Issue Position: Defend the Constitution

Issue Position

Abraham Lincoln observed that the United States is a nation that was "conceived in liberty." The Founding Fathers dedicated the American Revolution to the self-evident truths that "all men are created equal" and "that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The purpose of government, they believed, was "to secure these rights." The Constitution they framed was the means through which the inalienable rights of the people would be protected.
The oath of office taken by incoming members of Congress imposes upon them one overriding duty: to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. This duty is preeminent because the degradation of our constitutional system will lead to the erosion of our liberty. As Thomas Jefferson remarked, "our peculiar security is in the possession of a written Constitution." This duty is also significant to Ron as a veteran because the oath for a military officer centers on the defense of the Constitution, signifying that our armed forces are fighting not only for a piece of land or their fellow citizens but also for a particular way of life as reflected in our founding documents.
The duty to support and defend the Constitution means that a member of Congress should reject legislation that violates it. A bill must be authorized by an affirmative source of legislative authority (such as the enumerated powers listed in Article I, Section 8) and cannot conflict with any existing constitutional provision (such as the Bill of Rights). The duty to support and defend the Constitution also means that Congress needs to defend its constitutional prerogatives from encroachment by the other branches of government. The Founders feared the consolidation of power in one branch of government would lead to erosion of individual liberty. Re-establishing and maintaining the constitutional system of checks and balances are absolutely necessary to ensure the protection and preservation of individual freedom.

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