Year: 2023

362 – The Militia Acts

Someone reached out on the website with an interesting question. They wanted my take on the Militia Acts of 1793 & 1903 and the National Defense Act of 1916. Specifically, he wanted to know about the constitutionality of the militia system within the United States, so I took a look. What I found was interesting, but maybe not what some people would have expected.

361 – Teach The Rising Generation to be Free!

You’ve probably noticed, I frequently use this quote from John Jay;

“Every member of the State ought diligently to read and to study the constitution of his country, and teach the rising generation to be free. By knowing their rights, they will sooner perceive when they are violated, and be the better prepared to defend and assert them.”

– John Jay, First Chief Justice of the United States”\

This quote is the foundational idea behind The Constitution Study. I’ve realized that I’ve spent a fair amount of space here on the topic of reading the Constitution, and about studying it, but not nearly enough teach it. Sure, I mention how important teaching the Constitution is, and I’ve put on sessions and events across this country where I teach the Constitution, but how much time and effort have I put into teaching people to be free? Today, I rectify that oversight, as this entire article will be about teaching, not just the rising generation, but all generations to be FREE!

360 – One State Makes a Plan for Nullification

I talk quite a bit about the limitations of the federal government and the need for the states to reassert their power to control their creation. The number of federal agencies that do not legally exist, the fact the the supreme court does not issue rulings but offers opinions, and we can’t forget about the fact that the states created the federal government, not the other way around, all point to a dangerous and illegal centralization of power in the federal government. So you can probably imagine my elation to find legislation proposed in my adopted home state that codifies the state doing exactly what I said all of the states need to do, regain control of their creation in Washington, D.C. So let’s take a look at this legislation, see what lessons we can learn from it, and maybe push our representatives in other states to join in this march toward liberty.

359 – Parents’ Bill of Rights

I am loath to use the term “Bill of Rights” lightly, for two very good reasons. First, the over use of any term tends to diminish it’s value. Second, just because something claims to be a “Bill of Rights” doesn’t mean it actually is one. The bill may be very good, but that doesn’t mean it truly is a Bill of Rights.

I believe a recent bill filled in the North Carolina legislature gives up an excellent opportunity to test this hypothesis. Would Senate Bill 49 actually create a Parent’s Bill of Rights, or is this just another example of over promising and under delivering?

358 – The Sovereign Citizen Movement

Over the past few weeks I’ve been asked several questions about the “Sovereign Citizen Movement”. What is a “sovereign citizen” or a “national citizen”? What do those in the sovereign citizen movement” believe, what is their belief based on, and does the evidence support their assumptions? What are the consequences of following the recommendations from the movement? I thought it was time to not only dive into the facts of this movement, but to bring my findings to everyone here at The Constitution Study.

‘Constitution scholar’ urges ‘do right thing’

With President’s Day Monday, many groups are taking a look at America’s history, acknowledging the good, bad, and ugly of where the country was then and where it is today.  That was the discussion at Monday night’s Bedford County Republican Party meeting, which hosted Paul Engel as their guest speaker.  A self-proclaimed “Constitution scholar,” Engel…

357 – Municipal Theft

We’re all familiar with the fact that our property is taxed. And if you don’t pay your taxes, it’s going to cost you. But how far can a city, town, or any government agency go to collect your taxes?

In 2014, after several personal and business issued, Alan DiPietro purchased some property straddling Stow and Bolton, MA for the purpose of raising alpacas. What ensued was several years of battle between Mr. DiPietro and the town of Bolton over his use of his own land. While what was described in Mr. DiPietro’s law suit was pretty terrible, I want to focus on the foreclosure of the property.

356 – Constitutionality of Cabinet Level Departments

A couple of weeks ago someone claiming to be my “#1 Fan”, at least that’s the name they used, asked an interesting question. “Any chance you could make a YouTube video going through each major executive federal agency or department and discuss which is actually Constitutional under Article 1 Section 8?” That’s a good question, so there’s not only a very good chance I will write the article, but here it is.