With the November election approaching, much attention is focused on the presidential contest -- but at least as significant are the contests that will determine who controls Congress.
That is because Congress controls federal taxing and spending.
"The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States," says the Constitution.
"No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law," it says.
In his Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, published in 1833 and quoted on The Founders' Constitution website, Justice Joseph Story did an excellent job explaining the purpose of this provision.
"The object is apparent upon the slightest examination," wrote Story. "As all the taxes raised from the people, as well as the revenues arising from other sources, are to be applied to the discharge of the expenses, and debts, and other engagements of the government, it is highly proper, that congress should possess the power to decide, how and when any money should be applied for these purposes.
"If it were otherwise, the executive would possess an unbounded power over the public purse of the nation; and might apply all its monied resources at his pleasure," he wrote.
"In arbitrary governments the prince levies what........