Weights and Measures

Another duty of Congress in Article I, Section 8 is “to fix the standard of weights and measures.” In both commerce and industry this would be important to make sure everyone’s pound was 16 ounces and every yard was 36 inches. Consumers would be cheated if they paid for a pound of butter and only received 14 ounces. And imagine the catastrophe if buildings and bridges were constructed with steel and wooden beams that were not of a uniform length!

There must be a standard by which to measure all things. A “standard” is “something considered by an authority or by general consent as a basis of comparison; an approved model.” Standard weights and measures are necessary to keep merchants honest and construction projects safe. A standard of law is necessary to fairly govern a country, state, county, or city.

But most importantly, a standard of truth is vitally necessary or nothing else matters. Our founding fathers knew that when they wrote the Constitution. Their truth standard is the same one that God has provided to all who love truth: the Bible, which is His revelation for all mankind.

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” George Orwell, Author of 1984