Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

In Federalist 30, published in 1787, Alexander Hamilton explains the separation of powers as the executive branch having the power of the sword and the legislative branch having the power of the purse.  A functioning government needs to be able to enforce law and wage but also has to be able to raise and spend appropriate money.  This creates an incredibly effective check on both of those branches as one cannot function without the other.  To dive further into this special governmental check we are pleased to welcome back last week’s guest Dr. Jon Schaff, Professor of...

Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

Article II, Section II of the United States Constitution grants numerous powers to the presidency. However, Clause II dictates the President must have the advice and consent of the United States Senate in order to exercise these powers.  What does this mean and what is the nomination and confirmation process between these two branches of government?  When specifically must the President consult with the Senate on nominations?  For whom in the executive branch does this apply and for whom does it not?  To shed light on this very important power, we are pleased to welcome Dr....

Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

The United States Constitution is efficient in its division of power between the three branches of government.  Articles I, II and III create the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches, respectively.  Within Article II, Section II gives the President certain powers to function as our chief diplomat with other countries.  Just what are these powers?  What is the check on this power from the other branches?  What is a treaty, and what is the difference between treaties and executive orders?  To guide our discussion on Article II, Section II, Clause II we are...

Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

The Founders knew what they did not want our new government to be.  Thomas Jefferson so eloquently made the argument to break away from one form while laying the groundwork for our next form of government.  Then James Madison completed that groundwork in the text of Constitution.  What do we mean by this?  The Declaration spoke of unalienable rights, and declared the purpose of government instituted by man is to secure these rights.  The Constitution then completes those thoughts by limiting the power any one person or branch of government can have by instituting...

Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

Why do we consider the founding of this country to be such a momentous event that changed the trajectory of world history?  Think about this: governments had risen and fallen from power for millennia before our country’s birth.  What was the one big idea that made our founding so unique and its effects long-lasting?  To answer this lofty question, we are thrilled to have a leading American scholar as our guest today.  Dr. Samuel Postell is Assistant Director of the Lyceum Scholars Program at Clemson University and will expand upon the origins of checks and balances in our...

Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

We know checks and balances between the branches of federal government is a hallmark of our republic.  But have you considered the checks and balances the Founders crafted into the design of Congress itself, with the House and Senate splitting legislative power?  Why did the founders build in checks to prevent too much power residing within one chamber of our bi-cameral legislature and how did they accomplish this objective?  To answer these questions and so many more, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Matthew Green as our special guest this week.  Dr. Green is a prolific...

Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

Did you know the United States Army is older than the United States?  The Army has its origins in 1775 at a time when the colonists had a distrust of a standing permanent army like the British employed in the colonies.  As such, it was a not a permanent army.  The War of 1812 showed our country the need for a permanent national army. In the ensuing years, the United States Army has fought a Civil War, two World Wars and protected American interests around the world.  To share further history and the impact of our Army, we are honored to have a very distinguished...

Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

Did you know the United States Army is older than the United States?  The Army has its origins in 1775 at a time when the colonists had a distrust of a standing permanent army like the British employed in the colonies.  As such, it was a not a permanent army.  The War of 1812 showed our country the need for a permanent national army. In the ensuing years, the United States Army has fought a Civil War, two World Wars and protected American interests around the world.  To share further history and the impact of our Army, we are honored to have a very distinguished...

Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

Thomas Jefferson cemented his legacy as an incredible orator and writer when he wrote the Declaration of Independence, almost 250 years ago. His soaring rhetoric drew inspiration from multiple government and historic traditions: from John Locke to the Magna Carta to the Enlightenment.  He used phrases and words that deserve special attention.  What did Jefferson mean when he talked about unalienable rights, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, self-evident truths, and the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God?  To shed important insight into this...

Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

Did you know the phrase “separation of church and state” does not appear in our Constitution?  The phrase was used by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802.  The First Amendment does guarantee “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”  What was the intent of the founders in codifying this in the Constitution?  Did they intend to keep religion out of government or rather government out of religion?  To help us answer these questions and so many...