Re: DOES THE 9th AMENDMENT PROTECT RESPONSIBLE REC DRUG USE?

Manny Davis wrote:
> 
> brian bennett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > no individual citizen has the *right* to void the self-directed free
> > choices of another -- thus there can be no *power* collectively
> > granted to the government to do so.
> 
> And since no individual has the right to tax another individual, there
> can be no power collectively granted to government to do so.

the power to levy and collect taxes is enumerated, and the 16th amendment
records the fact that the citizens did indeed collectively agree that the power
should be given to the government to collect income taxes.

whether or not they had the right to do so may drive an effort to overturn the
16th, but until that is done we are stuck with government taxation.  don't like
it? change it.

> >  likewise, no individual citizen
> > has the power to *punish* anothers' self-directed choices, thus they
> > subsequently cannot collectively grant such a power to the government
> 
> And since no individual has the "right to rule" over another person,
> there can be no power collectively granted to the group of people called
> the state.

collectively it was agreed that someone needed to be "in charge" -- that was
accomplished through the efforts of the citizens.  you do indeed possess the
"right" of self-governance, so a power to collectively govern can be granted.

the "right" to govern does not exist -- only the power to do so has been
granted. you do understand the difference do you not?

 
> > -- unless the constitution is amended to grant such power to the
> > government of course.  the framers left instructions on how to go
> > about changing the constituion in Article V.
> 
> The fact that the constitution can be amended (by government X) to grant
> any power whatsoever (to government X) demolishes the pretense of a
> constitution that limits government X's power.
> 
> Master: My power over you is limited by this contract.
> 
> Slave: But can you change the contract?
> 
> Master: Yes, I can change the terms of the contract whenever I wish.
> 
> Slave: That doesn't seem fair.
> 
> Master: It seems fair to me.
> 
> Slave: What if we have a dispute over the details of the contract?
> 
> Master: Then I decide which one of us is right.
> 
> Slave: Thank goodness I have this contract to limit your power
> over me. For a minute there I thought I was in trouble.

if you believe the constitution enslaves you, then by all means do something
about it.  i believe the constitution is our collective agreement to treat each
other as equals and to create the institutions among us that ensures it remains
so.  it is not our form of government which is problematic, it is the failure of
the citizens to fulfill their duties which has brought us to our current state
of affairs.

b
-- 
citizen, patriot, stoner

Marijuana: it's nowhere near as scary as they want you to think.

visit truth: the Anti-drugwar at http://www.briancbennett.com 

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