World would be better if we followed Constitution
I would like to respond to William F. Johnston’s tirade on conservatism in his letter on April 22.
After defining conservatism and what he states as “The insane have the individual ‘right’ to have guns to murder school children,” he then assumes the role of a constitutional scholar. In his quote of Article VI, he leaves out “This Constitution and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof … .” The meaning of which is clear — only the laws authorized by the Constitution are “the supreme law of the land.” The last amendment in the Bill of Rights — Amendment X (1791) — also makes this very clear. “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.”
This may be boring to some but sometimes a refresher is necessary. The “enumerated powers” so delegated are a list of items found in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution and in several amendments.
While I am providing a review, let’s look at one more article. Article II of the Constitution creates the Executive branch and defines its duties. Section 3 lists the presidential responsibilities and clause 5 states that the president must “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” Again the meaning is clear: The president must enforce the laws of Congress even if he disagrees with them. What a wonderful country we would have if we would learn and follow the Constitution we have all sworn to uphold.
Bob Green
Waikoloa