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[HairyEyeball]

For Sale: 1776 Constitution. Inherited from original owner. Unused for years, but can be easily restored to original condition by extermination of the rats which have taken up residence under the hood, and the removal of useless accessories added by a long series of unethical mechanics who saw more advantage, financial and otherwise, of forcing it to the right or the left, than if the integrity of its original design was retained. Must be seen to be appreciated. Must be appreciated to be truly seen.

It's only humorous because of the irony: When Iraq's first parliament and we were hammering out their Constitution (which, curiously enough, carefully omitted any provision similar to our Second Amendment), the standing joke was that we might as well give them ours - we hadn't used it in years.

Peruse the enumerated powers of the three branches, and compare not only what they are required to do with what they actually do, and what they are enjoined from - again, with what they do anyway.

Article I, Section 8:
"The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, tho pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States."

Where, precisely, in that sentence is the Congress granted the authority to confiscate the earnings of one segment of society for the sole purpose of redistributing it to the indolent?

"To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof."

If the power 'to make all Laws' lies with the Congress, by what authority do the unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats - the BATFEIEIO, OSHA, and myriad acronymic bureaucracies and 'departments' - promulgate 'law'? Have they usurped the power, in a clear and unambiguous act of sedition, or has the Legislature abrogated its sworn duties, through malfeasance, misfeasance, lack of feasance, and/or criminal ineptitude?

Read up on your Constitution, boys and girls, on the history and debates that formed it, and have at it.