Constitution: Government to promote general welfare | News, Sports, Jobs
According to “Understanding concept of government overreach” (Letters, 09/25) government’s duties do not include protecting “our bodies from harm nor our minds from fear or free thinking.”
The context is that he thinks restrictions in response to the pandemic are unjustly taking away our rights.
The preamble to the U. S. Constitution states that a purpose of the federal government is “to promote the general Welfare” and Article II, Section 8 states that one of Congress’ powers is to “provide for the…general Welfare…”
The preamble to the Hawaii State Constitution states that a purpose of Hawaii’s government in to “…preserve the quality of life that we desire.”
We have a representative democracy. We periodically elect legislators and executives to enact laws as they think warranted. Our federal and state constitutions establish the respective court systems to check constitutional overreach. One court function is to balance constitutionally protected rights with the general welfare.
It is our duty to obey the laws unless and until overturned by the courts or repealed by the legislative and executive branches. Anyone disobeying a law in protest faces the consequences.
Our state and federal constitutions give us participatory rights to run for office, lobby representatives and to protest.
Responsible governance is highly nuanced.
James Joseph Clarkson
Wailuku
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