The next time a GOP 'No New Taxes' obstructionist, says we need to "get back to following the Constitution" -- please remind them what the Constitution actually says, in the very FIRST Article ...
The Constitution of the United States -- Article I, Section 8
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
[emphasis added]
Congress is suppose to Raise Taxes --
To provide for the general Welfare.
It's in the Constitution!
Of course, Congress is suppose to represent We the People too.
It is from US, that their power is suppose to derive.
It's funny what you might find -- when you actually READ the Constitution ...
The Constitution of the United States -- Article I, Section 8
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
[...]
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
[emphasis added]
Congress is suppose to legislate control over Bankers --
and to Naturalize foreigners as citizens too.
It's in the Constitution!
Looks like the Congress CAN supply National Services, and Build Roads too --
Hmmm? I wonder if the includes "strengthening our National Infrastructure" projects too?
Roads, Power, Schools, Water, Parks, they all effect the "general Welfare" too, right?
(It's hard to "pursue Science and the Arts" -- without a good system of Schools and Roads.)
It's funny what you might find -- when you actually READ the first Paragraph of the Constitution ...
The Constitution of the United States -- the Preamble.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
[emphasis added]
SO the next time, some GOP Tea Party advocate rattles off some vague Talking Point about
"wanting to get 'back to' following The Constitution again."
-- Ask Them -- Does that include your strong support for Article 1, Section 8 ?
The which of these Items specifically, will you NOT Support?
-- Raising Taxes,
-- Promoting the General Welfare
-- Regulating Foreign Trade,
-- Regulating Bankruptcies,
-- Naturalizing Citizens,
-- Supporting the Post Office,
-- The Building of Roads,
-- The Promoting Science and the Arts,
-- The Encouraging of Inventors and New Discoveries ... ?
The Founding Fathers had specific Goals in mind, when that set about thier "insuring of domestic Tranquility and promoting the general Welfare," for future generations, like US.
Those too, are "in the Constitution."
So the next time a GOP 'No New Taxes' obstructionist, says we need to "get back to following the Constitution" -- please remind them what the Constitution actually says, in the very FIRST Article ...
Please remind them, that Grover Norquist, and Newt Gingrich, and Eric Cantor -- did NOT sign the Constitution. Heck, it's probably been ages since they even read it!
In reality, what the Grover Norquist-Eric Cantor coalition are trying to do is -- they ARE Trying to Re-Write the Constitution, starting by editing out that inconvenient "welfare and tranquility stuff" in Article I and the Preamble ...
you know, just as the Founding Fathers intended it.
Instead, of railing against Government, these GOP obstructions should actually try READING it -- that document that establishes the many missions which that Government is suppose to perform.
And THEN they should get busy at actually carrying them out. Or else step aside, for those of us who are ready, and up to the task ... you know, the real Patriots.