The House of Representatives' 435 members have the "Constitutional" authority (Article One: Section 8) to vote on the tax code and appropriations. Our servicemen are overseas because 435 people want them there. Only representatives can declare war.

What about the Federal Reserve Bank? In 1913, Congress "delegated" its constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a "private" central bank. Congress allows the Federal Reserve to rule because this private institution crates the "hidden" tax of inflation. Over-printing of money through low interest rates covers for Congress' inept overspending (not to mention presidential spending as well).

Fellow so-called Catholics led the 105th Congress with 155 members. If these were traditional Catholics — instead of nominal (in name only) — I'll guarantee they would represent our God-given liberties in the Constitution. They wouldn't find it necessary to replace 10 Commandments (or 10 Bill of Rights) with 40 million "new" laws. Or allow NAFTA to use our soldiers to build roads in Guatemala. Or allow so-called executive orders to override their constitutional authority.

The first and only obligation of a representative is to properly represent the Constitution — the law of the land — not the whims of a majority. We are a republic, not a democracy of propositions.

And beneath all the compromise lies Satan. The real summation of problems (Ephesians 6:12).

Ron Arthur

Lodi