Happy Independence Day

As many of you know, every Fourth of July I read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Every year I'm reminded of the wisdom and foresight that went into them. Here are a few random tidbits from this year's reading:

  • The founders saw the legislature as more primary than we do today. The Congress is introduced before the President, and when a decision has to be made by the States, the Constitution gives the power to the State legislatures first.
  • A majority of each House of Congress constitutes a quorum.
  • Patents and copyright are granted for "limited Times" "To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts."
  • The President's power to grant pardons does not extend to impeachment.
  • "No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court."
  • D.C.'s number of electoral votes cannot be more than that of the least populous State. (I'm not sure about the wisdom of this one.)

Happy Fourth of July!

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