Before I get started, I want to apologize for missing a week. I had kind of a family emergency. My grandmother was in the hospital and we didn't think she was going to make it. But I am happy to report she is doing much better and is now back in the rest home.
So without further ado, let us continue.
Article VII. When land forces are raised by any State for the common defense, all officers of or under the rank of colonel, shall be appointed by the legislature of each State respectively, by whom such forces shall be raised, or in such manner as such State shall direct, and all vacancies shall be filled up by the State which first made the appointment.
Article VIII. All charges of war, and all other expenses that shall be incurred for the common defense or general welfare, and allowed by the united States in congress assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several States in proportion to the value of all land within each State, granted or surveyed for any person, as such land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be estimated according to such mode as the united States in congress assembled, shall from time to time direct and appoint.
The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the several States within the time agreed upon by the united States in congress assembled.
Article VII is interesting to me. The states had the ability to appoint officers to the Army, giving them a personal stake in the military, as well as protection against the abuse of power by outside forces.
Article VIII establishes a national treasury and states that funds for federal powers should be paid from this. The Article states that the funding should be equal to the value of the land in the individual States. This is kind of an interesting idea. Although still not maybe the best system for determining taxes, might be an idea to revisit.
Gonna keep this week short, hope everyone has a great week.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Articles OF Confederation Part 3
Article VI. No State, without the consent of the united States in Congress assembled, shall send any embassy to, or receive any embassy from, or enter into any conference, agreement, alliance or treaty with any King, Prince or State; nor shall any person holding any office of profit or trust under the united States, or any of them, accept any present, emolument, office or title of any kind whatever from any King, Prince or foreign State; nor shall the United States in congress assembled, or any of them, grant any title of nobility.
No two or more States shall enter into any treaty, confederation or alliance whatever between them, without the consent of the united States in congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue.
No State shall lay any imposts or duties, which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties, entered into by the united States in congress assembled, with any King, Prince or State, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by congress, to the courts of France and Spain.
No vessel of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any State, except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary by the united States in congress assembled, for the defense of such State, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up by any State in time of peace, except such number only, as in the judgement of the united States, in congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well-regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutered, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage.
No State shall engage in any war without the consent of the united States in congress assembled, unless such State be actually invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of Indians to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay till the united States in congress assembled can be consulted; nor shall any State grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the united States in congress assembled, and then only against the kingdom or State and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the united States in congress assembled, unless such State be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue, or until the united States in congress assembled shall determine otherwise.
The 6th Article establishes what areas the Federal government should have control over. Specifically: Diplomacy; Treaties; Military Forces; and War.
While the founding fathers wanted the people in the individual states to have a great deal of power to self govern, they understood that there are somethings that should be handled by a central governing body. Hypothetically, if the state of New York entered in to a treaty with Portugal, whom had declared Massachusetts and enemy, this could cause great conflict.
And likewise, having individual states maintain their own Navies could cause great confusion in command structure during military actions against another country. Or worse yet, states could make war on one another.
I am a fervent supporter of State's rights, but I do understand the need for some measure of control over certain areas of governance. In some matters, the States must be protected from themselves and one another. And in many other areas the States must assert their authority over their own governance.
The Founding Fathers, while far from perfect, did have a great deal of foresight and wisdom. They thoroughly thought the governance of these United States through to great detail.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
No two or more States shall enter into any treaty, confederation or alliance whatever between them, without the consent of the united States in congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue.
No State shall lay any imposts or duties, which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties, entered into by the united States in congress assembled, with any King, Prince or State, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by congress, to the courts of France and Spain.
No vessel of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any State, except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary by the united States in congress assembled, for the defense of such State, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up by any State in time of peace, except such number only, as in the judgement of the united States, in congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well-regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutered, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage.
No State shall engage in any war without the consent of the united States in congress assembled, unless such State be actually invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of Indians to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay till the united States in congress assembled can be consulted; nor shall any State grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the united States in congress assembled, and then only against the kingdom or State and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the united States in congress assembled, unless such State be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue, or until the united States in congress assembled shall determine otherwise.
The 6th Article establishes what areas the Federal government should have control over. Specifically: Diplomacy; Treaties; Military Forces; and War.
While the founding fathers wanted the people in the individual states to have a great deal of power to self govern, they understood that there are somethings that should be handled by a central governing body. Hypothetically, if the state of New York entered in to a treaty with Portugal, whom had declared Massachusetts and enemy, this could cause great conflict.
And likewise, having individual states maintain their own Navies could cause great confusion in command structure during military actions against another country. Or worse yet, states could make war on one another.
I am a fervent supporter of State's rights, but I do understand the need for some measure of control over certain areas of governance. In some matters, the States must be protected from themselves and one another. And in many other areas the States must assert their authority over their own governance.
The Founding Fathers, while far from perfect, did have a great deal of foresight and wisdom. They thoroughly thought the governance of these United States through to great detail.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Articles Of Confederation Part 2
Article IV. The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different States in this union, the free inhabitants of each of these States, paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States; and the people of each State shall have free ingress and regress to and from any other State, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively, provided that such restrictions shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property imported into any State, to any other State, of which the owner is an inhabitant; provided also that no imposition, duties or restriction shall be laid by any State, on the property of the united States, or either of them.
If any person guilty of, or charged with, treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from justice, and be found in any of the united States, he shall, upon demand of the Governor or executive power of the State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of his offense.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these States to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other State.
Article V. For the most convenient management of the general interests of the united States, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislatures of each State shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved to each State to recall its delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead for the remainder of the year.
No State shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor more than seven members; and no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years; nor shall any person, being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the united States, for which he, or another for his benefit, receives any salary, fees or emolument of any kind.
Each State shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the States, and while they act as members of the committee of the States.
In determining questions in the united States, in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote.
Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress, and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests or imprisonments, during the time of their going to and from, and attendance on Congress, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace.
Article IV deals with the right of citizens and States regarding travel, commerce, and extradition. Congress did not want citizens to be limited concerning interstate travel, but they also did not want citizens able to flee criminal charges by simply crossing a State border.
Interestingly enough, this particular Article has set a precedent for legal cases regarding the requirements for driver's licenses. I won't go in to too much detail, but do a google search for "right to travel" some time and you'll see what I mean.
Article V sets up the format of Congress and the voting power of representatives. Interestingly the Articles only provide one vote for each State, regardless of State population, size, or delegation membership. Considering there was only one body for Congress, it does seem to be the only way to ensure larger states or those with greater populations would have undue influence over others.
Not a lot to say this week. The Wisconsin Government finally represented the will of the people, striking a blow for freedom. Here in Nevada, we will not be having a state fair for the first time in 136 years. Pretty sad, but unfortunately that is the economic realities of an overly taxed society that can not afford small luxuries.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
If any person guilty of, or charged with, treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from justice, and be found in any of the united States, he shall, upon demand of the Governor or executive power of the State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of his offense.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these States to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other State.
Article V. For the most convenient management of the general interests of the united States, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislatures of each State shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved to each State to recall its delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead for the remainder of the year.
No State shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor more than seven members; and no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years; nor shall any person, being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the united States, for which he, or another for his benefit, receives any salary, fees or emolument of any kind.
Each State shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the States, and while they act as members of the committee of the States.
In determining questions in the united States, in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote.
Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress, and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests or imprisonments, during the time of their going to and from, and attendance on Congress, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace.
Article IV deals with the right of citizens and States regarding travel, commerce, and extradition. Congress did not want citizens to be limited concerning interstate travel, but they also did not want citizens able to flee criminal charges by simply crossing a State border.
Interestingly enough, this particular Article has set a precedent for legal cases regarding the requirements for driver's licenses. I won't go in to too much detail, but do a google search for "right to travel" some time and you'll see what I mean.
Article V sets up the format of Congress and the voting power of representatives. Interestingly the Articles only provide one vote for each State, regardless of State population, size, or delegation membership. Considering there was only one body for Congress, it does seem to be the only way to ensure larger states or those with greater populations would have undue influence over others.
Not a lot to say this week. The Wisconsin Government finally represented the will of the people, striking a blow for freedom. Here in Nevada, we will not be having a state fair for the first time in 136 years. Pretty sad, but unfortunately that is the economic realities of an overly taxed society that can not afford small luxuries.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The Original Constitution
The Articles of Confederation
Agreed to by Congress November 15, 1777; ratified and in force, March 1, 1781.Preamble
To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the undersigned Delegates of the States affixed to our Names send greeting.Whereas the Delegates of the United States of America in Congress assembled did on the fifteenth day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven, and in the Second Year of the Independence of America, agree to certain articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, in the words following, viz:
Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Article I. The Stile of this Confederacy shall be "The United States of America."
Article II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.
Article III. The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.
The Articles Of Confederation were our nation's first attempt at organizing the new independent United States of America in to a working nation. And while I appreciate the attempt, Confederations never last. In a confederation, the individual political units, States in this case, maintain their sovereignty (in other words, each is its own nation), but they join together in a coordinated way to deal with certain issues, such as security. This independence of each political unit is seen as both the main advantage and main disadvantage of a confederation.
While I am very much in favor of the power and independence of individual states, I also understand that there is a very small area between anarchy and oppression. A delicate balance has to be maintained between the powers of the individual and the state, as well as between the state powers and Federal powers.
In these Articles the States outline their desire to remain independent while at the same time retaining the protection of their continued alliance. Unfortunately, the Articles do not give a structure to enforce this alliance. Their is no way to maintain the balance.
We must always beware those who would desire to shift the balance to far one way or the other. Our nation is designed to allow for corrections, to allow shifts in the balance. But we must actively participate if we are to maintain the balance.
We must balance security and liberty. We must balance economy and conservation. We must balance welfare and independence.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
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