Author: Paul Engel

Constitution Study: Tennessean Working to Preserve Freedom, Get Others Involved by Applying the Constitution to Modern-Day Issues

Most who live in the United States probably know that the Constitution created the basis of the country’s government, and many can perhaps quote a passage from the Bill of Rights or vaguely discuss the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government and their roles. But really, how familiar are most of us with the…

364 – Parental Notification and a Single Dissent

When should a parent be denied the right to know about the medical procedures performed on their children? Most of us have been rebellious teenagers, sure that our parents are out to get us, only to grow up and realize they were right. When does a teenagers right to liberty supersede the parent’s right to oversee their minor child’s upbringing? These are all questions in the case Doe v. Chapman which was decided in the Eighth Circuit in April, 2022. This decision was appealed to the Supreme Court, which decided the case in March of 2023 with a single justice dissenting. This case turns not only on the questions I’ve already posed, but the procedures of the court.

363 – Another Failure at the FDA?

With the failure to properly test the alleged COVID-19 vaccines, the FDA has lost a lot of trust in the people’s eyes. But this may not be the first time the FDA criminally approved a dangerous drug.

The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, along with others have filed suit against the Food and Drug Administration regarding its approval of the abortion drug Mifeprex. Their complaint claims that the FDA violated multiple federal laws and its own regulations when it first approved the drug, then again over the next three decades when it expanded its use.

This case has not been heard by a court yet, but I want to take some time and evaluate the specifics in the complaint to see if they pass constitutional muster. This will also give us a framework by which to evaluate the court’s decision when it is published.

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.