Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Rev. Edmund A. Opitz Quote “No one can read our Constitution without concluding that the people who wrote it wanted their government severely limited; the words 'no' and 'not' employed in restraint of government power occur 24 times in the first seven articles of the Constitution and 22 more times in the Bill of Rights.” ~ Rev. Edmund A. Opitz (1914-2006) American minister, author Constitution , Government , Power , Tyranny , Terrorism Ratings and Comments Reply Mike, Norwalk 7/25/07 Reply Daniel, California 7/25/07 1 Reply E Archer, NYC 7/25/07 Just say 'NO' -- to Congress. 2 Reply Ken, Allyn, WA 7/25/07 Saying "No!" to Congress is like saying "No!" to a two year old. They never listen and eventually they're going to get a spanking. Reply Byron, Fort Collins 9/20/11 2 Reply Mike, Norwalk 9/20/11 Makes one think, hmmm, Mr. Obamunist Goodwrench the assassin presents that he came from a place where reading the Constitution may have been a topic of interest at least once in a period of years BUT, I guess NOT!. Actions speak louder than words (even when they come from a teleprompter) How about people on the other side of the isle from the peace prize winning war monger, say like, Romney? No, I guess not him either. He says Social Security, compelled compliance, larceny with impunity, war without congressional approval, and victimless crimes are all Constitutional. Oh well, a bunch of non-readers all (well, I can think of one there related exception - go Ron Paul). 3 Reply jim k, Austin, Tx 9/20/11 "Government, even in it's best state is a necessary evil, in it's worst state an intolerable one." Thomas Paine Reply Mary - MI 9/20/11 1Reply Anonymous, Reston, VA, US 9/20/11 The conclusion does not follow from the assertion. If I say "you can do anything you want other than these 46 things" that is not very limiting. Time to engage in the study of basic logic. 3 Reply E Archer, NYC 9/21/11 But, Reston, you assume the "you can do anything you want" part. THAT is the reason the Constitution was amended -- to make explicitly clear that there are certain areas in which We The People reserve all rights -- that we did not 'give up' any rights in order to form a government -- we formed a government to protect our rights. We NEVER gave our representatives the power to do whatever they want, In fact, the only 'powers' we have given our representative governments are those specifically enumerated in the Constitution -- if it ain't there, we did not give them permission to do it. In other words, if individuals do not have the right to do something, groups of individuals do not have any more right to do the same thing. Corporations, unions, armies, clubs, guilds, government, etc. have not been given the power to dictate to others by the shear number of their supporters. We have NOT given the government the power to do whatever they want -- and those pesky 46 things are not the only rights we reserve -- the Constitution does not tell us our rights, it tells our government what it may and MAY NOT do. Now if only they would follow it... Reply Steven Cox, Blountville 10/28/13 Reply Ronw13, Yachats OR 12/24/15 1 Reply Ronw13, Yachats OR 12/24/15 All Rights Reserved ! Natural Law is Common to All. E Archer, you have a Merry Christmas sir. Thank you, it is always a pleasure. Love and Respect, values from their source. Cleaning The House comes. That is Hope ! Reply jim k, Austin 8/25/20 Reply Don Lee, Reno 8/25/20 No in today's leftism means oppression and not equality. A sad state of affairs and an indictment against modern education in public schools that preach anarchy in the same breath as big govt. 1 Reply Mary, MI 8/25/20 Rev. Edmund A. Opitz displayed that he was truly much wiser in interpreting the true intent of the U.S. Constitution than the likes of Anonymous, Reston, VA, US will ever hope to be. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Rev. Edmund A. Opitz quote is found in these categories: Constitution quotes Government quotes Power quotes Tyranny quotes Terrorism quotes About Rev. Edmund A. Opitz Bio of Rev. Edmund A. Opitz Quotations by Rev. Edmund A. Opitz Books by/about Rev. Edmund A. Opitz Rev. Edmund A. Opitz videos Rev. Edmund A. Opitz on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Rev. Edmund A. Opitz