Letter to John Shadegg

A letter I sent to John Shadegg


Glad to hear you are trying to educate congress on their authority through the Enumerated Powers Act.  Incredible that should a thing should be needed, as though it wasn't clear enough (9th and 10th Amendments).  One thing is missing for the Constitutionally illiterate.   Please clarify this to your colleagues and revise the act if you must submit it again to Congress.  

There are no powers granted to the government in the Preamble to the Constitution.   I have heard that according to House rules many bills cite the authority under which they should be implemented, which is a step in the right direction.   But rumor is they all say that they are promoting the general welfare.   “Promote the general welfare” is not a power of congress.  The powers of Congress are listed in Article I, section 8 and no where else.  Only a power monger would think otherwise.  (And they added Section 9 to tell Congress what they cannot do.)  

Again – there are no powers granted to the government in the Preamble.   This is only an introduction to the purpose of the Constitution and the government to be formed.