How did we get to a place where the president declares war

To the editor:

Mark Twain's wit, perhaps, describes the dilemma the majority of the U.S. Congress has suffered for decades since Dec. 7, 1941: "It's better to keep silent and appear stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Our military sons and daughters show courage in filling their duty, even unto death, but our Congress has found a way to shirk theirs and call undeclared wars a patriotic fight. Per Article I, Section 8, Clause 11, "Congress shall have the power to declare war." Instead, Congress passes the buck to the President by implementing such laws as the post-9/11 Authorization to Use Military Force, perverting the original intent of the framers. In essence, there is a congressional abdication of power to the president to start a war. The president, in turn, has been giving this power to the UN/NATO to obtain a Resolution.

It should be noted that during all these decades of congressional silence, ignoring their duty to declare war, we the people have been no better. Those who agree turn a blind-eye to the our framer's clearly defined process. Those who have disagreed with our nation being involved in undeclared war are called unpatriotic. We must overcome politicians loyal to their party platforms by demanding obedience to The Constitution they swear an oath to. For this law never lies to us and reserves military might as a last resort.

Hamilton's in Federalist No.78 renders his verdict: "Every act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void. No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid." James Madison's Helvidius 1793 Essays opine on this critical issue: "In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace to the legislature, and not to the executive department. Beside the objection to such a mixture of heterogeneous powers: the trust and the temptation would be too great for any one man."

Assumed powers with no constitutional backing are simply not legitimate. We will never be capable of self-government by allowing this generational violation to continue. Stand up for generations to come. Educate your Washington delegation. They need an education on the Constitution that you will learn attending the many "Constitution Is The Solution" seminars in New England. Contact Mathew Rhodes Field Coordinator for the JBS at mrhodes@jbs.org .

- Russ Payne,

Merrimack