CONSTITUTIONAL MINUTE #19

What would happen if we turned over a new leaf and voted only for “what”, not “who”?

The “what” being the United States Constitution.

It should be the standard by which we measure our candidates for votes.

It’s the Supreme Law of the Land (Article VI).

If candidates for public office do not campaign on issues that are consistent with the Supreme Law of the Land – then why should they get the vote?

For starters, if we required Congress to stay within the enumerated powers, two things would happen.

Firstly, the job of US Senator or Representative would be so boring, few would want to be reelected.

After all, how many times can you revise the bankruptcy code (authorized by Art. I, § 8, cl. 4); fix the Standard of Weights and Measures (authorized by Art. I, §8, cl.5); and organize the Patent and Copyright Office (authorized by Art. I, §8, cl.8)?

Secondly, there would be no opportunity to get rich while in Congress, build a power base, and have “prestige”.

So the office would no longer attract those who go into politics for the sake of their own egos, pocketbooks, and depraved lust for power.

And if we also stopped pouring out the blood of our young people and incurring ever more debt to pay for our constant military meddling all over the world, there would be very little for Congress to do.

After the cleanup period, the job of US Senator or Representative would become so boring – and so financially unrewarding – it would be seen as a civic duty to be stoically endured for a short time – instead of a cushy ticket to personal wealth, power, prestige, and a luxurious taxpayer funded retirement for life.