There is a huge, unspoken and inaccurate assumption behind the 14er case, namely that the constitutional mandate to pay our debts implies doing it with additional debt.

FORBES: Four Questions For Obama's 14th Amendment Courtiers

And finally, the independent electoral tribunal, chosen by congress before Mr. Zelaya was removed, was continuing with the steps required to fulfill its constitutional mandate to conduct the vote.

WSJ: Mary O'Grady: In Elections, Honduras Defeats Ch??vez

Such surprises frequently compel the federal government to give urgent attention to its constitutional mandate to "provide for the common defense, " often at the expense of fiscal discipline and other priorities.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Job #1 for Congress