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Introduction to the “Healing of America” Seminar Series
“Healing of America” Seminars
In this brief video Dr. Glenn J. Kimber tells us in his own words why he feels the Thomas Jefferson Center for Constitutional Restoration seminar series “The Healing of America” is so important.
The average citizen of the United States of America does not understand their central governing document, the United States Constitution. In recent months a furvor has been created believing that the constitution should be changed that it is no longer relevant to the people of today. Yet few citizens of the United States actually know what is contained in this great document.
As citizens of this great country we should know and understand our constitution, our history, our heritage. It is vitally important that we as a people understand this governing document before any actions are taken to change or alter the United States Constitution.
Our Education System No Longer Has Guiding Principles
Many of our university professors do not have an understanding of the constitution. There are numerous professors that are actively teaching “constitutional studies” that are deficient in the necessary knowledge and understanding of our United States governing document. The principles contained in the constitution are eternal! Our founding fathers labored diligently over every word of this document so that our God given rights and freedoms would be protected.
Check out Part 2 of the Healing of America Seminars
1925 Supreme Court Changes to the United States Constitution
1925 Supreme Court Changes to the United States Constitution
In 1913 changes to the United States Constitution were made by the enactment of the 16th and 17th amendments. The 1925 Supreme Court in the Butler Case decision used the newly enacted amendments to justify changes to the United States Constitution.
The Founding Fathers constitution had checks and balances placed within the governing document that established to limit the power and authority of the Federal government over the lives of the people. The Founders were fearful that an all powerful Federal government would not be responsive to the people’s rights.
Historically prior to the U. S. Constitution governmental bodies were not responsive to the rights and freedom of its citizenry. It was not until the enactment of the U. S. Constitution in 1789 that the rights and freedom of people were to be protected. The Founding Fathers were aware of the adage that power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely. The checks and balances were established in the original Founding Fathers Constitution so that the Federal governments appetite for power could be controlled.
Enactment of the 16th and 17th amendments to the constitution negated the checks and balances that were in the original constitution. The 16th amendment allowed the Federal government to directly tax each State’s citizens. The 17th amendment removed the United States Senators as “sentinels” to protect the rights of their state. The Senators no longer had to report back to their State do determine what actions needed to be taken in Washington D. C.
U. S. Constitution Turned Upside Down
These amendment modifications allowed the Supreme Court to drastically make changes to the United States Constitution in their Butler Case decision that reversed the documents purpose. This one decision has turned the constitution upside down. Whereas the constitution was originally written to protect the rights and freedom of the people, the newly revised constitution, after the Supreme Court decision gave the Federal government unlimited control and authority.
The Founding Fathers constitution limited the powers of the Federal government. The new constitutional Supreme Court interpretation has reversed the the authority positions of power from the people to the Federal government. The Federal government is now free unbridled and unrestrained to do whatever. The people now have limited power to control their Federal government.
Out-of-Control Federal Government
The States which had originally given the Federal government its powers and authority now found themselves subrogated under the control of an all-powerful Federal government. In less than a hundred years from this historic 1925 Supreme Court decision the freedom of the people has been greatly curtailed accompanied by a Federal government that has established an unprecedented debt obligation on the people. The government’s appetite for power must be controlled or America will collapse.
The system without the checks and balances does not provide sufficient motivations for members of congress to curtail the runaway actions of the Federal government. It is irrelevant which political party the congressional members represent as the system established by the current constitution does not provide motivation to protect the rights and freedom of the people. The current governmental system rewards congressional members who recklessly increase benefits for their individual electorate in order to get re-elected.
The U. S. Senators no longer protect the rights of their State. The people’s rights and freedom are not being protected by any of the governmental branches. Governmental control must be returned back to the people.
Repeal the 17th Amendment
Repealing the 17th amendment to the constitution will reinstate the authority of the States allowing the State governments to VETO inappropriate Federal actions. Without restoring VETO authority to the State governments the states will not have the power to stop the unbridled Federal abuses.
Failure to control the Federal government will lead to national insolvency. This insolvency will have unparalleled consequences affecting life, freedom and the ability of the people to pursue happiness. It is imperative that the Federal government be bridled by the people.
Healing America
Just as changes to the United States Constitution had unknown consequences the process of healing America must be accomplished with great care and deliberation. The checks and balances established in the original Founding Fathers Constitution must be restored so that the ills facing America can be tackled without creating other problems.
Inappropriate or untimely modifications to the constitution may produce consequences that produce results that further the loss of rights and freedom of the people. It is so important to re-establish the United States Senators as “sentinels” for the States and the people prior to addressing other actions to correct problems.
By restoring the checks and balances of the original Founding Fathers constitution America can begin the healing process. America can return to its position of greatness. A free American people allowed to be productive will lead the rest of the world back into freedom and prosperity.
The Founding Fathers view on Religious Freedom
Founding Fathers view on Religious Freedom
Of primary importance to the Founding Fathers was their belief that all religions should be protected by law whether Christian or non-Christian. This is the first time that this premise of religious equality had been protected by law, a legal charter or constitution. The Founding Fathers felt that religious freedom was paramount to the functioning of a moral free society.
Early Americans entwined views of liberty along with religious beliefs that one could not separate from the other. Religion was essential part of everyday life in the newly formed United States. Though the Founding Fathers felt it was important to separate church and state it was essential that religious morals prevailed in all government dealings.
George Washington believed that religion and morality were the pillars of society and provided the greatest possibility for human happiness. The Founders believed, because of man’s disposition and habits, that religion and morality were essential elements of political prosperity.
Universal Fundamentals
As important as religion was to the early Americans it was important that no religion infringe on an individual’s beliefs or tenets. Standards were established based on fundamental religious beliefs and these standards were taught in the schools.
The Founding Fathers were adamant that there be a separation of church and state, but not religion and state. Youth as well as government leaders should live by a moral code.
Schools taught recognition of a Creator who had revealed a moral code for happiness which helped men understand right from wrong. Schools also taught that we would be held accountable for the way we treated one another and that in the next life we would be judged according to the decisions we made.
School instruction was limited to the universal fundamentals so as to not have an outside political body instruct religious tenets. The schools were to teach the youth the basic beliefs which united everyone.
Religious Test for Government Service
The Founding Fathers felt that anyone holding a government position should possess the highest qualities of moral character. However, the Founders as avid students of history knew the problems created by requiring religious tests for members of government.
It was felt that religious tests for government service would give the Federal government too much control over who could or could not serve in government. It was essential that members of all religions be eligible to hold a public office in the government.
All Freedom Central to Religious Freedom
The Founding Fathers believed that religious freedom was essential if men were to enjoy any other freedom. This is because our rights come from God. These rights are referred to as unalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence, the right to life, the right to liberty, and the right to pursue a course in life that will bring happiness. If these rights are violated the offender will come under the judgment of God.
The right to religious freedom is also an unalienable right. In fact, the Supreme Court has stated numerous times that freedom of religion is the most precious unalienable rights next to life itself. Religious faith and living by moral values is the best way to protect our freedom and security.
Checks and Balances
Checks and Balances
Our Founding Fathers were fearful of their Federal government becoming abusive to the people. The accompanying fear of an abusive system of government is a run-a-way government that is not being prudent in how the people’s money is spent. Due to these fears the Founding Fathers sought ways the central government’s powers could be controlled. A system of Checks and Balances was established to bridle the activities of the Federal government.
States Separate Federal Government from the People
The Founding Fathers felt that the State leaders were best prepared to protect the people’s rights from a run-a-way government so a political wall was established between the people and the Federal government. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution defines what the Federal government was allowed to do.
James Madison the acknowledged Father of the Constitution stated that the powers granted to the Federal government are few and defined. A short list of twenty powers were assigned to the Federal government; limiting its powers and responsibilities. These powers were given by the State governments to the Federal government.
In Article 1, Section 8 the Federal government was given the twenty powers that the States felt were best suitable for a Federal government to be allowed to do. The Federal government was restricted to these twenty powers. Any increase in the powers assigned the Federal government would have to be modified by the people.
Bill of Rights
Even with the Checks and Balances that were placed into the Constitution to protect the rights of the people some of the Founding Fathers were still hesitant to sign-onto the Constitution. To get the acceptance of these Founding Fathers the “Bill of Rights” was added to the Constitution.
The Bill of Rights goes into greater clarity defining the powers the Federal government is NOT allowed to do. It was felt by many of the Founding Fathers that the central government would attempt to over step their specified list of powers if the Bill of Rights were not added to the constitutional document.
Balance of Power
The checks and balances ensure a balance of power. The structure of the Federal government creates a balance of power. The checks established in the constitution were created by the Founders to keep the Federal government under control.
The House of Representatives has the assigned responsibility to protect the rights of the people. House Representatives are elected by the people to represent their needs for a period of two years. The representatives were to be subject to the people thereby protecting the people’s rights.
The U. S. Senators were to be appointed by their respective State legislature. The Senators were assigned the responsibility to represent the rights and needs of their State. These Senators were to report back to their State’s legislature actions that were being taken at the federal level of government. The State legislature would then decide what actions the U. S. Senators would take for the benefit of their state.
The President of the United States was to be the administrator of the House of Representatives as well as the Senate protecting the rights and freedom of the people along with the States. In this way there is a balance of powers created designed to protect the unalienable rights of the people.
Checks
The key to the established checks within the constitution is the VETO authority of each of the branches of government. The House of Representatives has the ability to VETO actions taken by the SENATE as well as actions taken by the PRESIDENT of the United States. In turn, the Senate has VETO power over the House of Representatives as well as the President. The President in turn has VETO authority over the actions taken by the House and Senate.
It is these VETO powers giving authority to each of the branches of the Federal government that create the “checks” of powers and abuse. Use of the VETO authority creates the balance of power as it guarantees that NO laws can be passed unless the people’s rights and the state’s rights are fully protected.
Main Duties of the House of Representatives
The House members have the power to VETO legislation that does not benefit their electorate the people. The House of Representatives has the power to tax the States. No where within the original constitution was the Federal government given the right to tax the people directly. Revenue required by the Federal government was to be levied onto the States. The House has the power to SPEND; the power to BORROW. The House of Representatives are responsible for the GENERAL welfare of the people. The House is responsible to handle affairs that deal with multiple States. Decisions of the House of Representatives can commit the States funds as well as actions.
Responsibilities of the Senate
The Senators were to be the “sentinels” for the States to protect their State’s rights. Senators were to be appointed by their state legislature for a period of six years. The Senate was designed to be a stable element cooling the actions of the House and President of the United States. The Senate terms were established to be for a six year period along with being staggered so as to avoid emotional political turmoil. The Senators were to be the stabilizing influence at the Federal government level.
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court was established to ensure that the constitutional provisions were adhered to by all parties. The Supreme Court was to be the “watchdogs” of the constitution to further protect the unalienable rights and freedom of the people.
The Supreme Court was given the power and authority to overrule the actions of the President and the bi-camel congress if actions taken were found to be contrary to the limitations and powers established in the constitution. In this way excesses of government could be controlled.
RECAP
This system of checks and balances worked well for over 130 years. The people’s rights as well as the State’s rights were protected. In 1913 the established checks and balances were drastically altered creating many of the problems we as a nation are undergoing today. The enactment of the 16th and 17th amendments have virtually destroyed the established checks and balances found in the Founding Fathers Constitution.