Pubdate: Tue, 13 Aug 2002
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2002, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Wayne L. Parker

FOUNDERS HAD A PROFOUND DISTRUST FOR THE POPULAR WILL

In a recent interview with citizens concerning medical marijuana, 
Congressman Gene Taylor declared his unequivocal support for the drug war. 
When asked what part of the Constitution authorized the federal government 
to engage in that war, Mr. Taylor responded, "the common good."

Now, recognizing that the term "common good" does not appear anywhere in 
the Constitution, I must conclude that the congressman meant "general welfare."

However, although it is believed that this term "amounts to an unlimited 
commission to exercise every power which may be alleged to be necessary for 
the... general welfare," such is not the case.

In fact, the term I just stated in quotations is actually included in 
Federalist 41, in which James Madison scornfully ridiculed that popular 
notion of the "general welfare" clause.

The question we need to be asking is how a sitting congressman can swear an 
oath, on the Bible, six times, to defend and uphold the Constitution when 
apparently he doesn't even understand the basic terms of the document.

Interestingly, throughout the interview the congressman justified his 
policies by continually referring to the "majority" that supports him.

The Founders, in their wisdom, had a profound distrust for the popular will.

Alexander Hamilton pointed out, "The voice of the people has been said to 
be the voice of God; and however generally this maxim has been quoted and 
believed, it is not true in fact. The people are turbulent and changing; 
they seldom judge or determine right."

Public support for a drug war that has had terrible consequences for 
everything which this nation once held dear (without achieving any positive 
results) proves the Founders' wisdom.

We're all familiar with the term "The blind leading the blind." Well, by 
Congressman Taylor's own proud admission, it is the blind majority, and not 
the Constitution, which guides his decisions.

Wayne L. Parker

  Perkinston Libertarian candidate 4th Congressional District 
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