To the editor:
When he was president, Thomas Jefferson—who knew something about the Constitution—had the opportunity to acquire the territory of Louisiana from France. However, his scruples against taking an action not distinctly authorized in the text of the Constitution caused him to hesitate. Yet we all know what he did. He bought Louisiana.
“What does the Constitution say?” This question is very much like asking, “What does the Bible say?” Some points are crystal clear: the president must be at least 35 years old/do not kill. But other points are disputable. Constitutional fundamentalists believe their interpretation is “right” in the same way biblical literalists insist that their view of scripture is the only correct one. Both ignore other scholars who have come to different conclusions after honest inquiry.
If all constitutional questions were as cut-and-dried as folks like Walter Williams (“Despite oath, U.S. presidents don’t respect hands-off spirit of Constitution,” April 13) believe them to be, there would be little need for the political process to exist at all.
