On May 13, 2024, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) was a bewildering volume of regulations, exceeding 41,000 pages. 30 days later, the page count has dramatically increased. The federal alphabet soup agencies incessantly add new rules that threaten our natural and civil rights. Was this the intent of the 1778 Constitutional Convention?
Original Intent
Our nation is a union of states, politically unified populations occupying definite territories. Our Texas Constitution, Article 1, Section 1 declares, “Texas is a free and independent State, subject only to the Constitution of the United States, and the maintenance of our free institutions and the perpetuity of the Union depend upon the preservation of the right of local self-government, unimpaired to all the States.”
Furthermore, Section 2 declares, “All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. The faith of the people of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a republican form of government, and, subject to this limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform, or abolish their government in such manner as they may think expedient.”
The U.S. Constitution restrains the federal government in seven articles.
The Tenth Amendment delineates federal powers from state powers: “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.”
A simple reading of Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, 17 clauses, enumerates the federal government’s powers.
When you have a moment, read Article 1, Section 8. Which clause empowers the federal government to be involved in our public schools? If Congress passes a bill into law, is this not the Supreme Law of the Land. The simple answer is no.
Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution clearly states, “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land…”
We, the People, are obligated to read and study the Constitution to preserve our republican form of government.
President Ronald Reagan wisely noted, “Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.”
John N. White 