Thursday, March 14 2013, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein from California and freshman Republican Senator Ted Cruz from Texas debated the Second Amendment. Senator Cruz attempted to argue that any restrictions on gun ownership would be unconstitutional by lecturing Senator Feinstein on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Unfortunately, he does not have the knowledge to teach the Senator or anyone else about either of these documents. He wanted to know if Senator Feinstein would approve any attempt to place restrictions on rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Apparently, the Senator from Texas is not aware that there are certain restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The example used most often to illustrate restrictions on free speech is "You can't yell 'FIRE' in a crowded place when there is no fire." Newspapers and magazines are subject to charges of libel and/or slander if they print stories which are completely false. These are basic examples that Senator Cruz should have known.
Unfortunately, Senator Cruz is not alone in lacking understanding of the Bill of Rights and/or the Constitution. There are other members of Congress who also do not have a working knowledge of these documents. In October 2010, Representative Michele Bachmann said she would hold Constitution classes beginning in 2011 taught by ultra conservatives. She, her fellow members of Congress and all the people they represent would have been better served if they were taught by professors and/or teachers who are experts in their fields. While every Representative and Senator does not need to be an expert in Constitutional History and/or Constitutional Law, shouldn't they at least have a basic understanding of the document? But then again, shouldn't the people who elect them?
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