Friday, January 9, 1998

Disregarded oaths

When the founders of this nation produced the U.S. Constitution, their clear purpose was to create a federal government with strictly limited powers. Their shared attitude was best expressed by Thomas Jefferson, who stated, "In questions of power, then, let no more be said of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution."

But the Constitution's chains have been broken. After reading the document, I find our leaders are ignoring it as if it didn't exist. For example:

-- Congress has the sole power to "regulate commerce with foreign nations." But nowhere was Congress given authority to delegate its power to NAFTA or to GATT/World Trade Organization. Delegation of authority is unconstitutional.

-- Overall, Congress is limited to making laws only where power to do so is "herein granted" within the Constitution. I searched the document from top to bottom, and I found no power "herein granted" for the federal government to make laws about education, agriculture, housing, energy, medicine, foreign aid, firearm ownership and a whole host of other areas where federal laws have been made.

Enormous power is being accumulated at the federal level. The increased taxation, oppressive controls, huge bureaucracy that have resulted are completely unconstitutional. Yet, all federal officials have sworn an oath to adhere to the document.

Oaths don't seem to mean much anymore.

BILLY LAWRENCE

Abilene

Economic sense

Joseph Spear's commendation of Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan (Opinion Page, Jan. 6) is the first piece of economic sense that I have ever seen in the Reporter-News.

Finally, a columnist has come up with the rationale and the courage to alienate both liberal and conservative populists who do not believe in modern economic theory and the proven benefits that it offers.

I, too, congratulate Greenspan and his efforts to maintain the strength of the American economy despite political pressures that might undermine the Fed's role in preserving growth and low inflation rates.

Greenspan's work proves the necessity of an independent Central Bank in order to prevent the ignorant masses from causing permanent, fundamental damage to our economy.

STEPHEN SIDES

Sherman

Via e-mail

Grateful for doctors

My husband was recently in Hendrick Hospital. He was very ill and passed away Dec. 17.

The staff on the 7th floor and in Critical Care are outstanding. You have many caring doctors also. I want to tell you about two of them.

Dr. Hirsch and Dr. Woodward are two of the finest doctors I have ever met. They went above and beyond in trying to save my husband. They also shed tears with us as well.

Thank God for these dedicated doctors! It will be doctors like these who care so much, try harder and cannot give up who will someday discover a cure for cancer.

BETTY FRIZZELL

Colorado City