I wonder what this sentence would look like a little more unpacked, as they say today.

But I was thinking the way this nation is headed, I wonder if there might not be a split, and two nations arise out of one. Another Civil War, without the War so much. Or perhaps a war, maybe.

"With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defense of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword..." --Robert E. Lee

It just means that if the Constitution doesn’t explicitly give a specific power to the federal government, the government can’t have that power.

One of the beauties of the Constitution is that anyone can read it. The attempt to “unpack” it, as you say — find more than the obvious meaning — is one reason we’re so burdened with big government.

"— find more than the obvious meaning"

Right. I have heard some, and even Obama, I think, say the Constitution is a breathing and living document, or something like that. Which, I guess, means the meaning can change.

For myself, to be honest, when I read the Constitution, it was hard to understand for me. BUT, it surely was written with good and simple words, with well said meanings for the people of this nation, I agree. I just need to learn.

I appreciate your "unpacking".

What would be a specific abuse of the Constitution in our day?

I know I heard Obama say he disagrees with the writers of the Constitution, and he throws slavery in there as a wedge, I thought.

There's so much for me to learn about this nation. I wish i would have paid attention in school.

L'États, c'est moi!
--Barack Obama

threegirldad,
   That’s Barack XIV.

Don,
   Every time Congress takes money from you to spend on someone else, it’s a violation of the Tenth Amendment.

Thanks David. What can we do about it? I guess, vote out the bad guys, and vote in good guys. That's as far as my thinking takes me.

I really am going to learn more about this nation's Constitution, Bill of Rights, and history.

Seems the Church is either "way too right", or "way too left".
The Church needs to be the Church. Christians need to be seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness first, and then living their lives as Americans. That's how my mind set is now.
It's rough to be an American/Christian, in that sense.
And yet in so many nations, our brothers and sisters are being killed for their faith.