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To: Ken H

I don’t know what Constitutional authority the feds would have, to regulate commerce that happens strictly within a state’s own borders.

To be truthful, like I said before, I’m having trouble figuring out what Constitutional authority Congress has for most of the laws they make. What is the basis for federal criminal law, for instance?

I think I need to read the Constitution from front to back again. What are Congress’ enumerated powers?


100 posted on 05/04/2013 8:15:11 PM PDT by butterdezillion (,)
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To: butterdezillion
What is the basis for federal criminal law, for instance?

Oh, Gosh, I could write you a book on that.

Short answer: all over. According to the courts, the Necessary and Proper Clause justifies laws against bribing or killing federal agents or officials. The Tax Clause justifies criminal penalties for tax evasion. The power to establish the Post Office justifies laws against committing fraud by use of the mails. The 13th Amendment justifies laws against human trafficking. The Commerce Clause justifies the law against interstate shipment of obscene movies. And so on.

102 posted on 05/04/2013 8:34:45 PM PDT by Lurking Libertarian (Non sub homine, sed sub Deo et lege)
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