Posted by
David R. Lunden on Friday, June 29, 2012 2:32:36 PM
What is the first word in the United States Constitution?
It's not "we" as in "We the People." That's the first word in the preamble which introduces the Constitution. It's not "Article" as in Article 1. That's the outline form of the Constitution.
The first word is "All" not "except," not "unless," but "All." All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives." (Article 1 section 1)
The Constitution gives only Congress the power to legislate. The Executive and Judicial Branches are not given that power. Additionally, Congress does not have the power to give the Executive and Judicial Branches the power to legislate because of that first word "All."
Only one little word is used to separate the law making duties of government.
Chief justice Roberts following what John Marshall had done before, rewrote the healthcare law which, however slight, is legislating from the bench. The Chief Justice was out of line. He should have deferred to Congress.