Questions & Answers

In the Category: Powers of Congress

#POW119 Ought the people complain of having to pay taxes? People ought to complain when taxes are unjust. However, if the benefits of taxation are distributed through the function of government to all classes of people equally, and all people are equal benef...
#POW120 What are the benefits of taxation? The benefits of taxation include a government that can afford to defend its citizens against invasions of foreign armies, mint currency, execute laws, provide certain necessary infrastructure, punish...
#POW121 May one part of the United States be required to pay at a greater rate than the rest? No; all duties, imposts, and excises must be uniform throughout all of the United States.
#POW122 What other power does Congress have aside from the levying of taxes? Congress has the power to borrow money on the credit of the United States.
#POW123 What other power does Congress possess? It may make rules according to which the commerce of the citizens of the United States with other nations shall be carried out; also, it can make rules regarding the commerce of one state with another...
#POW124 What is an example of an instance in which the Interstate Commerce Clause is used? The Interstate Commerce Clause gives the Federal Government the power to make laws regarding the use of roadways or navigable waterways that extend from one state into the next.
#POW125 What is an example of an instance in which the Interstate Commerce Clause has been abused? The Interstate Commerce Clause regulates trade between the states, and not the people of those states. Whereas roadways, navigable waterways or other publicly-owned properties may be under the purview...
#POW126 What is another power given to Congress by the Constitution? Admitting a foreigner to become a citizen of the United States is the power of Congress, which can make one uniform rule that shall be followed throughout the country.
#POW127 What else may Congress do? Congress may mint money, meaning that it shall mark or stamp certain pieces of metal or paper in such a way as it shall make them legal tender at a set monetary value. It may also set one uniform size...
#POW128 May any persons who pleases mint money? No, only the Congress may mint money that is to be considered mandatory legal currency. While states or individuals may maintain precious metals which may be traded or bartered like any other good, on...
#POW129 May Congress outsource control over currency to any other body? No. The Constitution does not allow Congress to outsource the control of currency to any other body.
#POW130 Are private banks, like that of the Federal Reserve, to be allowed to set monetary policy or print currency? No. Only Congress may set monetary policy and print currency according to the Constitution. To allow this privilege to other bodies, is a dereliction of their duty and places the liberty of the citize...
#POW131 What other power belongs to Congress? Congress may establish a postal service or office, locations and instruments for the carrying out of those services and also roads upon which those services may be carried out.
#POW132 What is the post office? An organization with the resources for the gathering and delivery of letters and packages from one citizen or business to anothe, as a service provided by the government to its citizens.
#POW133 Does congress protect the personal ideas and inventions of the citizens? Yes, it may grant patents and copyrights.
#POW134 What are patents and copyrights? When a person has composed or invented something new and useful, Congress may give them an exclusive right to produce and sell their composition or invention for a certain number of years; during whic...
#POW135 Can Congress erect courts or direct judges? Yes, Congress may appoint as many courts as it deems necessary for the answering of questions and cases relating to matters particularly pertaining to the federal government, or rights acknowledged by...
#POW136 Has congress the power to declare war? Yes, it is congress that holds this most solemn and weighty power, that being the declaration of war between the United States and any other foreign power.
#POW137 When Congress has declared the United States to be at war with any particular nation, can any of the citizens of the United States remain at peace with that nation. Citizens cannot be forced to violate their conscience. However, citizens can be obliged under the threat of force to not provide aid or assistance to enemies of the United States, especially during wa...
#POW138 When the United States has a grievance against another nation, and yet does not wish to go to war with that nation, is there any other measure Congress may take to compel that nation to do them justice? Yes. Congress may issue diplomatic or economic sanctions or punishments upon them.
#POW139 When Congress declares war, may it raise and equip armies and hire soldiers? Congress may pay, equip, clothe, feed and transport soldiers at the public expense.
#POW140 May Congress make a law, setting apart money enough at one time, to pay and support an army for more than two years? No, lest a wicked Congress, by keeping a standing army, remain in power beyond the time for which they were elected, and so destroy the liberty of their country.
#POW141 Why was the time limited to two years? Because every two years a new Congress may be chosen.
#POW142 Does the Congress have the right to raise and support the army only? No, Congress may raise and support any branch of the armed services.
#POW143 Has the United States no other defense than to depend upon hired soldiers? The country may also have militias raised up among the people to defend the nation.
#POW144 What is a militia? A militia is a group of armed citizens, who are not within the United States military, but who have chosen to bear arms to protect themselves or others.
#POW145 Does a militia only exist in order to protect the nation against foreign powers? No, a militia may protect the nation against unrest, injustice, or a tyrannical domestic government.
#POW146 May Congress command the militia? The Congress may command the militia, upon the agreement of the militia. A free nation requires a militia that is not beholden to a government that may be or become corrupt.
#POW147 Must a militia be an organized para-military unit? No, a militia is any number of citizens that are armed and willing to protect the nation. It does not have to be structured like the United States military.
#POW148 How does Congress see to the location and logistics of it's own business? The Congress may enact all laws relating to a geographical location where it's members meet to conduct the business of state and which is also the seat of federal government. Currently, this is Washin...

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