Our National Rule Book
February 1999

When was the last time each of us read the Constitution? Over and over again, we hear the "scholars," media, correspondents, and other so called "experts," tell us what the Constitution says or means. Continually, many of us just let these spin-masters say whatever they want without questioning them. We seem to believe anything these people say.

Sure, we may disagree with some of their conclusions, but we more often than not agree with their initial "facts." Why do we not take it upon ourselves to find out the truth? Why do we not search out the facts? Are we really that busy?

When was the last time you read the Constitution? It is not a huge document. It is not something that only a government official or Judge can look at. Everyone can read it AND understand it.

An umpire or referee reads their rule book to make sure they know how to officiate correctly. The players read the rule book to make sure they will not be penalized for disobeying the rules. The coaches read the rule book to make sure they are not teaching their players incorrectly. The same should be said about our Constitution.

Our Constitution is our Rule Book. We seem to have forgotten the rules; and now, no one knows how to play. It makes the game boring and worthless. Fewer people want to play the game when rules are not obeyed.

I suggest we go over a few points of emphasis in our "National Rule Book," better known as the United States Constitution.

The first rule in our "National Rule Book" is Article 2, Section 4. This is basically the only part of the Constitution people have mentioned in the entire Impeachment debate. It reads, "The President, Vice-President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on Impeachment for and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

We find our second point of emphasis in Article 1, Section 2, and Paragraph 6. It reads, "The House of Representatives . . . shall have sole Power of Impeachment."

Our third point of emphasis is found in Article 1, Section 3, and Paragraph 6. It reads, "The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments." This rule continues into Paragraph 7. Unfortunately many only read Paragraph 6. Paragraph 7 reads, "Judgement in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust, or Profit under the United States: but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgement, and Punishment, according to the Law."

These first three points of emphasis in our "National Rule Book" are, for the most part, believed and obeyed. But our fourth and final point is not!

Our fourth point of emphasis is Amendment 10, part of the Bill of Rights added to our Constitution when it was being ratified at the beginning of our country's history. This most important rule in our "National Rule Book" reads, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

Everything looks pretty clear to me! President Clinton was Impeached by the House. The Senate is the only group that can Try the President for Impeachment. And most importantly, the Senate is not allowed to censure, issue a "finding of facts," or (most importantly) vote "no" just because they do not think his actions were impeachable. That is a power of the House. Only the House can decide if he is to be impeached.

All the Senate can do is decide if the Impeachment articles are true. Did the President lie under oath? Did the President obstruct justice? If so, then they must vote "yes." If two thirds believe he committed those acts then he must be removed from office.

Ultimately, if one is to Censure the President or do anything else , only the States or People are permitted to do such things. Well, when was the last time you read the Constitution? You might want to look it up and read it one more time!