Warning: The Constitution is still relevant 6/11/2010 By Amanda J. Reinecker

June 11, 2010 | By Amanda J. Reinecker Warning: The Constitution is still relevant "The idea that the Constitution is somehow dated and less relevant today is outrageous," opines The Heritage Foundation's Brandon Stewart. "The simple, noble principles enshrined in the Constitution have never been more relevant than they are today." Unfortunately, many on the left have taken issue with this fact. Consider Wilder Publications, publisher of a recent anthology of Founding texts, including the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. This "book" comes with a printed disclaimer stating that these self-evident truths may not be so true any longer. Reader beware! This is utterly ridiculous. These ideas are not dangerous; they're liberating. These values don't expire; they're eternal. These truths are not exclusive; they're universal. Based on reader reviews, Amazon.com customers appear to agree. What do you think? As Heritage's Matthew Spalding explains in his new book, We Still Hold These Truths: To this day, so many years after the American Revolution, these principles—proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence and promulgated by the United States Constitution—still define us as a nation and inspire us as a people. They are responsible for a prosperous and just nation unlike any in the world… A warning to readers is not necessary, explains Spalding, because the documents themselves are "a warning to tyrants and despots everywhere." To say they are no longer relevant is to undermine the fact that "it is because of these principles, not despite them, that America has achieved its greatness." In its disclaimer, Wilder Publications warns, "No part of this book may be used or reproduced…" The values enshrined in these works ought to be reproduced time and time again. If you are interested in being exposed to the "dangerous ideas" in our Constitution -- ideas about free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense -- you can order your own pocket copy of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution (sans warning label) from Heritage. > Other Heritage Work of Note Heritage Foundation research continues to reach its target audience on Capitol Hill. A recent publication by Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee cited research on defense spending by Heritage's Mackenzie Eaglen. Other Heritage research is making the rounds. Business owners and entrepreneurs are seeing work by Heritage economist James Sherk on the dangers of the Big Labor-backed Employee Free Choice Act, which would tilt organizing elections in favor of unions.  "The Obama administration's overly idealistic pursuit of a reduction in American and Russian stockpiles of nuclear arms has led it to actually sign a woefully flawed treaty," writes Heritage President Ed Feulner. "The goal may be worthy. The pact is not." The first of many problems with the new START treaty is that, if ratified by the Senate, it would limit our missile defense capabilities and significantly reduce our nuclear arsenal. But the Russians would hardly have to cut their nuclear forces. Feulner encourages "senators [to] recognize it for what it is - a nonstarter." Earlier this week, The Heritage Foundation hosted a members' teleconference with Matthew Spalding, director of Heritage's B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies. Spalding argued there is a strong connection between the principles of America's Founding and today's political issues but said these principles have come under assault from modern progressivism. He further outlined what has to be done in order to restore America as a constitutional republic and took questions from members. Listen to audio of this teleconference (link in MP3 format). "While Ronald Reagan restored the peace-through-strength model," writes Heritage vice president Kim Holmes in the Washington Times, "the Obama administration has adopted an apologetic, soft-power approach similar to that of the Carter administration." This has caused a number of our overseas allies -- Turkey, Great Britain, Poland, and Israel -- to begin distancing themselves from us on various foreign policy decisions. And it has further upset already volatile relations with China, Iran and North Korea.  "Unless we reverse course, well reap the same Carteresque results: more instability, more attacks against the U.S. and more loss of life and treasure."   Carl Ray Louk "FRIENDSHIP NEVER ENDS" SG-1996 "LET LOVE LEAD THE WAY" SG-2000 "THE PHOENIX SHALL RISE" SD "EVEN A MAN WHO IS PURE IN HEART AND SAYS HIS PRAYERS BY NIGHT, MAY BECOME A WOLF WHEN THE WOLFBANE BLOOMS AND THE AUTUMN MOON IS BRIGHT." LT-1941 "FLESH OF MY FLESH; BLOOD OF MY BLOOD; KIN OF MY KIN WHEN SAY COME TO YOU, YOU SHALL CROSS LAND OR SEA TO DO MY BIDDING!" CVTD-1895 "FROM HELL'S HEART I STAB AT THEE, FOR HATE SAKE I SPIT MY LAST BREATH AT THEE" CA-1895  "I HAVE BEEN, AND ALWAYS SHALL BE YOUR FRIEND" Spock  "TRICK OR TREAT, TRICK OR TREAT CANDY IS DANDY BUT MURDER, OH MURDER, IS SO SWEET" CRL-2003  "EYE OF NEWT, AND TOE OF FROG, WOOL OF BAT, AND TONGUE OF DOG ADDER'S FORK, BLIND-WORM'S STING, LIZARD'S LEG, AND OWLET'S WING. FOR A CHARM OF POWERFUL TROUBLE, LIKE A HELL-BROTH BOIL AND BABBLE. DOUBLE, DOUBLE, TOIL AND TROUBLE, FIRE BURN, AND CALDRON BUBBLE" WS MySpace.com: www.myspace.com/carlraylouk http://www.myspace.com/carlraylouk Yahoo Group: Yahoo! Groups : LouksHauntedGraveyardhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/LouksHauntedGraveyard/ Yahoo Group: Yahoo! Groups : TheWorldAccordingtoCarlRayLouk http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheWorldAccordingtoCarlRayLouk/