The Constitution’s Article I, Section 7 defines the process by which the federal government passes laws. Section 7 opens with the Origination Clause which requires “Bills for raising Revenue” to originate in the House of Representatives. The second clause and third clauses are known as both the “Presentment Clause” and “Lawmaking Clause”. The Presentment Clause is […]
Donald Trump, Khizr Khan, the Constitution and Declaration of Independence
August 2, 2016 by
It is one thing to carry the Constitution in your pocket, or have a Constitution app on your smart phone. It is another thing to read it. It is yet another to study and understand the source of the Constitution’s philosophy, principles and purposes. While a pocket Constitution has become central to a presidential campaign […]
Tenth Amendment and Nursing Equals The Most Respected Profession
May 13, 2016 by
The United States Constitution has many 21st century impacts on our daily lives that are almost never thought about. At a time of growing federal regulation of our lives, there remain areas of life where the 10th Amendment, reserving power to the states is alive and well. The nursing profession is among them. Due to […]
Cápsulas Informativas Constitucionales Becomes #1 on Amazon
January 12, 2016 by
In a very short time, Cápsulas Informativas Constitucionales, the very first book in the Spanish language devoted to discussion and explanation of the found documents and principles of the United States has become a #1 Best Seller on Amazon. During a presidential election year the Constitution is a backdrop for every issue. With the increasing […]
Cápsulas Informativas Constitucionales (Constitutional Sound Bites) Now In Spanish
November 17, 2015 by
Attorney David J. Shestokas and author Dr. Berta Isabel Arias have released Cápsulas Informativas Constitucionales, now available on Amazon. This publication affords America’s Spanish speaking population an unprecedented opportunity to understand their freedoms, combining translations of America’s founding documents with an engaging discussion of historical context and contemporary application. Honoring a proud tradition, Cápsulas Informativas Constitucionales promotes understanding […]
Treason: The Only Crime Defined in the US Constitution
November 13, 2015 by
The commitment of America’s Founders to the rule of law appears in many elements of the Constitution. The fact that Treason is the only crime defined[1] in the Constitution is among those elements. Article III, Section 3 provides that: “Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering […]
Understanding the US Constitution’s Preamble
October 27, 2015 by
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” The Preamble has […]
Why There’s a Specific Presidential Oath of Office
October 19, 2015 by
The unspoken expectation of the Constitution’s writers in creating the office of the president was that a person they could trust, George Washington, would be the first president. The people who had fought a war to rid themselves of a king created a president with great authority. The power of the president is a result […]
Why the United States was Designed as a Republic
October 15, 2015 by
Ben Franklin famously replied when asked about the government that was created by the Constitution: “A republic, if you can keep it.” “Democracy ” Not In Any Founding Document The US is a Constitutional Republic, not a “democracy.” No American founding document, not the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, or the Constitution mentions […]
Constitutional Sound Bites: Information for Educators
Many states are either updating or passing new laws regarding civics education for their K-12 students. For example, Illinois’ new civics graduation requirement goes into effect for incoming 2016-17 high school freshman and South Carolina’s new law specifically requires study of America’s Founding Principles and Documents. The renewed interest in formally educating American students on […]