| James Madison once remarked, "with respect to | | | | Thune of South Dakota under what authority of |
| the two words 'general welfare,' I have always | | | | Article I, Section 8 he sought fit to secure over |
| regarded them as qualified by the detail of | | | | two million dollars in federal loans for the Dakota, |
| powers connected with them. To take them in a | | | | Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad because they |
| literal and unlimited sense would be a | | | | weren't making enough money on their own to |
| metamorphosis of the Constitution into a | | | | pay for improvements and expansions? |
| character which there is a host of proofs was not | | | | Oh, but let's not forget Democrat Senator Robert |
| contemplated by its creators." In writing that | | | | Byrd who, if the truth be known, has more than |
| letter to James Robertson, he reiterated the | | | | his share of buildings in the state of West Virginia |
| sentiments he shared with the nation in Federalist | | | | named after him because of all the money he has |
| 41 where he denounced objections by the | | | | brought back to help build them. Not to mention |
| anti-Federalists to the term "general Welfare" | | | | that he has secured money for such |
| being included in the Constitution because of it's | | | | unconstitutional projects like the "the Wood |
| presumption of an unlimited and open ended | | | | Education and Resource Center". $2.7 million of our |
| scope as without "color". | | | | tax dollars went to that to teach you and I about |
| The fear of federally elected politicians being able | | | | wood. |
| to curry favor with their constituents by bringing | | | | Thank God for government! I do not know how I |
| home the bacon in the sense of tax dollars was | | | | would have learned anything about wood without |
| why under the Constitution our government was | | | | this great organization! Honestly, the average |
| given only limited powers to tax and spend. The | | | | American probably knows more about wood than |
| founders knew that what have become known | | | | anyone at that ridiculous place though. And those |
| as "earmarks" would not serve this nation well | | | | that have taken this money are no doubt busy |
| and would corrupt the intent of limited | | | | studying the contents of Mr. Byrd's head |
| government. | | | | apparently; a perfect specimen of wood. |
| Why did Madison and the vast majority of | | | | And while we're in West Virginia, let's not forget |
| Federalists say that the "general Welfare" clause | | | | about Byrd's partner in crime, Representative |
| was limited to the set conditions that followed? | | | | Allan Mollohan, who funneled $250 million dollars to |
| So that leaders of our government couldn't buy | | | | non-profits which he himself set up. Conflict of |
| votes! | | | | interest? |
| Over the years since however we have basically | | | | Or what about John Murtha? Ah yes, good old |
| amended the Constitution through court orders | | | | John ... the man has more money going to his |
| and legislation (neither of which are means by | | | | district, which includes Johnstown, PA for |
| which such action can be achieved mind you) to | | | | "defense" projects that it is amazing there aren't |
| say to heck with all that nonsense! And we see | | | | aircraft carriers sitting in Laurel Ridge State Park! |
| where it is now getting us. "General Welfare" has | | | | And all the while, the people who these |
| come to mean anything and everything some | | | | Congressmen represent as well as those of |
| politico in Washington can dream up. | | | | countless others with their hands in the proverbial |
| What do we have today? We have Republican | | | | "cookie jar" cheer. "What great things they are |
| Congressmen from Alaska like Senator Ted | | | | doing for our region!" they cry as they fawn over |
| Stevens and Representative Don Young that are | | | | the money. And they empower our elected |
| kings of pork barrel spending and who year after | | | | officials to continue to push for these monies |
| year take money home to their state for pet | | | | year after year. And year after year we spend |
| projects such as the affectionately called "bridge | | | | more and more on these earmarks at huge cost |
| to nowhere" among many, many others. | | | | to the tax payers. |
| We have people like Rep. Sam Farr, Democrat, | | | | But that's ok right? Because the evil "rich" pay |
| CA who pushed for $25 million to benefit spinach | | | | those taxes. And we know they are not paying |
| growers to be added to an "emergency" | | | | their "fair share" right? And then we wonder why |
| supplemental spending bill. Must be some spinach | | | | we are paying so much more for the goods and |
| "emergency" we are not aware of! | | | | services we buy as these costs are passed on to |
| Then there is House Agriculture Committee | | | | us. |
| Chairman Collin Peterson, Democrat, Minnesota | | | | Meanwhile? These politicians are laughing all the |
| who continues to send taxpayer dollars each year | | | | way to the bank. Because they know you will |
| to mega-farms and giving 50% of the money for | | | | keep voting for them as long as they bring home |
| unconstitutional subsidies to just 4% of America's | | | | the pork and train you to salivate on cue. Yes, |
| farmers. | | | | they've got us right where they want us. |
| Perhaps we should ask Republican Senator John | | | | |