Correspondent of the Day: Congress Won’t Observe Constitutional Limits

Congress Won't Observe Constitutional Limits
Editor, Times-Dispatch On Thursday, Sept.17, the U.S. celebrated Constitution Day, marking the date in 1787 when members of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the document that was subsequently ratified by the states. Although not without flaws, the Constitution represents a great achievement concerning a federal system of republican government.

An essential feature of the Constitution is that powers given to the federal government are enumerated and strictly limited. That federal powers are enumerated and limited is reinforced by the 10th Amendment: "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."

However, today the federal government rarely if ever observes the constitutional limitations on its power. Indeed, we see unjustified federal intrusion in virtually every aspect of our lives. I am unaware of any member of Congress (aside from Rep. Ron Paul of Texas) who routinely insists that proposed legislation must be clearly justified by an explicit grant of power by the Constitution to the Congress.

Those who hold the libertarian vision of individual liberty and personal responsibility must inform federal officials that observing the constitutional limitations on their power is not just a good idea. It's the law.

Jim Lark.
Earlysville.