The “Power Study” U. S. Constitution Print

A Subjective Graphical Study of the Powers, Rights, Privileges and Limits Mandated and Allocated by the

Constitution of the United States

The U. S. Constitutional clauses consolidated and organized by entity assignment and relevance

A graphical representation that consolidates or eliminates clauses that have been amended or have expired, and more importantly, organizes the Constitution’s clauses to easily discern the entity that is subject to the clause. This high quality print is 36″ by 32″ on robust premium photographic paper with luster finish.

The U. S. Constitution describes powers bestowed upon the federal government by We the People. It also expresses limitations, privileges, rights, immunities, duties and procedures.

There are five distinct groups that are the subject of the mandates and provisions in the Constitution:

• The People
• The States (including powers or limits allocated specifically to the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary thereof)
• The Federal Legislature (The Congress, split into two groups: The House of Representatives and a Senate)
• The Federal Executive (The President)
• The Federal Judiciary (The Court)

This graphical design attempts to categorize and attach each clause and amendment to the group or groups that are specifically represented in that clause.

The very first clause, in Article One for example, states:

“All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.”

Although the Congress is clearly the subject, and it goes without saying the other groups have an interest, this clause allocates all legislative powers to The Congress.

Graphically, on this print design, the text is positioned squarely over “The Congress” column and the text box is filled with that column’s color:

Lengthier clause text boxes are centered, if possible, over the subject columns, and as they extend out over other columns, the text boxes are either filled with the column’s color if also subject to the clause, or if not, the box is not filled over that column:

With shorter clauses that apply to multiple groups, the text box height is compressed and extend over the pertinent column and likewise filled with the representative column color:

Additionally, the text denoting powers, rights, and privileges are in an alternate font style and blue in color.  Text denoting a limit are also in an alternate font style, but red in color.

Because the meaning of the constitutional text may have different interpretations depending on the reader, there will undoubtedly be disagreement as to the allocations.

The First Amendment is a prime example.  The text states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The Congress is the group directly addressed by this limitation.  Some of the justification to allocate the significance of this clause to all the groups are:

• The People practice religion, speak, engage with the press, assemble and petition the Government.
• The 14^th Amendment mandates that The States are prohibited from abridging the privileges or immunities of The People and from depriving them from their Life, Liberty, and Property without Due Process of Law.  The First Amendment describes some of those privileges and immunities.
• The President is the head of one of the three branches of “the Government” and may be petitioned for a redress of grievances.
• The Court is also a member of “the Government” and likewise may be petitioned for a redress of grievances.

Again, this graphical presentation is subjective.  Other readers may certainly come to their own conclusions.