The Constitution of the United States, as framed by our founding fathers, covers all aspects of society’s welfare, as it was then. Today, there are many who state that it needs to be changed in order to better reflect the needs of modern society, and that the Constitution needs to be reframed to cover situations our founding fathers had no way of predicting and anticipating.

Guests include:

• Allen Fishburn: Attorney at Law
• Robert D. Cohen: Attorney at Law: Cohen and Zwerner
• Thomas G. West, PhD: Professor of Politics, University of Dallas, Author of Vindicating the Founders
• Calvin C. Jillson, PhD: Author of Pursuing the American Dream, Department of Political Science Southern Methodist University

The Constitution’s basic premise begins with:

“We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The question asked in this program by host Dennis McCuistion is, “Does Our Constitution Still Matter?”  To which each of our guests respond, “Absolutely.”

Regarding the Constitution, Robert Cohen says, “It is a living document and still very much alive. We’re not always looking back. We can challenge a law on constitutional grounds and we can give it true effectiveness”.

Allen Fishburn believes that the Constitution matters now more than ever. He states, “We would all do better if we studied what our founders had written. The scope is far broader than what we learned in our schools. And we don’t follow it as well as we should.”

Commerce Clause and Government Take Over of Health Care

The conversation focuses on Article 1; Section 8 the commerce clause and what justifies the takeover of government of our health care, based on what our Constitution states. They ask whether  or not the government had the right to invoke the commerce.  They state that the clause guarantees our rights. And that we need a more careful study of the document.

Taking Private Property to Encourage Private Lending in Private Sector

The guests discuss the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and that it authorized the Treasury to spend $700 billion on the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The first $350 billion was used to inject capital back into distressed banks. They differ as to whether government has the constitutional power to do this. A question was asked, “How does Congress get away with this?” It appears that Government is taking private property for the purpose of encouraging private lending to the private sector.

Cal Jillson points out that while they did do so- it worked and funds are coming back.

Tom West says, “No they didn’t follow the law as to what not to do with those assets, therefore doubly unlawful.”

Do the Ninth and Tenth Amendments Still Have Meaning?

The Ninth and Tenth amendments are also discussed and questioned as to whether they still have meaning.  Do we just give them lip service or are we restating the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? They leave us with a reminder that it is the people who control government, the Constitution is a document for the people, and not for government’s use in controlling us.

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1823 – 05.30.10

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Given the fact of our present high unemployment and an unstable economy, according to some people, the increases in minimum wage will only increase unemployment. Conversely, others believe that those who work for minimum wage are past due from being given a raise- because of the increased costs of living.

Minimum wage came into existence just after World War II, then at 40 Cents an hour. Minimum wage is essentially a law that makes it illegal for firms over a certain revenue point/size to hire anyone at a wage level below the official minimum.

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Joining host, Dennis McCuistion, to discuss the pros and cons of proposed increases are:

• Liana Fox: Economic Analyst with Washington based, Economic Policy Institute
• John P. Greenan: Executive Director of the Central Dallas Community Development Corporation
• Robert Smith: Host of the Acorn Hour Radio Program on KNOW 89.3 FM (Association of the Community Organizations for Reform Now)
• Bob McTeer, PhD – Economist and distinguished Fellow with the National Center for Policy Analysis and former President of the Dallas Federal Reserve

Bob McTeer believes that raising the minimum wage may sound good in theory, but in fact some are not employed as a result of it, because firms may not be able to afford hiring them.

John Greenan believes that the minimum wage is low enough that increasing it will not decrease jobs. From his organization’s perspective,

“It’s a moral issue as well. It’s not right [for people] to work full time and not be able to support themselves.”

Join in for a lively discussion that hasn’t changed over the years as to the practicality and morality of minimum wage. Let us know what you think by posting a comment on our website or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/McCuistiontv.

As always thanks for joining us as we talk about things that matter with people who care.

Niki Nicastro McCuistion
Executive Producer/Producer

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