The current administration and members of the Congress continue to shred the Constitution. The law of the land mandates that all revenue bills originate in the House. Logical, since that is the chamber closest to the people.

The House voted and rejected the original “bailout” bill proposed by the administration. So the politicians (both parties are complicit) originated a new bill in the Senate. They knew they had the votes to pass it, and with the threat of imminent collapse of the financial markets, the House would have to cave in.

That reversal of roles is contrary to the intent of the Constitution.

We have a “war” in Iraq, based on the administration’s threat that the nation was in “imminent” danger from weapons of mass destruction. However, only Congress can declare a “war,” which it never did. Now there are more than 4,000 casualties.

In Vietnam, based upon the administration’s false assertions, there was a war that was never declared by Congress. There were more than 54,000 casualties.

It is my hope that when a person is elected to Congress, the least he should know is the basic charter (Constitution) from which he gets his duties and responsibilities. However, from past history, the administration and Congress use the Constitution only when convenient and ignore it when it is inconvenient.

This inappropriate behavior sets a poor example for everyone in our society.

Paul Flynn, New Gloucester