Are liberals aware that the constitution....?

Question

...does NOT give the federal government the power to enact healthcare, welfare, medicaid, social security, etc programs?

Or do they just forget to read it all together?

Does the phrase
all rights nor enumerated are those of the state" not mean anything to liberals?I see that many do not understand this from some of these answers.

Answer 1

Actually the purpose of the constitution was to limit government involvement. It is the individual States responsibility to take care of their citizens. It empowered congress to make laws providing for the general welfare of the citizens, but not the power to interfere with the states conduct of their own government. That is why the south still maintains the Civil War was over "States rights" and not about Slavery.

Answer 2

It doesn't? How about corporate welfare? Foreign aid? Health care to other countries? Does it give them the power to let the elderly die? Kids go hungry? Do you think the constitution, when written, took into consideration what was going to be reality in 200 years? No more than we know how the laws we enact now will effect people in the next 200 years.

Answer 3

certainly, it would not. The shape if accompanied prevents the formation of a tyrannical government. Says no longer something approximately over throwing the U. S. government if it receives uncontrolled and takes the individuals out of government.

Answer 4

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Answer 5

That is exactly what the constitution enpowered the federal government to do, promote the general welfare.

Answer 6

Good debate here and I can see it either way.

I'd just like to add a document for catwoman's perusal:

Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Day Proclamation:

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our sasety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

http://forum.isi.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3830054552/m/6780060092

Answer 7

Yes it does. It says "The Congress shall have Power To ....provide for the...general Welfare of the United States"

Those programs would fall into that category.

EDIT:
For Wider Scope's perusal:

"Feb. 1. Dr. Rush tells me that he had it from Asa Green that when the clergy addressed General Washington on his departure from the Government, it was observed in their consultation that he had never on any occasion said a word to the public which showed a belief in the Christian religion and they thought they should so pen their address as to force him at length to declare publicly whether he was a Christian or not. They did so. However, he observed, the old fox was too cunning for them. He answered every article in their address particularly except that, which he passed over without notice. Rush observes he never did say a word on the subject in any of his public papers except in his valedictory address to the governors of the States when he resigned his commission in the army, wherein he speaks of the benign influence of the Christian religion.

"I know that Gouverneur Morris, who pretended to be in his secrets and believed himself to be so, has often told me that General Washington believed no more in the system (Christianity) than he did." (The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 1, p. 284.)

Answer 8

ALL powers not specifically designated to the Fed is the State's. From a liberal (socialist) perspective, any power in local control is bad. The population needs to be controlled, by whatever means possible.

Answer 9

True...it's important to read any document before you discuss it. When the constitution was written, those programs weren't around. Just like conservatives need to understand that this country was NOT founded as a christian nation. Thomas Jefferson, one of the writers of our declaration of independence, believed in a "god of nature" not a fundamentalist christian god. Good question....i look forward to the responses.

Answer 10

Yes, I knew that. It also does not give them authority to prohibit sale of alcohol but, that was actually written into and then out of the Bill of Rights. The Constitution is a living document. The less interpretation the better but, to take it merely at face value is ignoring one's surroundings, in my opinion at least.

The Patriot Act is also not supported by The Constitution and follows with my earlier premise that there should be minimal interpretation.