Author: Paul Engel
Like many of you, I am a product of the public schools. Like many of you I thought the Constitution was for lawyers and judges. One day I read the Constitution, and was surprised to find I didn't need a law degree to understand it. Then I read the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers and even the Anti-Federalist Papers. As I learned more and more about our founding fathers and documents I saw how little we know about how our country was designed to work and how many people just didn't care. I started The Constitution Study to help those who also want read and study our Constitution.
Does the U.S. Constitution Apply to the States?
I recently heard, yet again, that the U.S. Constitution only applies to the federal government and not to the states, and that each state has it’s own Constitution it must follow. And that got me thinking: What does the Constitution say about that?
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Better to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool?
The case against the American Constitution by Ryan Cooper As I read this article all I could think was “better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and prove it.” The one thing this article does prove is Ryan Cooper’s utter ignorance about what the Constitution actually…
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Senate Republicans pass tax bill and why it proves we don’t know our Constitution
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/362878-live-coverage-senate-holds-tax-reform-vote-a-rama For the last few weeks the media has been in a frenzy discussing the proposed tax reform bill moving its way through Congress. The Senate has worked long days lasting late into the next morning to pass a bill which should be, if we had even a basic understanding of our Constitution, a complete…
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How Long is a Federal Judge’s Term?
Every time there’s a new Supreme Court vacancy we hear talk about judges having a lifetime appointment. But is that what the Constitution says? In short: No. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, So, if federal judges hold office during good behavior, who defines “good…
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Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017
Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 I’ve seen quite a debate, especially amongst the “firearms crowd”, regarding the “Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017”, or as it’s commonly called, “National Reciprocity”. As a firearm owner with a concealed carry permit who frequently travels between states, I find this whole situation quite vexing. It’s bad enough…
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Do we have three co-equal branches of government?
As long as I can remember, I’ve been told we have three co-equal branches of government in Washington. Since I was taught it in government-run schools, I’ve heard it espoused from journalists, politicians, and just about everyone else when the topic comes up. But is that true?
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How can you tell when a politician is lying?
I’m sure you’ve all heard the joke, “How can you tell when a politician is lying?” The answer, of course, is: “When their lips are moving!” While this is a sad commentary on the state of politics in the 21st century, it’s an even sadder commentary on the state of our society! What does it…
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Can a state ban travel to another state?
There’s been a fair amount of talk lately about states banning travel to other states because of their laws, which states like New York and California deem discriminatory. I’m not here to discuss whether these travel bans are wise or legal in their own states, but whether they are constitutional. The key fact often overlooked…
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