one cannot legislate stupid out, but

True story. Saturday evening, Barbara and I went out for a romantic dinner: McDonald’s. Don’t laugh! They have a $5 value meal that with a military discount we each enjoy a scrumptious meal, and all for a grand total of $9.50 total including tax. Add the votive candle, free drink refills, and the two-seat table with window allowing the panoramic view of the parking lot: Romance. And trust me, there are some who think I don’t know how to be romantic … nor how to spend big.

Anyway, starting at the counter, the mood somewhat romantafizzled. When we ordered, the individual who waited on us struggled. So much, she made stupid look smart and our $9.50 meal, including tax, ended up costing $10.10. She was so confused; I didn’t dare mention the dilemma, hoping to correct the mistake and get my sixty cents back. Thus, to make her life easy (or so thought), I handed her $20.10, expecting to receive a 10 spot in return. Or maybe two fives. Except, it only confused things more, because she only wanted to give me back $9.90 having plugged in $20.00 received, not the actual $20 and ten cents she was handed.

In the confusion, Barbara and I tried to explain the math. Her words: “The machine says I owe you $9.90.” After a few minutes her manager walks over and tries to explain, only to finally tell her: “They’re right.” Mind you, when you walk in the front door, there’s a sign: Starting pay at $14.00 per hour. Seriously! How much should one be paid for being uneducated in basic math? Then, adding insult to my injury, when the meal arrived at the table, if presentation was part of the package, let’s just say: Total fail on the romantic atmosphere.

Now, I’m no mathematician, I never worked fast-food, nor am I a legislator, but: Where some might call me cheap based on my romance at McD’s, I used to be a spendthrift but learned the lessons well. Spend less than you make and live beneath your means. Which brings up an interesting aspect of the Constitution: Limited power. Only, with limited legislative power, Congress does have unlimited spending power. Although, its power is totally dependent on WE THE PEOPLE, inclusive of the ability to spend. But if WE THE PEOPLE constitute or parallel those who work for the McD’s we visited, then make no mistake of limited power: Congress cannot legislate stupid out, but. Except, based on the ever-growing debt the country faces, WE THE PEOPLE have been more than capable of voting it in.

So, maybe the Anti-Federalists were right: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; (Article I/Section 8/First Clause), claiming it to be a sweeping clause. Too much of everything except limits. Thus, if basic math is now common core, with common or core apparently an oxymoron, imagine our posterities futures if someone does not get a handle on spending now. I promise you Congress won’t unless we do. But I do question if legislators started at McDonald’s, and we’re supposed to pay them how much?