Chief. Understand you are a teacher. An older cousin graduated from a teachers college in the llate 1940s and started a 40 year teaching career. I remember his ranting and raving on how Federal Aid to Education would ruin education, schools, and the country. Haven't heard a public school teacher say that in 40 years. Don't hear back to basics, 3 Rs, local control, etc. anymore. Why?? First: teacher's pocketbooks have done very well under Fed aid. Teachers don't want to go back to a starting wage of $9,000. Second: parents know their kids are getting a much better education than they did. More course offerings, better teachers, better all around.

Defense and mail. Is that what the Constitution says. The Constitution was out of date before it was signed on 17 September 17, 1787. On 25 Septmber 1789 Congress approved 12 Amendments to the States to be ratified. Two were rejected and ten were ratified--the Bill Of Rights. Since 1789 there have been an additional 17 amendments proposed, ratified by the states and added to the Constitution. Several other proposed amendments were not ratified--I think the latest being the ERA Amendment in the 1970s. So, defense and mail only. Don't think it will ever happen!! If tried, revolt and revolution. People want and expect more than that, and are will ing to pay taxes to get it.

Note: I have my pocket copy of the Constitution sitting on the light table next to my easy chair. No need to quote it for me.