Federalist 3 is a continuation of the theme John Jay started in Federalist 2. In today’s read, Jay continues to speak to a United States and their combined power, vs separate sovereign nations.
This time we are talking about national security. Jay points out that there are strength in numbers, and a strong United States would, in itself, would deter many actions and invasions. Remember, at the time America was surrounded by foreign territories.
Jay also points to the fact that a United States, with one set of treaties, would be able to conduct coherent foreign policy more effectively than an "every man for themselves" approach Strength through power was the correct recipe for success, according to Jay. This, of course, applies today as well.
The Same Subject Continued: Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence
For the Independent Journal.
Author: John Jay
To the People of the State of New York:
IT IS not a new observation that the people of any country (if, like the Americans, intelligent and wellinformed) seldom adopt and steadily persevere for many years in an erroneous opinion respecting their interests. That consideration naturally tends to create great respect for the high opinion which the people of America have so long and uniformly entertained of the importance of their continuing firmly united under one federal government, vested with sufficient powers for all general and national purposes.
The more attentively I consider and investigate the reasons which appear to have given birth to this opinion, the more I become convinced that they are cogent and conclusive.
Among the many objects to which a wise and free people find it necessary to direct their attention, that of providing for their SAFETY seems to be the first. The SAFETY of the people doubtless has relation to a great variety of circumstances and considerations, and consequently affords great latitude to those who wish to define it precisely and comprehensively.
At present I mean only to consider it as it respects security for the preservation of peace and tranquillity, as well as against dangers from FOREIGN ARMS AND INFLUENCE, as from dangers of the LIKE KIND arising from domestic causes. As the former of these comes first in order, it is proper it should be the first discussed. Let us therefore proceed to examine whether the people are not right in their opinion that a cordial Union, under an efficient national government, affords them the best security that can be devised against HOSTILITIES from abroad.
The number of wars which have happened or will happen in the world will always be found to be in proportion to the number and weight of the causes, whether REAL or PRETENDED, which PROVOKE or INVITE them. If this remark be just, it becomes useful to inquire whether so many JUST causes of war are likely to be given by UNITED AMERICA as by DISUNITED America; for if it should turn out that United America will probably give the fewest, then it will follow that in this respect the Union tends most to preserve the people in a state of peace with other nations.
The JUST causes of war, for the most part, arise either from violation of treaties or from direct violence. America has already formed treaties with no less than six foreign nations, and all of them, except Prussia, are maritime, and therefore able to annoy and injure us. She has also extensive commerce with Portugal, Spain, and Britain, and, with respect to the two latter, has, in addition, the circumstance of neighborhood to attend to.
It is of high importance to the peace of America that she observe the laws of nations towards all these powers, and to me it appears evident that this will be more perfectly and punctually done by one national government than it could be either by thirteen separate States or by three or four distinct confederacies.
Because when once an efficient national government is established, the best men in the country will not only consent to serve, but also will generally be appointed to manage it; for, although town or country, or other contracted influence, may place men in State assemblies, or senates, or courts of justice, or executive departments, yet more general and extensive reputation for talents and other qualifications will be necessary to recommend men to offices under the national government,--especially as it will have the widest field for choice, and never experience that want of proper persons which is not uncommon in some of the States. Hence, it will result that the administration, the political counsels, and the judicial decisions of the national government will be more wise, systematical, and judicious than those of individual States, and consequently more satisfactory with respect to other nations, as well as more SAFE with respect to us.
Because, under the national government, treaties and articles of treaties, as well as the laws of nations, will always be expounded in one sense and executed in the same manner,--whereas, adjudications on the same points and questions, in thirteen States, or in three or four confederacies, will not always accord or be consistent; and that, as well from the variety of independent courts and judges appointed by different and independent governments, as from the different local laws and interests which may affect and influence them. The wisdom of the convention, in committing such questions to the jurisdiction and judgment of courts appointed by and responsible only to one national government, cannot be too much commended.
Because the prospect of present loss or advantage may often tempt the governing party in one or two States to swerve from good faith and justice; but those temptations, not reaching the other States, and consequently having little or no influence on the national government, the temptation will be fruitless, and good faith and justice be preserved. The case of the treaty of peace with Britain adds great weight to this reasoning.
Because, even if the governing party in a State should be disposed to resist such temptations, yet as such temptations may, and commonly do, result from circumstances peculiar to the State, and may affect a great number of the inhabitants, the governing party may not always be able, if willing, to prevent the injustice meditated, or to punish the aggressors. But the national government, not being affected by those local circumstances, will neither be induced to commit the wrong themselves, nor want power or inclination to prevent or punish its commission by others.
So far, therefore, as either designed or accidental violations of treaties and the laws of nations afford JUST causes of war, they are less to be apprehended under one general government than under several lesser ones, and in that respect the former most favors the SAFETY of the people.
As to those just causes of war which proceed from direct and unlawful violence, it appears equally clear to me that one good national government affords vastly more security against dangers of that sort than can be derived from any other quarter.
Because such violences are more frequently caused by the passions and interests of a part than of the whole; of one or two States than of the Union. Not a single Indian war has yet been occasioned by aggressions of the present federal government, feeble as it is; but there are several instances of Indian hostilities having been provoked by the improper conduct of individual States, who, either unable or unwilling to restrain or punish offenses, have given occasion to the slaughter of many innocent inhabitants.
The neighborhood of Spanish and British territories, bordering on some States and not on others, naturally confines the causes of quarrel more immediately to the borderers. The bordering States, if any, will be those who, under the impulse of sudden irritation, and a quick sense of apparent interest or injury, will be most likely, by direct violence, to excite war with these nations; and nothing can so effectually obviate that danger as a national government, whose wisdom and prudence will not be diminished by the passions which actuate the parties immediately interested.
But not only fewer just causes of war will be given by the national government, but it will also be more in their power to accommodate and settle them amicably. They will be more temperate and cool, and in that respect, as well as in others, will be more in capacity to act advisedly than the offending State. The pride of states, as well as of men, naturally disposes them to justify all their actions, and opposes their acknowledging, correcting, or repairing their errors and offenses. The national government, in such cases, will not be affected by this pride, but will proceed with moderation and candor to consider and decide on the means most proper to extricate them from the difficulties which threaten them.
Besides, it is well known that acknowledgments, explanations, and compensations are often accepted as satisfactory from a strong united nation, which would be rejected as unsatisfactory if offered by a State or confederacy of little consideration or power.
In the year 1685, the state of Genoa having offended Louis XIV., endeavored to appease him. He demanded that they should send their Doge, or chief magistrate, accompanied by four of their senators, to FRANCE, to ask his pardon and receive his terms. They were obliged to submit to it for the sake of peace. Would he on any occasion either have demanded or have received the like humiliation from Spain, or Britain, or any other POWERFUL nation?
PUBLIUS.
Please take time to visit Constituting America and join in on the conversation, as well as read further essays on the Constitution and The Federalist.
Welcome to day four of our ninety-one day adventure. Today we look at look at the Judicial Branch of government. The text is as it was originally written:
Article III.
Section. 1.
The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section. 2.
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;-- between a State and Citizens of another State,--between Citizens of different States,--between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section. 3.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
In 1795 the 11th Amendment was ratified, it deals with Section 2, Paragraph 1. It seeks to clarify the scope of the federal courts. This is as good a time as any to remind readers the Constitution is a covenant between We The People and government. The Constitution is not about giving us rights or power, those come from our Creator, or as our founders would say: Nature’s God.
The Constitution, much to the chagrin of Barack Obama, was written to restrain government, not We The People.
AMENDMENT XI
Passed by Congress March 4, 1794. Ratified February 7, 1795.
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
Article III is pretty straightforward. It basically allows Congress to set up a Supreme Court that would be the final arbiter in any case where the constitutionality of any action, or any law comes into question.
Article III also provides for the establishment of a federal court system for handling cases federal in nature. It also establishes the right to a jury trial, and defines what treason is (Hint: Disagreeing with the Obama regime is NOT treason...or sedition...no matter what Joe Klein may think)
It’s interesting to note that no real requirements for what it takes to be chosen as a judge on either the Supreme Court, or other federal courts are mentioned. It supposes Congress, and the President, will be of good judgment when choosing people to fill the benches. The only real requirement is once chosen, jurists must remain of "good behaviour." In other words be of good character, and break no laws.
As a reader pointed out, even though our three branches of government are considered equal, part of the checks and balances our founders set up to keep government restrained, often the Judicial Branch seems "more equal" than the other two.
The job of a Supreme Court justice, or a justice of any court is to interpret the law. Think of a judge as a referee. Doesn’t matter if it’s criminal or civil court, the judge’s responsibility is to look at the facts, bounce that off the law, and judge the case based on their merits. This is further enhanced by the fact a defendant has the right to be judged by a jury of their peers.This serves as a check and balance to the courts themselves.
The problem of course, comes when activist judges are appointed to the bench. These judges get in there and rather than play their roles as referees in the game, decide to make up new rules, or create a completely new game altogether. Nothing good ever comes from this.
Progressives,... Marxists,... are particularly keen on using the courts to make law that would otherwise never see the light of day. America soundly rejects most of the Marxist ideology and the progressive movement, when given the facts. Knowing this, progressives run to the courts.
The list is long, but things like abortion, the removal of pray in schools, and the assault on religion as a whole, as well as gay marriage, and a whole host of other "found rights" came about because the people wouldn’t stand for it, or vote for it, if given the chance. Stand before the right court though, with the right judge, and all sorts of calamity follows.
One such case is gay marriage in California. Even though the people, by vote, banned gay marriage, the California Supreme Court overturned the will of the people, and declared the vote "unconstitutional," thus creating the "right" to gay marriage. This of course brought about a second vote, this time to amend their constitution. There are still some preparing to use the court to overrule the will of the people.
I use gay marriage as an example, but this sort of activism effects our lives on a daily basis, on a variety of issues. Take energy issues. Just try and develop any natural resources and see what happens. Activists with go "judge shopping" until the find a friend who will help them use the court as a weapon to stop it, often finding new "rights."
Activist judges, far left extremists, do great damage to our nation, and way of life. This is why, as Conservatives, we must demand that our elected officials only chose jurists of good character who will only serve as referees and not rule makers. Creating rules, the law, is the job of the Legislative Branch.
We are about to witness Barack Obama’s second appointment to the Supreme Court. This is already troubling because he has stated that he is looking for "diversity" on the Court. This is very dangerous. The qualities the President, and the nation should be looking for are an understanding of the Constitution, and the ability to refrain from deviating from it.
Make sure you visit Constituting America’s website here, and join in on the discussion, as well as read the excellent essays by leading Constitutional scholars.
Tomorrow we read the remaining articles to the Constitution.
Welcome to day three of our journey! Lesson two dealt with the Legislative Branch of government outlining the duties and requirements of Congress, and restrictions placed on it. As you know, our founders created three equal branches of government: The Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch.
Today’s reading involves the Executive Branch, the presidency. The text below represents the original spellings, and punctuation.
Article. II.
Section. 1.
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section. 2.
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
Section. 3.
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
Section. 4.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Although we’ll be reading the various amendments as we go, I think it’s important to point out that Section 1, Paragraph 3 is superseded by the 12th Amendment. This has to do with the election of the President and Vice President:
AMENDMENT XII
Passed by Congress December 9, 1803. Ratified June 15, 1804.
The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -- the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -- The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. [And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. --]* The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
*Superseded by section 3 of the 20th amendment.
The 20th Amendment further refines the presidency and vice presidency as it pertains to terms and eligibility. The part referenced above, highlighted with the asterisk, is superceded by the text below:
If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.
While duties and responsibilities are outlined, most of Article II deals with qualifications and the election of the Executive. The founders left the Executive quite a bit of room to govern.
As you probably know, there has been some concern whether Barack Obama meets the qualifications to actually serve as President. This is centered on Section 1, Paragraph 5:
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
The controversy settles around two issues. The first is transparency, Though Obama campaigned on it, we know that was a joke, and his regime operates almost completely in the dark. Most activities that Americans are accustomed to seeing disclosed are hidden from the American people by the regime.
The other issue is Obama’s personal history. Of course, the media has worked over time not covering issues such as his radical associations and shady business dealings. It’s quite remarkable, in fact, to note the lengths the regime’s media partners will go to not report on things, and cover up others.
It’s Obama’s life before the presidency that is a real blank. Unlike every other President, all of Obama’s records, from his birth certificate, to college transcripts, selective service documents, law records, medical records, even his Illinois Senate records have been judged completely and totally off limits. To use a word Obama seems to love, it’s unprecedented in American history. No other high profile official, let alone President has gotten away with this sort of thing, until now.
It’s the "natural born citizen" requirement that is causing some to have issues. We have now gotten into the Clinton era definition of what "is" is.
When Barack Obama and John McCain first became candidates, long time democrat operative, Phil Berg, filed a lawsuit against each man. Berg contends that neither Obama nor McCain are "natural born citizens." and thus neither man is eligible to be President.
The story with McCain is simple. Senator McCain comes from a long line of Navy men. His father, a Commander at the time, was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. To complicate matters, Senator McCain was not born on the naval base, he was born in a civilian hospital on Panamanian soil.
Of course, as both parents were American citizens, Senator McCain was indeed an American citizen, and since both of John’s parents were "natural born" themselves, this was not a real issue. In fact, McCain produced a file copy of his original birth certificate, and the Senate even passed a non-binding resolution declaring McCain a "nature born citizen." Not that it actually carries any legal weight. But it was done, at any rate.
The problems with Obama are many, and frankly we think he has purposely keeps the controversy going, as a way to discredit adversaries. Pretty easy to label someone a "birther" a loon, and dismiss everything they have said.
Now rumors have Obama being born in Kenya. This sort of thing isn’t helped because some Kenyan officials, probably hoping it will help tourism or something, have also claimed Obama was born there. So has some of his family. Hard to prove.
This is further complicated by the insane Hawaiian laws regarding "certificates of live birth." Under Hawaiian law at the time, you could have been born on Mars and your parents could have been given a "certificate of live birth," which is different than a birth certificate.
Making this even more complicated is the fact Obama’s half sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, who we know, for sure, was born in Indonesia to Obama’s mother and step father, also has the very same Hawaiian "certificate of live birth" as Barack.
BTW, Obama has spent a little more than a million dollars through his attorneys Perkins Coie, fighting the dozens of cases challenging his eligibility in court. It costs roughly $15 to get a certified vault copy of a Hawaiian birth certificate.
Again, in our opinion Obama enjoys this controversy, because it immediately neutralizes a large portion of Americans who oppose his regime.
We feel he was most likely born in Hawaii, as advertised, but honestly, who knows!
This is not the only problem with Obama’s eligibility though, and this is where we get into what the meaning of "is" is.
Our founders meant for our President to be "natural born." Just being a citizen, even a person born on American soil, was not good enough. They rightly understood the American President must have allegiance to America and to America only. We couldn’t have a "citizen of the world" as our leader, for obvious reasons. One can be true only to the United States. Our nation demands 100 percent loyalty from it’s President.
We see the many complications brought about by a "post-American" presidency unfolding before our eyes! Barack Obama holds no allegiance to America, or her people. He is a strict ideologue. Only his ideology matters to him.
Unfortunately, the Supreme court has refused to hear cases challenging Obama’s eligibility, even though dozens are out there and several have made it to the Court.
Now again, we do believe Obama was born in Hawaii and only uses this issue to his advantage. We feel the Obama regime keeps this issue alive as a way of defusing other issues and de-legitimizing those who would raise them. It’s a win-win for him, and no one is ever going to call him on it. No one.
However, the place of his birth is not nearly a contentious of an issue as is the birthplace of his father, Barack Obama Sr. You see, Obama Sr. Was born in Kenya and as Kenya was a British colony at the time Obama Jr was born. In many scholars opinion, Obama Jr. actually holds a duel U.S,/British citizenship, by virtue of his father’s British citizenship. This would render Obama ineligible.
We find this an interesting concept and really think the court did America a grave disservice by refusing to hear these cases, based on this theory, and once and for all defining who, exactly, is a "natural born citizen." It would be nice to know, in the future, just who is and who isn’t eligible. .
We seriously doubt this will ever be resolved one way or the other.
Of course, Barack Obama and John McCain aren’t the only two who have ever faced these questions. When Barry Goldwater ran for President he faced the same questions. You see, when Goldwater was born, Arizona had not yet achieved statehood! So as you see, the opportunity for Congress, or the Court, to further define who is and who isn’t a "natural born citizen" has been with us for some time, but Congress, and the Court, have passed on this opportunity.
We find the whole thing interesting and complicated by the fact that Barack Obama has no particular allegiance to the United States or the American way of life. In fact, it’s his desire to destroy the American way of life, as we know it, that has prompted all of us to rise up in protest, and go on the journey of relearning our First Principles, and our founding documents.
Although we mention it here, because it is interesting, and most definitely an unsettled question, we urge readers to focus on more pressing issues and not get too bogged down with the "natural born citizen" question. Legal scholars have tried to get a ruling on this, and have been denied at the highest level.
Better to put in a solid effort toward defeating the Obama regime and the progressive-Marxist ideology at the ballot box. Defeat the Marxist-democrat Congress, thus neutralizing the Obama regime, and then defeat Obama in 2012.
Defeat every progressive, for every office, at every level, and the issues with Obama and his regime will take care of themselves!
OK, back to the Constitution and Constituting America, as always, feel free to discuss this amongst our readers and visit Janine’s website, and join in on the discussion, here.
Tomorrow we’ll read Article III which deals with the Judicial Branch of government.
A roaring Tea Party crowd cheered on Sarah Palin on the Boston Common today as she slammed President Obama promising it’s "nothing a good old fashioned election can’t fix."
Palin, wearing a lipstick-red leather jacket, urged "less government" and "cut spending" and do more than "stall the spending spree we’ve been on."
The common-sense hockey mom praised Bostonians for electing upstart GOP star U.S. Sen. Scott Brown as she stood in the shadow of the Democrat-controlled State House.
"Bostonians have never been afraid to stand up for their freedoms," Palin said. "Shoot, look at what Massachusetts did in January. You shook up the U.S. Senate."
She called for taxes to be cut so families can "keep more" of what they earn. She tossed in a call for "drill, baby drill" and to stop America from "bowing to Saudis."
It was a speech aimed directly at the Democrats and it was the fuel that pumped up the Tea Party Express crowd.
The turnout – clearly well in the thousands – went beyond expectations, Tea Party organizers said. The crowd filled the Common to hear Palin who took the stage before 11 this morning.
Palin took to the stage to pound away at "Obamacare" and the borrowing that will tax future generations, she said.
"The first test will be at the ballot box in November," she said, calling on Tea Partiers to get out the vote.
Almost everyone said they came today to catch a glimpse of the conservative shooting star, but she’s not the only draw.
Gold Star Mother Debbie Lee told the story of her son, Mark, who was killed in Iraq. She broke down in tears to remember a boy she lost to war who stood in the line of fire to save his squad.
"He did that for each and every one of you today," she said of her son’s death. "We’ve got political insurgents in Washington, D.C. And will you have the same response my son did?‘Roger that. Let’s go get ‘em."’
The rally, which kicked off before 10 a.m. and will last until about 1 p.m., has made the corner of Charles and Beacon the epicenter of the Tea Party movement today.
"This may be our only opportunity to see her live on the East coast," said Dennis McHale, a police sergeant who worked a night shift on Long Island and then hit the road to the Hub.
John Philip Souza IV was the first speaker to take to the podium, where he railed against big government. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the restoration of smaller government," he ended his speech with.
It’s still Palin who is the big draw.
"She’s a political up-and-comer and I’m excited to see her," said Franklin High senior Taylor Trenchard.
"It’s a great experience. I want to see Sarah Palin speak," said Nick Melfi, 18, also from Franklin High. He came along with others in his AP government class to witness democracy in action.
Historian and Plymouth preacher Paul Jehle said the Tea Party picked the perfect location to hold an anti-tax, anti-big government rally.
"There’s a hunger here to return to liberty and constitutional law – and that’s a good thing," said Jehle, who is dressed as a Minuteman as he works the crowd.
"In 1773, Boston voted against paying a 3 cent tea tax. It was lawful resistance to an unjust tax," Jehle said, adding he hopes the Tea Party movement can cling to those ideals.
As usual, Sarah was en fuego! She is on a mission to fire America up ahead of the upcoming November elections. I’d say she is doing a great job.
Hard to single out a favorite point in the speech because the entire message is rousing and inspiring. One point she made stands out though and that’s when Sarah reminded everyone that in the Land of Opportunity, Barack Obama’s regime is stealing our children’s opportunity. He’s stealing their children’s opportunity as well!
I also enjoyed it when she said the with Obama it’s: "All Alinsky all the time!"
The real thing that is so inspiring though is the fact that in every corner of our great nation ordinary, every day Americans are coming together and standing up for Liberty and Freedom and pushing back against the Marxist Obama regime.
For the first time, in a long time, Americans are realizing they can, and will make a difference. All they have to do is stand up and be heard.
This is a truly exciting time to be alive and an American!
