In a message dated 6/19/01 10:08:35 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< The plain meaning of the 1st Amendment is clearly a restriction on the
power of Congress, yet the Supreme Court routinely holds that it applies to
school districts, and city councils, etc.>>
Well, the federal constitution is the supreme law of the land, and nothing a
state does can violate it. Also, the constitution specifically calls for
congress to guarantee each state a republican form of government, which has
been interpreted as meaning that each state derives its powers to govern from
congress and the federal constitution. And the Bill of Rights is not just a
restriction on congress. The states cannot do what congress cannot do,
therefore the Bill of Rights applies to the states as well.
Tom Beck
