In political discussion, in the United States at least, there is one question that must be answered before any others are asked, when it comes to programs and actions of the Federal government. This week, the question was finally put to Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. This question is “What provision in the Constitution could you point to to give authority for the actions that have been taken.” Until this question is answered reasonably no program or action should proceed from Washington.

It was refreshing to hear Representative Michelle Bachman of Minnesota press for an answer from a befuddled Secretary Geithner. Often when watching two people converse on a subject it becomes clear that one person is not comprehending the words of the other; this dialog is a perfect example. Geithner looked as if he had never discussed or even considered constitutional issues. After several attempts to claim that the authority was appropriate because it came from Congress, he finally ‘answered’: “Under the laws of the land of course.” Mr. Geithner needs a refresher course in basic US civics. As any immigrant seeking naturalization knows, the law of the land is the US Constitution, not the Congress.

The Constitution of the United States exists to establish and limit our Federal government. There are two clauses that have been used to abuse these limits and stretch them to the breaking point. One is the Commerce Clause, which permits Congress to regulate interstate commerce. The other is the Necessary and Proper Clause, which empowers Congress to make laws necessary and proper to the accomplish of their Constitutional responsibilities. Instead of these answers, Mr. Geithner, with a deer in the headlights look, stammered out a lame answer. Of course had he given these answers the matter would not have been settled, because further discussion would be needed. He only managed to show his own lack of understanding, and give further darts to those of us demanding strict adherence to the Constitution.

The fact is that if held to the standards of the Constitution the powers that the Fed has abused for decades would evaporate—along with the illegal programs they establish. I look forward to the day members of Congress, the President and his cabinet remember their oath to defend and protect the Constitution. This oath is violated every time a bill is passed into law without a careful examination in the light of the Constitution. For decades laws and programs have been established without consideration of the one document meant to enlighten these decisions. Is it any wonder we live in such a politically benighted time?