Below is my letter that was published today in the WSJ. The letter was prompted by a previous letter to the editor of the Journal that took the position that the Supreme Court is the only branch of government responsible for deciding if legislation is constitutional or not. This of course goes right along with the power grab mentality of the courts that members of the other two branches let happen in direct violation of their oath to uphold the Constitution.
Dear Editor,
Timothy Dreisbach is only partly correct when he writes (Letters July 6) that "...it is the responsibility of the Supreme Court to decide if they (laws) are constitutional." Every member of Congress & the president & vice president take an oath to uphold the Constitution. Until the Civil War, virtually every president regularly vetoed legislation because he thought some bills were unconstitutional - mostly for violating the Spending Clause of Article I, Section 8. We'd have a better republic if our modern presidents followed this practice.
Congratulations, Doug, this is superb. Everyone recites that oath, but few pause to reflect on what it actually means. And it means exactly what you say.
ReplyDeleteIn Vermont, when you register to vote for the first time, you must swear the Freeman's Oath (Article 42 of the Vermont State Constitution):
You solemnly swear (or affirm) that whenever you give your vote or suffrage, touching any matter that concerns the State of Vermont, you will do it so as in your conscience you shall judge will most conduce to the best good of the same, as established by the Constitution, without fear or favor of any person.
I found swearing this to a nice, middle-aged lady in the DMV, genuinely moving. I really do remember it when I vote. And while I probably wouldn't vote any differently, it bolsters the spirit to remember you pledged to put the good of Vermont above personal interests.
This is so true!
ReplyDeleteDoug - WELL DONE and WELL SAID! See, Ol' Ben wasn't always right. God bless you.
ReplyDelete