Constitutional-Literacy-22

=**Section 22: Is the National Debt Unconstitutional?**=

If our government confiscated 100% of the total assets of the 100 wealthiest Americans altogether, it would only bring $826.85 billion - our deficit this year alone is set to be over $1 trillion. If this wouldn't bring in the money needed, then obviously raising taxes on the wealthy won't even touch the yearly deficit let alone the whole debt. We're over $21 trillion in debt and that's not counting future obligations like Social Security and Medicare for all in America under the age of retirement - example if you go buy a car and they say no payments necessary for 6 months...you're still in debt for the full price of the car when you sign the papers even though you don't actually have to start paying for another 6 months.


 * Comprehension Question: Why is our actual debt in terms of future obligations actually much higher than what is listed as the debt?**

The government has increased the debt by the method explained like the purchasing of a car, but these debt numbers aren't seen in our national debt. We are in debt at least another tens of trillions of dollars on benefits earned, but not yet paid (Mr. Hill is paying in out of each paycheck - Social Security - and will have to be paid through retirement).

"If it is assumed that all legally promised benefits will be met in the future, then large payroll tax increases will be necessary. Thus, future generations would be forced to consume fewer goods and services because a larger part of their income would be taxed and transferred to Social Security recipients.” – Congressional Research Service 2010 Report

The Government Accountability Office released it's annual audit in January 2013 and said "...absent policy changes, the United States is on an unsustainable fiscal path."

The U.S. gives billions in foreign aid to nations like China, Mexico, and Egypt. These nations are rich enough to loan us money. Yet, we give money to these nations in foreign aid. The Congressional Research Service also said “The current consensus among economists is that the burden of the national debt is largely shifted forward to future generations. However, the burden imposed by the national debt does not arise from debt per se, but from budget deficits that gives rise to a national debt.”

So, what's happening? Politicians run on spending money for votes. Voters vote for them. Politicians spend the money of future generations to stay in office. It's immoral to push such spending debts on future generations. But, is it also unconstitutional?
 * In the Preamble, the last part says "to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity," which means that future generations are being saddled with debt that they did not create and are therefore enslaved rather than being given a legacy of liberty. Also, Article 4 guarantees a republic form of government to the states. The Declaration of Independence explains why we broke away from Britain including the line that says "for imposing taxes on us without our consent," which was taxation without representation. The spending of today is the debt of tomorrow, which will require major taxes with no choices to pay for spending that has long since occurred. This is taxation without representation. The Constitution's guarantee to a republic form of government means all laws should be passed according to representation.
 * George Washington spoke about debt. He said “No pecuniary consideration is more urgent than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt; on none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable. Indeed, whatsoever is unfinished of our system of public credit cannot be benefitted by procrastination; and to prevent that progressive accumulation of debt which must ultimately endanger all government.” At some point and time, some future generation is going to say we're tired of paying the debts of our ancestors and will revolt. This is why Washington says it's a danger - that governments that accumulate large debts are eventually overthrown.
 * “A very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible, avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it; avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear.” - G. Washington
 * We need to remember that the text that limits the ability to incur generational debt is the republican form of gov’t clause – Thomas Jefferson spoke of republicanism in his castigation of national debt: “I place economy among the first and most important of republican virtues and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared.” He made it clear that the ultimate alternative to a crushing debt is a revolution. Jefferson also said “But if the debt should once more be swelled to a formidable size, its entire discharge will be despaired of, and we shall be committed to the English career of debt, corruption, and rottenness, closing with revolution. The discharge of the debt, therefore, is vital to the destinies of our government.” He also said “The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.”


 * Comprehension Question: How does the Constitution's Preamble say that multigenerational debt impacts government's legitimacy?**


 * Comprehension Question: What did George Washington say would ultimately happen to a nation that saddled future generations with large debts?**


 * Comprehension Question: What is Thomas Jefferson's warning about debt?**

We need to elect leaders today with the courage to refuse to incur even one more dollar of debt.

ConstitutionReclaimed.com


 * Discussion Question: Why is it absolutely essential to our liberty that we stop incurring any more debt and begin to pay off our existing national debt?**


 * Overall: Summarize the main idea of this section and why it's important. **

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