@freepatriot americans, in this case, are right. the constitution was preceded by the articles of confederation, which proscribed any federal "government" from collecting taxes etc.
the bill of rights has only been disregarded where before, it was implicit in the very structure of young america.
i recommend you read murray rothbard's "concieved in liberty," in particular volume V, and tom woods' "who killed the constitution," if you haven't already.