The Constitution
A private citizen cannot violate the Constitution because it was meant to restrain this entity, NOT the people.
What is the government?
Article 1 Section 1 gives ONLY this entity the power to make laws.
What is Congress?
In the following situation of conflict, this law would prevail: a federal law versus a state law.
What is a Federal law?
30 specific, "numbered" powers granted to the government in Congress.
What is Enumerated Powers?
The Greek word used in the New Testament, and used by our Founding Fathers, that meant "Mature or wholeness".
What is "perfect"?
When we become aware of a gap between the requirements of the Constitution and the actions of our government, we have this responsibility as enlightened citizens, to ensure our leaders follow the Constitution as written.
What is the duty to act?
Who is the one granting the powers when it says in Article 1 Section 1 says that "all legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States"?
What is We the People? (From the Preamble.)
In the following situation of conflict, this law would prevail: A law passed by Congress in 2013, versus a law passed by Congress in 1813.
What is a law passed by Congress in 2013?
"Beyond the power" - an act where the government goes beyond the power granted to it by the Constitution.
What is Ultra vires?
The original but "less perfect" document that was replaced by the Constitution.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
The Constitution was ratified in this year.
What is 1789?
This Act was the one that was considered the the most offensive by the Revolutionaries, even over the Stamp Act (which was repealed at the same time this Act was added).
What is the Declaratory Act?
Of the two most important primary sources used to discover the original intent in the language of the Constitution, these debate records are the most important.
What are State Ratifying Convention records?
As direct a source as possible for an event being studied, instead of second hand commentary or interpretation.
What is a primary source?
This changes through the years, requiring us to look at primary sources, so that we can determine original intent.
What is language or words?
What is "the Supreme law of the land"?
When we allow a law or mandate to be enacted in an improper way, regardless of if it is a good or bad law, we set this for allowing future improper law changes.
What is precedent?
This case was the first time the Supreme Court exercised its power of Judicial Review - but it set bad precedent in doing so when it didn't use the Constitution to come to its decision.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
Seizing of power by force and without right.
What is usurpation?
In Romeo and Juliet, this well-known phrase meant "Why are you" and not "where are you", as understood in Shakespeare's day.
What is "Oh Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art though Romeo"?
He was quoted as saying, in regards to allowing a bill that authorized a national bank "Certainly no such universal power was meant to be given them. [The Constitution] was intended to lace them up straightly within the enumerated powers."
Who was Thomas Jefferson?
This founding father and writer of Common Sense said "All delegated power is trust, and all assumed power is usurpation."
Who is Thomas Paine?
This Article of the Constitution provides the judicial power of the United States, vested in one Supreme Court, and inferior courts as established by Congress.
What is Article 3?
What is Judicial Review?
Influential philosopher who believed in the equality of all men. (And also a key character name in the amazing TV show LOST.)
Who is John Locke?