Republican Club
The Republican Club’s second vice president, Brian Harmon of Mutual 12, was the speaker at the club’s Zoom meeting on March 17. Harmon’s topic was titled “The Constitution: Then and Now.”
Harmon holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in economics with a focus in economic history from Califonia State University, Long Beach. He was an economics professor at the community college level for 25 years, most recently at Cypress College, where he taught honors economics. He also taught high school social studies for 10 years.
According to Harmon, the story of the U.S. Constitution starts with the Articles of Confederation, which was the ruling document that preceded the Constitution.
“By 1787, the legislators of the nation were convinced that the government was not strong enough to do the job of keeping the country together, so they met together in Philadelphia to modify it. This gathering came to be called the Constitutional Convention, which debated and wrote the new Constitution, which was ratified by the 13 states on June 7, 1788,” said Harmon.
“The three major areas of debate were the power of the Federal government vs. that of the states (called Federalism); the conflict between the large populationstates and the smaller ones; and the separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government and slavery,” Harmon continued.
According to Harmon, the issue that nearly torpedoed the convention was the small state versus large state problem. This question was resolved by having the House of Representatives based on population, and the other house having two senators from each state. That way, neither group of states could impose their preferences on the other. Compromise would be required, which is often best for both in the long run.
“Amazingly, that system works that way today,” Harmon said. “Some bills that former President Donald Trump wanted did not become law, and undoubtedly, someof President Joe Biden’s ideas will not either. And perhaps more importantly, many bills have passed as compromises between the Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and House.”
According to Harmon, the separation of powers was less controversial then than now. Over the years, conflicts between the President and the Congress have been decided by the Supreme Court.
••• The Republican Club congratulates Katrina Foley as the new OC Supervisor for District 2. Voters should also know that Foley was not responsible for the negative flyers about John Moorlach that were mailed out.
Republican Club leaders and members support working with political leaders who belong to the other party, including Foley.
The Republican Club meets via Zoom on the third Wednesday of the month. To attend, email club president David Harlow at dharlow50@aol.com to be placed on the email list. A link will be sent out before each meeting. Anyone who is unable to attend can email Harlow to receive the agenda and minutes.
