Daily RAW - April 28, 2009

Quote - "Do a little more each day than you think you can" Lowell Thomas

Brain Food - Article 10 of the Bill of Rights "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

What are those powers? See section 8 of Article 1

Section 8 - Powers of Congress

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;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of 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;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Here is where we fall into trouble. This is where the Federal Government "interprets" the Constitution they way they see fit. For example: what defines "General Welfare". Common Sense would tell us that means general upkeep of the country - infrastructure, economy, etc. However, many have understood that to mean provide for the unproductive. Too many children? We'll help you. Can't find a job? We got you covered. No health insurance? Here you go. How do we pay for all that? More foreign borrowing and more taxes.

What needs to happen is every state sponsor and pay for their own programs. Yes, that means some spending will have to be cut. You can't have it all! You want programs and jobs? Pave the way for producers to build companies so that they can provide more jobs and put more people into work. Then, if you don't want to work, you don't get the benefits either.

ACTION ITEM -

Find 5 people in your area that are willing to meet once a week. You can meet at a coffee shop, a home or a restaurant, whatever works best. Email us at Scott@rawamerica.org with the time and place you wish to meet. We'll send you a step by step breakdown to lead your meeting. If you are in the metro Atlanta area, let us know and we'd be happy to come out too!

Why?

To foster support, debate and action. It's easier if you don't go it alone. This can be fun. It is so important for all of us to understand what is going on in the world around us. To take action, you need to be educated on what is happening around you. These small groups (which can grow pretty big) are intended for you to work as a team, share ideas and take small action together.

Talk is good, Action is better!