Happy Independence Day

As many of you know, every Fourth of July I read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Every year I'm reminded of the wisdom and foresight that went into them. Here are a few random tidbits from this year's reading:

• The founders saw the legislature as more primary than we do today. The Congress is introduced before the President, and when a decision has to be made by the States, the Constitution gives the power to the State legislatures first.
• A majority of each House of Congress constitutes a quorum.
• Patents and copyright are granted for "limited Times" "To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts."
• The President's power to grant pardons does not extend to impeachment.
• "No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court."
• D.C.'s number of electoral votes cannot be more than that of the least populous State. (I'm not sure about the wisdom of this one.)

Happy Fourth of July!