I see that many are upset because U.S. Rep. Paul Broun calls or writes them. That may be, but he is the only member of Congress I can recall who would not vote for a popular bill because he considered it unconstitutional.
I believe, as he apparently does, that the Constitution was written so that the average citizen with an average education can read it and understand it. The courts have filled it with so many esoteric doctrines and phrases that no one can read it or understand it today. There have been books written on the First Amendment alone. A riot is not speech, money is not speech and there are laws against religion. Speech is no longer free. Anyone can name exceptions to freedom of speech.
All laws are constitutional until questioned in the courts. We live under them every day, We cannot question all of them. Many say that voter registration is too expensive, but it costs a lot more to question the law, and the state does not give aid for that.
So I applaud Dr. Broun for asking the question before the law is passed. For example, I am unable to find a constitutional basis for taking a person's money and giving it to people of another nation. Can you?
Ernest F, Daniel, Augusta
Comments
F R E A K I N ' F R A N K I N G !! Hey doc, do us all a favor and spend our tax dollars on something besides your blatantly self-serving, election year, free loading, what have I done for you lately mail pieces and phone calls. How much has this cost. Try applying it to the deficit run up by Georgie that my grandkids will have to pay for...
The people that Rep Broun has offended sure are adamant. Otherwise he seems to be doing a good job, if you're a constitutionalist.
Yes, a constitutionalist, and an immature brat as well. Read how Mr. Broun and many of his fellow Republicans acted out this week on roll call votes on topics as vital as recognizing mothers on Mothers Day. :
The reason nothing is getting done in Congress is because of stalling tactics like this.
Yeah, accuracyplease. The inner workings of congress are often posing and positioning. Plenty of B.S. to fill the time of our legislators while they wait for instructions from their lobbyists. Aren't we all proud.
I wonder if it was a lobbyist who told Dr. Broun to draft a law to ban all "Girly" magazines from military installations?
Patricia, a constitutionalist wouldn't have spent all that money on franking, nor would he have pushed to reopen BRAC, nor would he have pushed a federal abortion ban, nor would he push to remove Playboy from PXs. Constitutionalists believe that states' rights are states' rights all the time, not when it's convenient. I myself am no constitutionalist, but I'm smart enough to realize that Broun is about as much of a constitutionalist as I am. It's a great slogan, but it's wholly inaccurate when applied to Broun's job performance.
nahali, if you use the spin to justify Broun's actions, I'd agree with you, but if you listen to Broun explain why he voted like he did it's a different story. He'll NEVER be liked by the populists and he'll never get a break from the liberal media. Just as you're known by the company you keep, you're know by your enemies.
Dr. Broun sees through the rhetoric and reads the legislation himself before he votes. Constitutionalist is a rather primitive limitation to describe any legislator, because obviously it is much more complex of an age. However, he does refer to his understanding of the Constitution, which helps his consistency when voting. It is kind of like understanding the Bible. It happens to be an excellent template for making decisions.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
