The Constitution And The Welfare Clause

In teaching the Constitution one needs to keep in mind that the meaning of words have changed from the time of our Founding fathers to the Present. Below is a link to Webster’s dictionary in 1913 and 1828. One can compare that with a modern version. http://machaut.uchicago.edu/Websters

Note: Feel free to use the free online version provided.  However I have been asked to make available a hard-copy of Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language: Compact Edition

For example: The word “welfare” is used in the Preamble of the Constitution and in two other places as well.  The 1828 edition of the word is: “2. Exemption from any unusual evil or calamity, the enjoyment of peace and prosperity, or the ordinary blessings of society and civil government; applied to states.” In today’s Webster’s edition “welfare is defined as “receiving government aid because of poverty, etc.

Thomas Jefferson stated, ” Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated” (article I Section 8).

It is interesting to type in words like democracy and republic  into the online dictionary linked above to see how much those words have been changed from the time of our Founding Fathers. It is very surprising (see video below).

V. Copy of the Constitution online. http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

Read more in this article “Teaching The Constitution”

Note: Few people know that in 1937 the Supreme Court ruled against the original intent of the Welfare Clause:  Learn about that ruling here.  But, contrary to popular belief, the Supreme Court does not have the power to change the meaning of the  Constitution.

We have been educated to believe that the Supreme Court is the “Keeper of the Constitution”. However Supreme Court Justice Story warned, “our cherished freedoms and Constitutional government might perish in an hour, by the folly, or corruption, or negligence of its only keepers, THE PEOPLE. if the people did not trouble to learn the history, purpose, and meaning of their own Constitution.”

To Learn more about unconstitutional laws click here.

 

 

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About Roma Cox

Education has always been my passion, and I am blessed beyond measure to be allowed to serve in this way. We offer many educational products and school supplies, information, workshops, news letters, tutoring services, volunteer work, and free consultations. Roma can be reached at (904)317-5330 from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST-U.S.
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