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If the Constitution is silent, that means it is prohibited. The constitution is first and foremost a document outlining what the federal government is allowed
by the_ancient 11y ago
If the Constitution is silent, that means it is prohibited.
The constitution is first and foremost a document outlining what the federal government is allowed to do. If it is not listed in the Constitution, then by design the government does not have the authority.
I think this has been lost, in part by the inclusion of the bill of rights, which where never intended to be an all inclusive lists of a persons rights.
- maxerickson 11y agoSection. 8. 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; That's some pretty broad power that is enumerated right there. to ... provide for the ... general Welfare
- the_ancient 11y agoActually it is not, unless you take it out of context like you have.... Allow me to Quote Jefferson... "“[T]he laying of taxes is the power, and the general welfare the purpose for which the power is to be exercised. They [Congress] are not to lay taxes ad libitum for any purpose they please; but only to pay the debts or provide for the welfare of the Union. In like manner, they are not to do anything they please to provide for the general welfare, but only to lay taxes for that purpose" Meaning to the founders that section was explicitly about collecting taxes and does not give wide over arching powers to legislate things about the "general welfare" of the population.