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Where in the Constitution is the federal government given permission to run your favorite program?

I suggest looking up Article I Section 8 (the powers of the Congress) and Article II Section 2 (the powers of the President). It is illegal and treasonous (not to mention perjury, considering their Oath of Office)) for the Congress or the President to do anything which they are not given power to do in the Constitution. By the way, the Commerce Clause only grants the Feds power to prevent states from interfering with interstate commerce (for example, refusing to let people transport products legally purchased in another state across state lines or imposing a tariff on interstate commerce) and does not grant the federal government any power to interfere with the free movement of interstate commerce. The General Welfare (which is in the preamble) grants the federal government no power, as the preamble is purely symbolic. I should also note that the president's power as Commander-in-Chief only applies when a war has been declared by Congress, a situation which has not been the case since the end of WWII in 1945. I also have to note that federal judges are restricted to upholding the Constitution and do not have any right to abuse their office by making up new powers. The only way for the federal government to acquire any additional powers is through the amendment process. The main power they have acquired through amendment is the power to lay an unapportioned direct tax on incomes (the 16th Amendment). Most amendments have reduced the power of the federal government. Of course, Jim Clyburn, the 3rd highest ranking Democrat in the House, confessed recently: "There's nothing in the Constitution that says that the federal government has anything to do with most of the stuff we do." If you cannot find any power to justify your favorite government program in the Constitution, then there is an amendment process. If what you want is truly desirable, I'm sure you'll be able to get it ratified. If you think that the federal government ought to provide "free" health care for everybody or promote religion, you are free to advocate a Constitutional amendment. However, it is currently illegal to implement such programs.

Public Comments

1. the 10th Amendment. Wait, that says they aren't supposed to do anything that's not specifically authorized in the Constitution. Never mind.
2. Damn. Does this mean that I can't use Microsoft Office anymore?
3. Okay, wiseguy. YOU go and try and take Granny's Medicare away. Yes, you Brad. (This should be fun to watch!)
4. The Constitution means what the Supreme Court says it means -- not one whit more or less. After President Obama gets done packing the Supreme Court with leftists, the "general welfare" clause will trump all of the restrictions on Federal authority and the socialist day will emerge triumphant.
5. I think allot of people forget how our government is supposed to work. Very nicely put Brad.