In 1973, the eminent constitutionalist Sen. Sam Ervin of North Carolina presided over Senate hearings seeking to curtail Richard Nixon’s powers as president. Ervin was one of the most eloquent statesmen of his time or any other.
I am reminded of two of his most important admonitions:
“The history of mankind shows that governments have an insatiable thirst for power. This desire for power will carry them to tyranny unless it is prevented.”
And: “… I would suggest two books that should be in the White House. One is the Constitution of the United States, and the other is Dale Carnegie’s book ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’.”
It seems none of these words of wisdom took hold in the executive, legislative or judicial branches of government. Come this November, it’s time for these words to take hold and make a change in legislative powers.
Kenneth Powell
New Kensington