Article IV. The people of this commonwealth have the sole and exclusive right of governing themselves, as a free, sovereign, and independent state; and do, and forever hereafter shall, exercise and enjoy every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not, or may not hereafter, be by them expressly delegated to the United States of America in Congress assembled.
---Massachusetts state constitution, adopted 1870
Which description best explains the significance of this excerpt to the current government of Massachusetts?
a. This excerpt is an example of a fundamental law of lasting importance that should not be changed***
b. This excerpt is an example of a statutory law that should be passed as an ordinary piece of legislation
c. This excerpt is an example of a miscellaneous provision that no longer has any effect but has been left in the document
d. This excerpt is an example of a preamble that has no legal force but describes the intent of the document
not sure between a or d
Only one of those is the obvious answer. Which is it?
Yes, A. Article IV can not be the preamble.
Based on the given excerpt, the best description to explain its significance to the current government of Massachusetts is option a. This excerpt is an example of a fundamental law of lasting importance that should not be changed.
The excerpt emphasizes the principle of self-governance, stating that the people of Massachusetts have the sole and exclusive right to govern themselves. It asserts the state's status as a free, sovereign, and independent state. Furthermore, it states that the people of Massachusetts exercise and enjoy every power, jurisdiction, and right that is not explicitly delegated to the United States of America in Congress assembled.
This excerpt from the Massachusetts state constitution reflects a core and enduring principle of the state's governance. It affirms the state's autonomy and the authority of its people to govern themselves, highlighting the importance of this provision as a fundamental law. As a fundamental law, it holds a significant and lasting importance to the current government of Massachusetts and is not intended to be changed easily or disregarded. Therefore, option a, "This excerpt is an example of a fundamental law of lasting importance that should not be changed," is the most accurate description.