"To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;"
Again, the framers seemed to consider Congress the best money manager.
"To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;"
I italicize the word "regulate" here. I italicize it elsewhere as well because the "strict Constitutionalists" seem to scoff at the fact that Congress has the power and, frankly, the responsibility to regulate anything. The founders didn't appear to fear using the words "regulate" and "Congress" in the same sentence, albeit a very, very long sentence.
"To establish an (sic) 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;"
Could it be that the framers meant that Congress should "establish" the Post Offices and then hand them over to private corporations? As FedEx and UPS aren't mentioned, I'm certain that a "strict Constitutionalist" would have to answer, "No."
"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 (sic) Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;"
Makes one wonder if Truman, Johnson (Lyndon, of course), Nixon and/or The Regime were/are aware of this one. Oh, that's right, Congress told those people that it didn't want to be bothered, so it handed them blank checks to start any wars that they wanted to start with anyone they wanted to start them at any time and in any place.
"To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;"
I can see where this can be interpreted to mean that never ending war was OK, as long as Congress voted to finance it every two years. I certainly hope that the "Strict Constitutionalists" are keeping an eye on the frequency with which one of this country's "Wars Against a Noun" is funded. Another two years pass and ch-ching!
