by Dennis Aubuchon

Created on: April 12, 2009   Last Updated: April 14, 2009

The rights of states was engrained into the Constitution through Amendment ten which is part of the Bill of Rights. To understand what is involved with regards to states rights it is important to read the language of the tenth amendment to the Constitution. Below is the exact wording:
"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."

States rights are important and we as citizens of our state must understand the responsibilities of our state in conjunction with the responsibilities levied to the federal government. The responsibilities of these two entities can sometimes become unclear in our present economic environment. This article will attempt to present the responsibilities and limits of each entity as define in the U.S. Constitution. The statement above expressly identifies it is a state responsibility for any task not delegated to the Congress. The Constitution identifies the responsibilities of Congress and their limits in establishing laws for the country. It also identifies powers prohibited to the states.

Our Constitution is a great document and was laid out by our founding fathers based on their perception of the role the federal government should play with regards to the security of the country. Some of the responsibilities of Congress will be identified and discussed to some extent except where it is clear what is meant by the responsibility defined. The responsibilities of Congress are defined under Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. Below is a link to a site which has current information on the details of the U.S. Constitution.
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

The first responsibility talks about the Power to lay and collect taxes, duties, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States and that all duties (Imposts and Excises) shall be uniform throughout the United States. The key phrase in our current economic situation in this responsibility involves paying the debts. The actions being taken or have been taken is increasing the federal debt which will have to be paid in the future. It is the responsibility of Congress to make arrangements and plans for paying this new level of debt off in the future. How this will be accomplished will be the key. The next responsibility of the federal government is to borrow money on the credit of the United States. This is currently occurring

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