The United States Constitution: A Four Part Series
Below, is a four part series on the United States Constitution, done by Gary Hunt from the Outpost of Freedom and Kyle Rearden from The Last Bastille blog.
United States Constitution: Drafting and Ratification, 1 of 4
British domination, much like the absolute despotism of the current American government, oppressed the colonists severely enough to warrant a genuine restoration of their common rights as Englishmen. As the hubris of the Parliament increased, the colonists realized that in order for their liberties to be secured again, they would have to secede from the Crown. Once they had defeated what was then the most awesome empire on the battlefield, with little more than a sparsely equipped continental army and disparate militia units, the more important struggle to follow was to decide the question of, “How should we then live?”
Referenced literature includes:
- Articles of Confederation & Perpetual Union of 1777
- Patriot Mythology – Philadelphia Conspiracy
- “We the People,” But Who Are We?
- Texas Constitution of 1876
- Ratification (book report)
United States Constitution: Delegated Powers, 2 of 4
Many patriots have claimed over the years that they are willing to fight and die for the Constitution, but what exactly are they willing to fight and die for? By examining the Preamble and Articles I – VII, we discover what the Constitution actually says, and what enumerated powers were delegated to the federal government. Are the first seven articles of the Constitution a “bill of rights” unto itself, as Alexander Hamilton claimed in Federalist Paper #84, or are they something wholly different?
Referenced literature includes:
- The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription
- Liberty or Laws? “Felon in Possession of Firearm” is Not Legal or Lawful
United States Constitution: Bill of Rights, 3 of 4
During the ratification period of the 1780s, the Framers of the United States Constitution sought to remedy the defects inherent within the Articles of Confederation that had already provided a republican form of limited government. Those opponents of ratification demanded that a bill of rights be included as a reasonable compromise to act as a counterweight to the noticeably increased powers of government as enumerated in the Constitution, which were missing from the Articles. Over two centuries have passed since then, and therefore the time has come to examine the Bill of Rights line by line in order to judge whether or not the federal government has respected individual liberty.
Referenced literature includes:
- Necessary & Proper Clause (Art. I § 8 cl. 18)
- Thomas Jefferson’s 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptist Association
- Suspension Clause (Art. I § 9 cl. 2)
- “regulate” (Webster’s 1828 dictionary)
- Second Opposed Motion to Dismiss Indictment (U.S. v. Kevin Massey)
- Olmstead v. United States, 277 US 438 (1928)
- Barron v. City of Baltimore 32 US 243 (1833)
- Unopposed Motion to Continue Trial for 60 Days (U.S. v. William Wolf)
- What If I’m Arrested?
- False Hopes: Oathkeepers, Constitutional Sheriffs, & Filming Cops
United States Constitution: The Great Experiment, 4 of 4
After learning about the various clauses within the 1787 federal Constitution, many people have come to the conclusion that perhaps this Constitution has nothing at all whatsoever to do with human liberty. Over two centuries has passed since its ratification, so a reevaluation into the efficacy of the Constitution for the purpose of securing liberty must be broached. Has “the Great Experiment” increased freedom in any practical way, or is it now time to explore other avenues that do not rely on the use of this paper cage?
Referenced literature includes:
- Patriot Mythology: Philadelphia Conspiracy
- Insurrection Clause (Art. I §8 cl.15)
- Ch. IX, Dissolution of Government (Second Treatise of Government)
- Taxing & Spending Clause (Art. I §8 cl.1)
- Camp Lone Star: The King Can Do No Wrong, Or Can He?
- Rule of Law, or, Rule of Man: An Analysis of the Kim Davis Fiasco
- 1891 Kentucky Constitution §223A
- Greenmail: Income Tax, Flat Tax, or No Tax?
- State Citizenship: Escaping the Administrative Agency Trap
- A Primer on Habeas Corpus
- No Treason #VI: The Constitution of No Authority
- United States Constitution: Delegated Powers (Above)
- United States Constitution: Bill of Rights (Above)
Trackbacks/Pingbacks