The amendments, that for example, give the government the power to create programs such as social security (Amendment 16)
There is nothing in that amendment that states that the government can create social security. Just about levying an income tax and not having to give the money to the states.
Or we get into topics like the Constitution permiting the repealment of the second amendment, entirely legally and under the system the founding fathers set up. "No!" says the tea partier. "We can't do this things! These things weren't intended by the founding fathers! They wrote the constitution specifically as they did as a guidepost for this country!"
Your wrong. A tea-partier would not say that we can't get rid of the 2nd. A tea-partier would argue with you though on why shouldn't get rid of it. Theres a big difference between saying we can't do something and we shouldn't do something.
As to the air-force, well it may be unconstitutional. But the great thing about the constitution is it provides a mechanism for that challenge. If you believe the air force is unconstitutional, why not take the matter to federal court to find out.