Re: OT: Politics [Was:Social Contract]

[Matthias Julius <lists@julius-net.net>]

"Roberto C. Sanchez" <roberto@familiasanchez.net> writes:

> As far as civic buildings and courts, it's obvious that you are either
> just being argumentative or simply do not understand the role of
> government.  Civic buildings and courts (and roads and traffic signage,
> for that matter) directly support the dailiy functioning of the
> government.  In the US at least, things like courts and other government
> functions are enumerated in the constitution.  Those include things like
> the military, treasury, and so on.  There is not a single word in the
> constitution about the government providing public education.  You know
> why?  It's not the government's job.  Why do you refuse to see that?

The U.S. Constitution does not list all 'jobs' of the government.  It
does not say the government is to build roads (except Post Roads).  It
does not mention the building of levees or similar structures,
supporting hurricane victims or even bringing humanitarian aid to
people in foreign countries.  There are certainly many other things
the U.S. government does and uses tax money for that are not
explicitely mentioned in the constitution.

To cite the U.S. Constitution
(from http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html):
,----
| Section 8 - Powers of Congress
| 
| 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;
`----

The glossary for Welfare says
(http://www.usconstitution.net/glossary.html#WELFARE):
,----
| Welfare
|
| welfare n. 1. health, happiness, or prosperity; well-being. [<ME wel
| faren, to fare well] Source: AHD
`----

I would put education into that category.  It is a necessity for
prosperity.

To summarize: The congress has the power to collect taxes for
education.  IMHO

Matthias