The founders were clear that the Constitution restricts the federal government to exactly and only those powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution. What they didn't put into the Constitution was a clause that imposes punitive measures on government (especially elected) officials who violate the Constitution. In other words, government officials will not be held personally liable for violating the supreme law of the land and most constitutional violations will never even make it into the federal courts because the courts will decide that the people don't have standing to bring these cases. We need a constitutional amendment that specifically imposes a punishment on government (especially elected) officials that violate the Constitution, such as permanent removal from office.



