THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OVERVIEW

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION?

Very few Americans know much about the U.S. Constitution, even though it is "The Greatest Charter of Liberty the World has ever known". It has given the Americans a way of life that no other people have ever had. Isn't it time to realize what we have? This is a wake-up call to learn of its POWER and MAJESTY.

Our government has strayed from true constitutional laws and the problems in this country could be solved if we return to the original intent of U. S. Constitution.

The following information was organized by Linda N. Hackett and was taken from the book, "MAKING OF AMERICA" by Dr. W. Cleon Skousen. He took 40 years to research the information and another 14 years to write his marvelous book. He is highly acclaimed for his work. By searching this information the following was found:

 The Early Americans had a choice, declare independence and form a "new government" or remain under English control. THEY CHOSE INDEPENDENCE !

The Founding Fathers knew a government must provide JUSTICE and PROTECTION for the people to have what they all want: PROSPERITY, PEACE, and FREEDOM.

They studied ALL pre-existing and existing governments to find the right one. They found it did not exist. Instead, they found governments took away from the people's PROSPERITY, PEACE, and FREEDOM, because they were run by rulers who exploited the people. They made LAWS for themselves at the expense of the people! (Sound familiar)

SOLUTION: Form a government of the PEOPLE because the PEOPLE would make laws for the good of the PEOPLE.

HOW DO YOU PUT THE POWER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE?

This is how they did it:

SEPARATE THE POWER AND PUT CHECKS AND BALANCES IN PLACE

HOW?
By doing the following:
1.
Separate the main government into three heads: EXECUTIVE (President), LEGISLATIVE (Congress), JUDICIAL (Supreme Court).
2. Write down all the laws the government is to follow. (The United States Constitution).
3. Have all elected officials take an oath to follow, uphold and defend those laws. (The U. S. Constitution)
4. Make the Congress, the Law Making Body, because there are many members elected by THE PEOPLE.
5. Declare all laws passed unconstitutional, to be null and void.
6. Require a journal to be kept of all the proceedings and open to THE PEOPLE.
7. Have two divisions of government, THE FEDERAL and THE STATE. Each to check on the other and bring the government closer to THE PEOPLE.
8. Have a Federal and State court system set up to check on each other.
9. Have an impeachment process.
10. Give THE PEOPLE the right to vote.
11. Give THE PEOPLE the right to voice their grievances.
12. Educate THE PEOPLE on the laws in the United States Constitution.

OK, let’s get educated on the United States Constitution!
THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION is the LAWS our government is to rule by. Its purpose is to STOP GOVERNMENT ABUSE OF THE PEOPLE.

The Key is in the LAW! Here is the LAW:

WHAT ARE THE 11 POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT?

1. Chief of State
2. Chooses his Vice President
3. Chooses governmental officials with consent of the Senate
4. Receives foreign visitors.
5. Makes treaties if 2/3 of Senate agrees
6. May require opinions and reports from government agencies.
7. Gives State of the Union Address
8. Can veto laws
9. Sees that the laws are faithfully executed
10. Can pardon for offenses against the U. S.
11. Commander and chief of the military.
BASICALLY THE PRESIDENT IS AN OVERSEER OF THE NATION. HE DOESN'T MAKE LAWS OR DECLARE WAR.

WHAT ARE THE 22 POWERS OF THE CONGRESS?
(Congress consists of 2 Senators from each state and Representatives are according to the population.)

1. Determine if members are properly elected
2. Punish own members for disorderly behavior
3. Has complete control over Federal Lands and Buildings
4. HAS ALL LAW MAKING POWER
5. Collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises
6. Pay the debts
7. Bring impeachment charges
8. Regulate commerce between states and with other countries
9. Establish uniform rules for naturalization
10. Establish uniform laws regarding bankruptcy
11. Can borrow on credit of U.S.
12. Has power to coin and value money
13. Fix weights and measures
14. Punish counterfeiting
15. Establish post offices
16. Encourage science and useful arts, issue copyrights and patents
17. Set up federal courts
18. Define and punish piracies and felonies on high seas
19. Grant letters of marquee and reprisal
20. Call for the state militia when need to
21. Declare War
22. Keep a journal of proceedings, open to the public
BASICALLY CONGRESS IS THE LAW MAKING BODY OF GOVERNMENT; HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT TO BE INVOLVED IN ANYTHING NOT LISTED.

WHAT RESTRICTIONS ARE THERE, ON THE LAWS THAT CONGRESS CAN MAKE?
1. NO LAWS against religion
2. NO LAWS against the freedom of speech and press
3. NO LAWS against the right of peaceful assembly
4. NO LAWS against the right to voice grievances
5. NO LAWS against the right to bare arms
6. NO LAWS against the right to be secure in persons, houses, papers
7. NO LAWS against the right to vote
8. NO soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner
9. NO taking land for federal use, without just compensation
WHAT ARE THE POWERS OF SUPREME COURT?
1. All judges appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the senate
2. Congress can impeach judges for treason, bribery, or other crimes, not for unpopular decision.
3. Judges are appointed for life on good behavior
4. Congress is authorized to restrict the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, but rarely done.
5. The administration of this judicial power shall extend to all cases, both in law and in equity.
6. Shall have jurisdiction over any question concerning the Constitution and Laws of the United States
7. And over any question arising under the treaties or agreements made by authorities of U. S.
8. Shall judge any controversies between two or more states
9. Shall judge controversies between citizens of different states
10. Judge an issue between a state or the citizens thereof and any foreign state or subjects thereof
11. Judge all cases affecting ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls
 THE FEDERAL SUPREME COURT IS THE GUARDIAN OF THE CONSTITUTION. THEIR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE ALL THE LAWS PASSED ARE ACCORDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

The above are the powers granted to the three heads of the federal government and anytime they involve themselves in any other power than what is listed, they are considered to be involved in unconstitutional activities and should be called into line by the people.
THE RESULTS:
U.S.A. SUPER STAR In a little over a century, their formula allowed less than 6% of the human family to become the richest industrial nation on earth. It allowed them to originate more than half of the world's total production and enjoy the highest standard of living in the history of the world. It also produced a very generous people. No nation in all the recorded annals of the past has shared so much of it's wealth with every other nation as has the United States of America .
LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT:
PROSPERITY
 what causes Prosperity?
Two things causes prosperity, one is the FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM
in this system you have the Freedom to:
1. Have a job of you choice
2. Buy
3. Sell
4. Try
5. Fail
6. Make a Profit.
The second is GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION & PROTECTION in "ONLY FOUR" AREAS:
1. To prevent force
2. To prevent Fraud
3. To prevent Monopoly
4. To prevent Debauchery (This is the vices detrimental to a community, such as gambling, drugs, liquor, prostitution, pornography, etc.) Many times people try to get away with promoting such vices on the excuse of "Freedom of Speech" however; "Freedom of Speech" is restricted when it comes to harming others. You are not allowed to shout "Fire" in a crowded building as a joke; it can cause harm and is against the law. Debauchery causes harm and can and should be restricted by a state or a community.
What destroys Prosperity?
1. Big Government
2. Too many taxes
3. Too many regulations
4. Too much interference by Government
5. Too much welfare
6. Too much crime.
All of the preceding does not produce any profit they only consumes the profit that produces wealth.
Government is to protect not provide. If left alone, the people can provide for themselves and those in need, much better.

PEACE
What causes Peace?
Four items:
1. A strong Defense
2. A Good Foreign Policy (Be friends with all, but stay out of their business, it will cause enemies and we can't police the whole world, without destroying our own protection.)
3. A fair and Equal Court system
4. Religious Liberty
What Destroys Peace?
1. Weak Defense
2. Interfering in everyone’s affairs
3. Unfair and Unequal court system
4. Religious restrictions
FREEDOM

What causes Freedom?
1. A few good laws
2. Good protection, especially on your rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
What destroys Freedom?
1. Laws, laws and more laws
2. Inadequate protection
3. No justice
Let's go back....
The KEY IS IN THE LAW and the SOLUTION IS IN THE PEOPLE.
IN WHOSE HANDS DOES THE POWER OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LAY?
"Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. THE PEOPLE themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories. And to render them safe, their minds must be improved to a certain degree." "I consider THE PEOPLE who constitute a society or nation as the source of ALL AUTHORITY in that nation." Thomas A. Jefferson
EACH HAS A JOB TO DO:
The President scrutinizes THE LAWS as to how good they are for the NATION.
The Senate scrutinizes THE LAWS as to how good they are for the STATE.
The House of Representatives scrutinizes THE LAWS as to how good they are for the PEOPLE.
The Supreme Court scrutinizes THE LAWS to see that they go according to the CONSTITUTION.
THE PEOPLE ARE TO MAKE SURE ALL THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE DOING THEIR JOBS RIGHT.
HOW?
1. Know the U. S. Constitution
2. Vote in good and wise men
3. Voice their grievances.
If we don't like the laws our government officials are passing, then we must voice our grievances to change it. If they won't change it, then we should not vote those government officials in office again. We are responsible for what is happening in this country. We shouldn't complain if we are not doing anything to change it. How do we change things, by voicing our grievances?
How can you voice your grievances?
1. A petition (least effective)
2. A personal letter (More effective)
3. A personal visit (Even more effective)
4. A paid lobbyist (Very effective)
5. A peaceful demonstration (Most effective)
WHERE ARE WE TODAY....RULER'S LAW OR PEOPLE'S LAW?
If EVERYONE is doing their job right, only "GOOD LAWS" would be passed and we would be living in PROSPERITY, PEACE AND FREEDOM. The SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND, THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IS THE KEY AND THE PEOPLE ARE THE SOLUTION. DO YOU NOTICE ANYONE NOT DOING THEIR JOB? What are YOU going to do about it?
How can there be a government of the PEOPLE, for the PEOPLE, by the PEOPLE if the PEOPLE don't know the constitution and are not involved.
To get complete information on the United States Constitution, we suggest the book "MAKING OF AMERICA" by W. Cleon Skousen (920 PAGES)