I have had several interesting exchanges with friends and acquaintances on Facebook over the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. Many have made statements like “no matter what the States do Federal law always controls” or “State law is always voided by Federal law because of the Supremacy Clause”. This is not true and is a result of the incorrect interpretation of Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution. Simply because Congress passes a law does NOT mean that it is legitimate nor does it make it the law of land. The truth is that the Supremacy Clause ONLY applies to acts of the Federal Government if they are done within their constitutionally authorized powers (which are few). The Federal Government is one of enumerated (specifically listed and named) and limited powers, and it must demonstrate Constitutional authorization for its actions. Any laws passed by the Federal Government must conform to the Constitution and must not infringe upon the guarantee to the State’s under the 10th Amendment. The 10th Amendment states: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” So ALL those powers not specifically granted to the Federal Government elsewhere in the Constitution are reserved to or subject to State rather than Federal control. The founders knew what they were doing when the Constitution was written. They were attempting to protect us from the very sort of situation we face today. Study the Constitution, the men who wrote it, and think for yourself. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21
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There have been many times in my career that things that happened around me did not make sense. As a young man I was bothered by things like this and I obsessed endlessly over causation and effect. Things seemed more orderly if I could affix to every bad thing a simple, logical explanation. How much time I wasted searching for answers that would never come. I distinctly recall a bad accident scene we were assisting on many years ago where a teenager lost his life. I remember the darkness and the eerie way the overhead lights played off the trees. I remember the badly mangled vehicle that only bore a resemblance of what it once was. I remember how quickly the firemen worked to free him knowing that every second was precious. I remember the EMT’s and how they desperately tried everything they knew to save him. I also remember the sense of collective failure felt when it became apparent that everyone’s best efforts had failed. I remember a school book and a tennis shoe on the roadside. I remember a discussion between several of us later that night trying to understand why things like that happen. We would have these discussions time and time again when we worked a homicide, fatal accident, suicide, abused children, etc. and I ultimately arrived at the conclusion that there are things that will happen that do not make sense that I would not understand. But it did give me a better perspective on my own life and the lives of my loved ones and just how brittle the thread of life is. Looking back at that accident scene I wondered what the last conversation was that young man had with his loved ones. It made me think about how much grief I gave my youngest son for leaving a half-eaten burrito on a plate underneath his bed only to be discovered by his mother months later. I also remembered the first time my oldest son backed into a pole and dented up the car and how I responded. Reflecting on these things I realize that these were so insignificant in the big picture of life. I am glad those were not the last conversations I had with my boys. I also realized how truly blessed I am to have my wife and kids and I try to tell them every day how much I love them. Never forget that every breath you take is a miracle and none of us are promised tomorrow. Don’t waste time fretting over past mistakes or worrying about what tomorrow holds. Make use of your present and be grateful to God for all you have. And come to grips with the reality that you will not always understand what the Creator is doing.
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