I stand by my argument that the rights not enumerated in the Constitution were intended to be reserved to the people and states. The founders feared a strong central government, king, president, congress or court. That was their desire when they created the branches of government and the states. Each to check the other. Now if you question the power grabs by the federal government you are suspect. Washington feared the very institutions (political parties) that are destroying the nation. Madison was one of the proponents of the Bill of Rights, in fact there were more; through compromise the "first 10" were agreed upon and ratified by the states (again the rights of the states to change the Constitution). National Defense is an enumerated Federal power so the Congress could enact measures to protect the sovereignty of the nation. No where in the constitution is their any indication of a right of the Federal government to create a Department of Education ( a total waste and fraud ). It was not an issue and education was established with local standards for local needs. The education system created since the Department of Education was created has been a disaster. Washington, D.C. now spends over $15.000 per student with a student to teacher ratio of 1 to 15. They have the worst education system in the nation. A better education was had in the 1950's and 60's when teacher/pupil ration and cost per student was lower. We have created the perfect storm in by creating what Jefferson feared. "A free nation can not remain ignorant and free." The rights of the states to carry on the functions of the states and the rights of the people have been abused by the Federal system; first in the late 1860 and 1870's, massively during WWI when Wilson introduced Socialism into the nation, again with FDR and his desire to emulate what Wilson did (internment camps for Japanese Americans to boot) and then the Great Society of LBJ. The nation has become weaker with each of these power grabs for the federal government. The founders concept of only those who had a vested interest in the Republic voting made perfect sense. Today nearly half the body politic has no vested interest. They are takers not givers. They do not add to the strength of the nation, they now strangle the "goose that laid the golden egg" I know the distinguished professor will disagree and that is his right. I will remain faith full to the Constitution as written. No need to argue since he can not refute my interpretation and I can not change his view. We shall agree to disagree. Carl M. Dozier, LTC, AUS, Ret GOLD STAR FATHER Proud father of SSG Jonathan Kilian Dozier KIA Sinsil, Iraq 01-09-08... Hammer Company (Scouts) 3rd Squadron/2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment "SCOUTS OUT!" 816 Weatherby Court Chesapeake, Virginia 23322-3481 "Illegitimus non Carborundum" "Life is tough...it's tougher if you're stupid." John Wayne ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html