The 10th Commandment stands out from the other Commandments because it requires us to govern not our deeds but our thoughts. Had the prohibition against coveting come sixth, the commandments dealing with interactions with others would only appear to describe the forbidden outcomes of coveting: murder, adultery, theft, and lying. By coming last, the 10th Commandment expands the prohibition; placement at the end also underscores that harm from coveting manifests itself in innumerable ways.
The Founding Fathers saw America as a modern Israel. Early suggestions for the Seal of the United States included the Israelites crossing into Canaan. The Liberty Bell contains a quote from Leviticus proclaiming the jubilee.
It is no coincidence, therefore that the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution contains 10 amendments, nor that the 10th Amendment, stating that "[t]he 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" comes at the end. The 10th Amendment serves to expand and make general the limitations on the power of the federal government. The parallel also extends to recognition of the covetousness inherent in people and in institutions.
The current Presidential campaign and upcoming Supreme Court review of Obamacare will bring the policy and practice of the 10th Amendment to the foreground. We should bear in mind not only the Amendment's textual relation to the 10th Commandment, but the degree to which covetousness, when manifested in policy, does general and innumerable harm.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Obama Address to Serve as Half-Time Show for NFL Season Opener
Associate Press --
Bumped by Speaker Boehner from September 7 to September 8, and reluctant to drive his approval ratings down further by delaying the NFL Season Opener that evening, President Obama has agreed for his address to Congress to serve as the game's half-time show.
The White House briefly considered the President addressing the nation prior to kick-off, but this was considered to interfere with most families' dinner schedules. "The First Lady was adamant," explained Presidential Press Secretary James Carney. "The President has been so laser focused on jobs that Sasha and Malika haven't had any quality father time."
According to Washington Post columnist Ezra Klein, "An Address to a Joint Session of Congress will allow Obama to appear at his most Presidential. The Half-Time slot will show the silver-tongued Chief Executive off to brilliant advantage against both The Black-Eyed Peas and Howard Cosell."
Former President Bill Clinton will reportedly join the Secret Service in inspecting the cheerleaders of both teams for potential costume failures.
Bumped by Speaker Boehner from September 7 to September 8, and reluctant to drive his approval ratings down further by delaying the NFL Season Opener that evening, President Obama has agreed for his address to Congress to serve as the game's half-time show.
The White House briefly considered the President addressing the nation prior to kick-off, but this was considered to interfere with most families' dinner schedules. "The First Lady was adamant," explained Presidential Press Secretary James Carney. "The President has been so laser focused on jobs that Sasha and Malika haven't had any quality father time."
According to Washington Post columnist Ezra Klein, "An Address to a Joint Session of Congress will allow Obama to appear at his most Presidential. The Half-Time slot will show the silver-tongued Chief Executive off to brilliant advantage against both The Black-Eyed Peas and Howard Cosell."
Former President Bill Clinton will reportedly join the Secret Service in inspecting the cheerleaders of both teams for potential costume failures.
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