Last Saturday, Robert Levy, senior fellow in Constitutional studies at the Cato Institute, visited Clyde at the invitation of the local branch of the 9-12 project. Levy gave an overview of the book he recently co-authored with William Mellor, The Dirty Dozen. The book relates instances of bizarre interpretations of the Constitution that expanded the powers of the federal government. Levy talked a straight libertarian line, often interrupted by cheers from the large group gathered in the auditorium at Haywood Community College. Levy contended that the Constitution remains a valid document. The problem is, those in power are not abiding by its dictates. He said he and fellow-fellows at the Cato Institute often chide that the Constitution needs one more amendment that says, “And we really mean it.”
Levy said there are a number of groups working on defending liberty in different ways, and encouraged those in the audience to join one that felt comfortable. Liberty-lovers don’t tend to flock together. Levy said one of the best things people can do is work hard – and get enough money to make generous contributions to organizations trying to advance liberty (1,2). He announced to the crowd’s delight that some of the federal government’s recent shocking actions, like its creation of czars, were being challenged in the courts.
All in all, the talk was top-notch and bullet-proof.
