More Republican constitutional bupkis

The US constitution seems very clear that taxes should be used to benefit the United States: pay the debts; provide for the common defence and the general welfare. But it’s never that clear: whose debts? which defence? what welfare?

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
— Article I (Section 8), US Constitution, 1787

Almost as soon as the constitution was confirmed there were arguments about debts from the war years, and what debts should be honoured. Taxes were used to pay for an invasion of Canada in the War of 1812, a war that was opposed by states near the Canada border who did not see it as part of any common defence. There was comparatively little discussion of the general welfare.

Blasphemy in veneration

I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.
— Susan B. Anthony, Bible Resolution speech, National American Woman Suffrage Association, 23-28 January 1896.

I was astounded to find a silly assertion that “the Constitution of the United States, the greatest political document ever written” was actually a religious tract, because “That sacred document shows us the path forward” (“We Believe in America”, Republican Platform 2012). It is perfectly acceptable to venerate those who were there at the founding of USA, and those helping frame the constitution, without turning them into saints.