[muawiyah]

The Founders themselves didn't think education of the young was out of bounds for federal concern. In fact, Congress is authorized to "raise armies", and I daresay that one of the things you want in an army are a whole lot of guys who can read, write, cipher, think, do stuff, and all of that.

And "raise"? What does that word really mean? Bet you thought it meant to just go out and recruit - and that would be your thought!

Somebody else could view it carrying with it the same sort of meaning that we would have in the phrases "raise a garden", "raise a child", and so forth. With our Constitution recognizing that ALL of us are going to end up in the militia, it seems pretty clear that the very same Constitution empowered Congress to "raise" us up for that eventuality.

Now you go along and read the Constitution your way, and I'll read it my way, and my army will kick your army's butt!

[Maceman]

The Founders themselves didn't think education of the young was out of bounds for federal concern. In fact, Congress is authorized to "raise armies", and I daresay that one of the things you want in an army are a whole lot of guys who can read, write, cipher, think, do stuff, and all of that.

That is a ridiculous stretch. By your reading of the word "raise" there would be no limit to what the government can do. We need straong, well-fed young people to raise an army too. Does that mean that the government should own all the farms?

I normally don't like to hurl epithets when reasoned discussion is called for. But I'll make an exception here. Your analysis is just plain nuts.