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To: driftdiver
A redefinition of the Commerce Clause (the original view was that Congress was granted a narrow and exclusive power to regulate shipments across state lines–not all the economic activity of the nation)

This is not the original intent of the Commerce clause. It was simply to allow Congress to direct ( or 'regulate') shipments from foreign countries to various ports in the States in order to spread the monies collected from taxes on incoming goods among the several States.

Mr. MADISON was surprised that any gentleman should return to the clauses which had already been discussed. He begged the gentleman to read the clauses which gave the power of exclusive legislation, and he might see that nothing could be done without the consent of the states. With respect to the supposed operation of what was denominated the sweeping clause, the gentleman, he said, was mistaken; for it only extended to the enumerated powers. Should Congress attempt to extend it to any power not enumerated, it would not be warranted by the clause. As to the restriction in the clause under consideration, it was a restraint on the exercise of a power expressly delegated to Congress; namely, that of regulating commerce with foreign nations.
Elliot's Debates , Volume 3, page 455 - U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 – 1875
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=lled&fileName=003/lled003.db&recNum=466&itemLink=?%230030467&linkText=1

The federal government having any authority inside the States proper and outside the strict wordage contained in the Constitution is a concept of 'modern' government, not the Intent of the Founders.

63 posted on 04/13/2014 6:19:35 PM PDT by MamaTexan (I am a Person as created by the Laws of Nature, not a person as created by the laws of Man)
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To: MamaTexan

That is one heck of a post. Thank You.


65 posted on 04/13/2014 6:21:59 PM PDT by eyedigress ((zOld storm chaser from the west)/ ?s)
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