Putting the Lion Back in His Cage

[Keith Broaders]

The Constitution granted to the government of the United States a short list of enumerated powers. Any power not delegated to the central government was prohibited. Powers not granted to the government of the United States were reserved to the states and to the people.

The purpose of the founders was to bind down government officials with the chains of a Constitution. They created the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government to serve as checks and balances.

The framers of the Constitution knew power corrupts and if the people were not vigilant, the government they created to serve the people would one day enslave them.

In order to keep the government within its authorized limits, it is very important to have a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Those who wanted to unleash the power of the government invented the Doctrine of Implied Powers. They also sought to justify unconstitutional acts by declaring them Necessary and Proper.