“A principled conservative would have opposed the creation of this project all together.”
“If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money,and will promote the General Welfare,” James Madison wrote, “theGovernment is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers,but an indefinite one, subject to particular exceptions.”
Wrong, Mr. Madison. The Constitution, according to the new VisitorCenter, isn’t a list of powers but “aspirations” that Congress isexpected to define and realize. I guess those are like the rights theSupreme Court, in the 1960s, began discovering in “penumbras” and”emanations” of the Constitution.
What “aspirations,” you ask? There are six:
(1) Unity (as in “a more perfect Union” in the Preamble, which grants Congress no power).
(2) Freedom (based on the First Amendment, which begins, by the way, with “Congress shall make no law… .”).
(3) Common defense (from Article I, Section 8).
(4) Knowledge (authority to promote public education, support arts and sciences, fund extensive research).
(5) Exploration (to justify funding “curiosity and boldness.” Both Nos.4. and 5. come from a convoluted reading of the clause grantingCongress the power to issue patents.)
(6) General welfare (found in Article I, Section 8’s restriction ofthe taxing power, but taken here to mean “improving transportation,promoting agriculture and industry, protecting health and theenvironment, and seeking ways to solve social and economic problems”).
See for yourself. The full text of the script and orientation filmis online at heritage.org/leadershipforamerica/upload/CVC.pdf.
This exhibit is Congress’ temple to liberals’ “living Constitution,”the eternal font of lawmakers’ evolving mandate to achieve the nation’sideals. There are no fixed meanings in their version, only open-ended”aspirations.” The Constitution is an empty vessel, to be adapted tothe times, as required to bring change. It means nothing – or anything. (It is up to each and every person capable of doing so to change that. — Ed.)