single American citizen. I would change it slighty though. The Constitution does not say what you can do, it says what the government cannot do.
Yup. If govt schools had not stopped teaching civics fewer people would consider that document to be "just a G-d'ed piece of paper".
And I would change that.
The Constitution only grants the government specific and carefully enumerated powers as evidenced by Article 1, Section 1.
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Therefore, if the Constitution doesn’t specifically herein grant a Power the government doesn’t have that power.
The powers herein granted are enumerated by Clauses in Article 1, Section 8. Clause 18 completes Section 8 with To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
I encounter many people who believe that if the Constitution doesn’t specifically say the government can’t do something then government can. Actually, the Constitution clearly indicates the exact opposite; if the Constitution doesn't say government can; then government can't.
An added note; the Constitution is not about the people, the Constitution is solely about how this newly established government would function.