Educate Ben about black women

[giblets]

Where does it say anything about slaves in that? It applies to everyone, not just slaves.

What do you think it means by 'importation' of people? Buying people from abroad is the slave trade. In any case it's a clause that expired in 1808, so violating it now would be impossible.

[Ben Kenobi]

Possibly the most boring game I've ever attempted to play.

It can be incredibly frustrating, but there's some really cool parts. There's simply nothing else like it if you are into that period of history.

[giblets]

True, but the constitution in the original did not prohibit these natural rights. Nor did it preserve slavery.

It also didn't prohibit taxes. So, what's your point. There aren't any restrictions on what amendments can be made, they simply have to follow the ratification process. Collecting taxes isn't exactly unprecedented.

[Ben Kenobi]

What do you think it means by 'importation' of people? Buying people from abroad is the slave trade. In any case it's a clause that expired in 1808, so violating it now would be impossible.

Immigration? Seems anyone wishing to immigrate to the US back then paid the equivalent of 10 dollars per head, the equivalent of about 18k now. That's not bad.

[Ben Kenobi]

It also didn't prohibit taxes.

It prohibited levying taxes which varied across the population. That's why I quoted that section. Progressive federal income taxes aren't, "Duties, Imposts and Excises which are uniform throughout the United States;" in that they charge some people more than other people.

Collecting taxes isn't exactly unprecedented.

No, but the hows, why's and wherefores, are specified in the constitution.

[giblets]

Immigration? Seems anyone wishing to immigrate to the US back then paid the equivalent of 10 dollars per head.

It doesn't say migration can be taxed. It says importation can be, which is the slave trade.

[giblets]

It prohibited levying taxes which varied across the population. That's why I quoted that section. Progressive federal income taxes aren't, "Duties, Imposts and Excises which are uniform throughout the United States;" in that they charge some people more than other people.

No, but the hows, why's and wherefores, are specified in the constitution.

As far as I know, "uniform throughout the United States" means the federal government has to apply the same tax system in every state instead of favoring some states over others.

[DaShi]

Ben, if you don't like the way things are run in the US, you can always vote with your feet. As a suggestion, Uganda seems right up your alley.

[David Floyd]

True, but the constitution in the original did not prohibit these natural rights. Nor did it preserve slavery.

Actually, it did. Read the 10th Amendment. I will paraphrase - All powers not specifically delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states.

Additionally, the Bill of Rights cannot be construed to have prohibited slavery, except perhaps on a federal level. The Bill of Rights were not constructed as to apply against the States until starting in the early 20th century as a function of substantive due process.

The fact is simple - the several States were absolutely free to allow slavery within their borders, although they were NOT free based on the Constitution to import new slaves.

[Ben Kenobi]

Actually, it did. Read the 10th Amendment. I will paraphrase - All powers not specifically delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states.

But that's not in the original, but the BOR.

Additionally, the Bill of Rights cannot be construed to have prohibited slavery, except perhaps on a federal level. The Bill of Rights were not constructed as to apply against the States until starting in the early 20th century as a function of substantive due process.

Agreed. There's nothing in the original that refers in any way to slavery at all, except through the distinction made between 'free' peoples, indentured servants and 'other' people. It doesn't even refer to race, presumably those who were black and considered to be free people would be entitled to vote as a free person. Nothing to indicate that women were considered to be less than 'free' people. It's just not there.

The fact is simple - the several States were absolutely free to allow slavery within their borders, although they were NOT free based on the Constitution to import new slaves.

Actually, they were permitted to import whomever they wanted, slaves, freemen until 1808 for a head tax.

[Ben Kenobi]

As far as I know, "uniform throughout the United States" means the federal government has to apply the same tax system in every state instead of favoring some states over others.

All it demands is uniformity, which makes sense. Can't pass favours for your croneys.

[Ben Kenobi]

Ben, if you don't like the way things are run in the US, you can always vote with your feet. As a suggestion, Uganda seems right up your alley.

Are you kidding me? I love the US. TX is awesome.

[giblets]

It doesn't even refer to race, presumably those who were black and considered to be free people would be entitled to vote as a free person.

There isn't any right to vote in the original constitution- state governments decided the criteria for being able to vote.

[Ben Kenobi]

There isn't any right to vote in the original constitution- state governments decided the criteria for being able to vote.

Funny that. Separation of powers.

[giblets]

All it demands is uniformity, which makes sense. Can't pass favours for your croneys.

Would it be unconstitutional to, say, tax people less if they have children? I don't think it would be.