In doing so, the Court characterized the distinction between direct and indirect effects of intrastate transactions upon interstate commerce as "a fundamental one, essential to the maintenance of our constitutional system." ''Id.'' at 548. Activities that affected interstate commerce directly were within Congress' power; activities that affected [[interstate commerce]] indirectly were beyond Congress' reach. ''Id.'' at 546. | In doing so, the Court characterized the distinction between direct and indirect effects of intrastate transactions upon interstate commerce as "a fundamental one, essential to the maintenance of our constitutional system." ''Id.'' at 548. Activities that affected interstate commerce directly were within Congress' power; activities that affected [[interstate commerce]] indirectly were beyond Congress' reach. ''Id.'' at 546. |