A Constitution Project

What with the recent NSA revelations, and the efforts of the White House and some Republicans to portray these actions as legal, and indeed Constitutional, I've had an idea. Read on if you'd like to send a message to your Congresscritter

I've recently come into a fair amount of money, and I'd like to be able to use some of it to make a point. Some (most?) Republicans seem to be unclear on what the Constitution really says (strict constructionists seem to be, well, less "strict" these days), and most seem more interested in putting party above country than fulfilling their oaths of office.

I'd like to send every single member of congress a copy of the Constitution, with the parts that illustrate how the executive is out of control highlighted, or in bold. I'll pay for it, I just need suggestions as to how to go about it.

Thoughts?

•  Sounds like a good idea but...

  ...don't members of Congress already receive little "Constitution Cards".

  The problem isn't that they don't have a copy of the document, they don't read it. And if they do read it, they read it with their political slant in mind. We are talking about people who vote in support of bills that they haven't read, don't understand, and with no regard for the real world consequences.

  IMHO, the larger issue is how are you going to get elected officials to vote for what is best for the entire nation if their party dictates otherwise?

  by mtibb0910 on Sun Jan 08, 2006 at 02:34:40 PM PDT

  •  Constituents

    Members, or at least their staffs, usually (and in the case of staffers), always read what comes from contituents. If a large enough number of constituents contact them about any given issue, they pay attention.

    BTW, "large enough" is really quite small. Tens is usually large enough.
    

    by justinb on Sun Jan 08, 2006 at 02:43:26 PM PDT

  •  Re: the cards

    They don't read the cards 'cause they don't have to. Their voters don't even know about the cards, and the reps. know that they don't. If they get communication from their constiuents, they pay attention, even if the info is already on the cards.

    In any case, I'm talking about targeting a specific issue - executive power, and highlighting that, within the context of constituent contact. Don't you think that'd get some attention?

    by justinb on Sun Jan 08, 2006 at 02:45:34 PM PDT

•  Elementary, My Dear Watson

  535 of these is $9,624.65. I'll get them, highlight your chosen passages and mail them for $5 each, or $2,675.00, comes to $12,299.65.

  Bear in mind that mail takes at least weeks to get through security and into a Members office.

  by The Baculum King on Sun Jan 08, 2006 at 08:32:40 PM PDT

  •  Chosen passages

    Sounds fine - I'd like some imput on the appropriate passages to highlight, though.
    

    by justinb on Mon Jan 09, 2006 at 09:57:07 AM PDT

    •  A Couple of My Favorites

      he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed

      and

      Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:

      "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

      and

      All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

      and

      To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

      and

      This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land

      by The Baculum King on Mon Jan 09, 2006 at 11:32:56 AM PDT