Monday, September 20, 2010

Recess Appointments

When the Founders put in the Constitution for the President to be able to appoint a person to Office in Congress is in recess, did they intend or was it understood to mean that all that has to happen is for the President to wait for a recess to appoint Officers without the required consent of the Senate? Or was it understood to be a mechanism for the President to fill a position that required immediate action that could not wait for the Senate to convene and consider, similar to the Clause in Article I section 10, that allows the Executive of a state to request Federal assistance in an emergency if the Legislature for that state is not in session to request it themselves?

Sunday, September 19, 2010

The only person standing... is the man in a wheelchair

The purpose of this site is to discuss Originalism and the Founding Principles, and this post has nothing to do with either, but I did feel it necessary to share this with you.

Remember seeing this a few years back
(Photo: Raymond Malkiewicz/
Everafterimages.com)
 I remember seeing this photo some years back, perhaps you did too and I think it is quiet telling on respect of the Flag or National Ensign. Of all the people who had reason to not stand as the Flag passed, it is most assuredly the man in the wheelchair, yet he is the only one whom is. Now nobody is bound to stand, and nor should anybody ever be bound to rise for the flag [less those who are under oath to protect it like Military, Police, Politicians etc..], but it is nonetheless a show of respect for what it stands for, which is more than ever can be put into simple words.
 
Today I had my, "The only person standing... is the man in a wheelchair". Today I went to a parade of Firetrucks, and it was magnificent. There were firetrucks from across the State, as well as neighboring states. It had Color Guards, Honor Details, Fife and Drum Bands and Corps, and more firetrucks of the past and present than I have ever seen in my life before. In all it was a 2 hour plus procession of fine brave men and women who voluntarily run into burning and damaged buildings for our sake, honoring their past, and of course showcasing their toys, and included a family member in the parade, since I have two firefighters in my family.

Can Socialism exist within the Constitution?

Can Socialism exist with the original meaning and intent of the Constitution? Michael Moore is one of his recent movies [Capitalism: A Love Story], states "Capitalism is not in the Constitution". However, if the Original meaning of the Constitution is followed, can anything but a Free and Open Market exist?

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Bill of Rights or Bill of Limitations?

The Bill of Rights
It seems so granted today, having a bill of rights. But it was not a certain thing to happen after the Constitution was finished in 1787. Some of the prominent delegates actually argued against it, such as  Alexander Hamilton in the Federalists Papers (Federalist 84 & 85).
Why would they argue against a Bill of Rights? Did they not want to ensure all Americans had these so elemental and as Thomas Jefferson stated inalienable Rights? Did they fear the People? Well, simply No. They did want the people to have these rights, they did not fear them, but respected them and their wisdom. But why did they did feel a Bill of Rights was not needed? Part of the answer can be found in the second paragraph of Preamble of the Bill of Rights itself.
 

Friday, September 17, 2010

233 Years ago, the Constitution Convention Adjourned

Page 1 of the Constitution
On September 17, 1787 the Convention of 1787 broke, finishing its work on our United States Constitution. Originally the Convention was called to "revise and amend" the Articles of Confederation, it instead ended up creating a new style of Government. The Delegates drew upon their own experiences, the writings of Philosophers, Ancient Lessons of Democracy and Republics, their State's Constitutions, and their own desire to bring us the Democratic Federalistic Republic we have today.