Ezra Klein's lack of knowledge of the U.S. Constitution

The following article appeared in yesterday's Washington Post. The author Ezra Klein attempts to explain how the individual mandate found in the new health care law is constitutionally sound. Klein reasons that, because the law as written determines that the individual mandate "is commercial and economic in nature, and substantially affects interstate commerce", coupled with the case of U.S. vs South-Eastern Underwriters Association in 1944 in which the United States Supreme Court "ruled that insurance is interstate commerce subject to Federal regulation", then the individual mandate is in fact constitutional.


Mr. Klein, I agree an individual mandate may very well be "commercial and economic in nature". It also may substantially affect interstate commerce but I have yet to find it written anywhere in the United States Constitution where the federal government has the authority to force American citizens to buy a product. The U.S. Constitution clearly states that the federal government does have the authority to regulate interstate commerce and the supreme court did rule that insurance is interstate commerce. Does that mean the federal government can force us to buy potatoes from Idaho, cars from Detroit, or apples from Washington? Are these not examples of interstate commerce? Would an individual mandate not also be "commercial and economic in nature," in these instances?

I know that our Constitution is a bit confusing to you Mr. Klein so I will do my best to simplify this. Simply defined, interstate means between the states and commerce is defined as the buying and selling of goods. Based on those definitions reason would have me believe that in order for a citizen of the United States to fall under regulation of the "interstate commerce clause" that person would have to be engaged in the act of buying or selling goods regulated by the federal government. I'm not sure about you Mr. Klein but I have always been able to tell the difference between action and inaction. I will give you a chance to wrap your mind around this and will save the 2nd Amendment and your obvious lack of knowledge regarding the tea party movement for another time.


http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/12/what_the_tea_party_wants_from.html

U.S. Constitution confusing?

Saw this on michellemalkin.com. If Mr. Klein finds our constitution confusing I would hate to see him try to follow written instructions. Sounds as if he may be one of those people they make warning labels for.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/12/30/murkowski-certified-official-winner-alaska-senate-race/

In stunning reversal, administration now defends health care insurance mandate as a tax | The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment

In this article (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/20/politics/main5324703.shtml) from CBS News last fall Pres. Obama denied that a mandate requiring Americans to purchase health insurance would constitute a tax on the American people. Now for the purpose of defending the mandate in federal court the Obama administration has apparently decided that the mandate is a tax. I honestly believe that this administration will go to any length to further their agenda. The following article explains more;

In stunning reversal, administration now defends health care insurance mandate as a tax The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment

Dominic Lamorris Whitaker last seen by mother - todaysthv.com | KTHV | Little Rock, AR

This gentleman is missing from the Arkadelphia area. He was last seen on July 4th. I would appreciate it if everyone could spread the word about this gentleman by forwarding this link to their friends. Maybe if enough people send this around we will find someone who has seen Mr. Whitaker.

Dominic Lamorris Whitaker last seen by mother - todaysthv.com KTHV Little Rock, AR

Pine Street gets new name - Arkadelphia, AR - Arkadelphia Siftings Herald

In regards to naming something in Arkadelphia after Dr. Martin Luther King it has always been my personal opinion that naming an overpass after Dr. King was lame. I think he deserved more than that, but for the board of directors to pass this without input from the citizens of Arkadelphia, as well as the business owners located on Pine Street is unacceptable. It appears there are some members of the Arkadelphia Board of Directors that have forgotten that they answer to the citizens of Arkadelpia, not the other way around.

Below the link to the Siftings Herald article is a link containing contact and term of office information for the Arkadelphia Board of Directors. For those who live in Ward 1 (Brenda Hagerich's ward) and Ward 4 (Anne Sanders' ward) the terms for these directors ends on December 31, 2010. I would encourage those who live in these wards to locate someone to replace these two directors. For those who live in Ward 2 and Ward 3 I encourage you to contact Mr. Harris and Mrs. Baldwin and remind them that they serve you and their only purpose on the board is to reflect your voice. Unfortunately their terms do not end until 12/31/2012. We should thank Mr. Hollingshead and Mr. Calhoun the only directors on the board that seem to value the voice of the people.

Pine Street gets new name - Arkadelphia, AR - Arkadelphia Siftings Herald

http://www2.cityofarkadelphia.com:8080/CityOfArkadelphia/government/board-of-directors/board-of-directors-contact-information/

Happy Birthday America

Today is the 234th birthday of our great nation. Flags will be flying, and fireworks exploding as everyone puts their patriotism on display. It is easy to show our love for our country on the 4th of July, we have done this as long as most of us can remember.

But this year as you are grilling and visiting with family and friends I want you to do something a little different. I want you to reflect on what this country means to you. I want you to reflect on what this day means to you. Then I would like to ask you to think about the state of our country today. Is this what our founding fathers intended for our country? I think most of us would agree that it is not.

Great sacrifices were made by our forefathers in order to give us this country and our liberties. Successive generations have also made great sacrifices in order for us to keep those things. Now it is our turn. The phrase “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” has been attributed to many of our forefathers. This phrase is as true today as it was over 200 years ago. We can not sit quietly on the sidelines and expect to remain a free nation. The reason this country is in the shape it is in today is because we sat quietly for too long. Now is the time for your voice to be heard, become informed and get involved.

Another Bailout?

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2010/05/24/lawmaker-introduces-b-union-pension-bailout/



The reason these pensions are in the shape they are in is because of greed and mismanagement. If this passes there will be taxpayers in this country without pensions funding the pensions of others. The taxpayers of this country have had their fill of bailouts.





Our country is broke. We presently have a $13 trillion dollar deficit. So Senator Casey please answere one question for me. Where is the money to fund this bailout going to come from?





I'm afraid any semblance of common sense in Washington is long gone.

Will Cap and Trade make Al Gore a billionaire?

While watching an episode of Glenn Beck yesterday I learned something very interesting about Al Gore. Anyone who thought that Mr. Gore was fighting global warming because of his concern for the enviroment might want to read the following articles.

It appears that if Cap and Trade legislation passes Gore stands to benefit financially through the carbon trade market. Gore's Generation Investment Management LLP is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange which began trading in 2003. The Chicago Climate Exchange began with the help of funding from the Joyce Foundation, a Chicago based charity. The Joyce Foundation under the direction of it's board of directors,which included future U.S. President Barack Obama, gave over $1 million to help fund this exchange. The Chicago Climate Exchange bills itself as the only cap and trade system for all six greenhouse gases in North America.

I would say that in the very least this is a serious conflict of interest on Gore's part. The following links are to articles describing his role as well as the roles of others in the area of global warming and cap & trade. Read the articles and you will see that Cap and Trade legislation if passed constitutes a conflict of interest for Gore, President Obama, and several others.

http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/cover031307.htm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/6491195/Al-Gore-could-become-worlds-first-carbon-billionaire.html

http://www.examiner.com/x-14143-Orange-County-Conservative-Examiner~y2010m4d27-Scandal-Obama-Gore-Goldman-Joyce-Foundation-CCX-partners-to-fleece-USA

http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/cap-and-trade-shenanigans-with-the-chicago-climate-exchange/

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=22663

http://www.examiner.com/x-25474-Tucson-Conservative-Examiner~y2009m11d28-Global-Warming-a-multibillion-dollar-scam

http://www.chicagoclimatex.com/

I have included just a few links to articles on this subject. There are many more online but I have yet to find anything about this in the U.S. mainstream media.

More on the American taxpayer's bailout of Greece

Yesterday I wrote about the bailout for Greece. I am sure that many Americans aren't aware that their tax dollars are now going to be used to assist in this bailout. Actually I have just learned this within the past couple of days. So for a little background;
In the spring of 2009 President Obama pledged $100 billion from America to help fund the International Monetary Fund or IMF for short. In May of 2009 Congress honored his request and $108 billion dollars of American taxpayer money was approved for the IMF. This occurred within months after the American taxpayers funded a $700 billion bailout of American banks and companies deemed too big to fail.
People it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that you can't spend money you don't have. Sooner or later you are going to have to pay the piper. Only an idiot would not see this. The problem here, is that Washington is full of idiots who feel as if our tax dollars are theirs to spend as they see fit and are not really concerned with having to pay the piper. Why? Because they won't have to. That task will fall to you and me, our children and our grandchildren.
Folks something has to give and that something starts with the American people. We can no longer afford to not get involved. We can no longer afford to not be informed. We have all seen how things work in Washington. That is why we have become so disillusioned and untrusting of those we have elected to represent us. That is the reason our country is in the shape it is in today. We have let this go on for way too long. The primary concern of a politician is to get reelected, not to do what is best for America or the American people. That is why we have to stop electing career politicians to represent us. That is why we have to hold those we elect accountable for their actions.
This country was founded on the belief that the government belongs to the people. It is time that we reclaim it. Before anyone reads more into that I am not talking about with violence. We all have a voice here and we need to use it. We owe it to our country, ourselves and our children.

Greece Bailout

Even though our country has approximately a $12 trillion dollar deficit our esteemed representatives in Washington voted last year to give $108 billion to the International Monetary Fund. Now it looks as if part of that money (our tax dollars) will be used to help bail Greece out of their current financial crisis. To make matters worse we will probably never get a penny of that money back. I honestly believe if you took all the common sense currently possessed by our elected officials in Washington D.C. and put it in a thimble there would still be room for a thumb.

http://www.redstate.com/brian_d/2010/05/06/no-more-us-taxpayer-funded-bailoutsfor-greece/

http://www.businessinsider.com/henry-blodget-guess-whos-paying-for-that-greece-bailout-thats-right-you-2010-5

Enough is enough. Contact your Representatives and Senators in Washington and tell them that the spending has to stop.

Arizona Immigration Law

For the past week or so I have been following all of the stories regarding the recently passed Arizona immigration law. I have read the text of the bill and for the most part it looks as if what it does is give state and local law enforcement the ability to enforce federal immigration laws.

I have watched and read the stories that say that the police will be able to stop and detain suspected illegal immigrants on suspicion alone. This is not true. Any contact that an officer has with a suspected illegal immigrant has to occur as a result of a probable cause stop of the suspect. This law is actually more stringent than most laws or rules governing police contact with the public. In regards to the accusation made by the media that Arizona state law now makes it a crime for an immigrant not to be in possession of their "papers" this is also untrue. Federal law already requires that immigrants carry immigration documents. The media has once again shown that they are irresponsible and biased which is truly unfortunate.

To those protesters and boycotters who are screaming that this is a racist and unconstitutional law; When did entering the country illegally become confined to one race? When did arresting someone for doing something illegally become unconstitutional? This group should do a little research on the law and the constitution.

Then of course we have the politicians and their comments on racial profiling. Maybe you guys should concentrate on securing our borders so that we have some idea of who is entering into our country.

We have always been a country of immigrants. So tell me, is it fair to all of those who have become US citizens or are now attempting to become US citizens, through the proper and legal procedures, to allow illegal aliens to enter and reside in this country without any fear of apprehension?

Is it fair to the citizens of this country for our federal government to continue to allow our borders to remain unsecured so that we continue to have no idea who is entering our country and their purpose for being here?

If all of the protesters, boycotters and politicians speaking out against this law are so concerned with rights then answer this for me;

What about the rights of U.S. citizens who live close to the border who have their homes burglarized, vehicles stolen, livestock slaughtered and property vandalized and littered with trash?

What about the rights of Arizona rancher Rob Krentz who was murdered last month after going to assist an illegal alien on his property?

What about the rights of Pinal County Deputy Louie Puroll who was shot last week by suspected illegal aliens transporting bales of marijuana across the desert between Phoenix and Tuscon?

Everyone speaking out against this law should familarize themselves with federal immigration statutes and the U.S. constitution, then take the time to read this new law, and maybe even put themselves in the shoes of those I mentioned above before they open their mouths because until you do, you really don't know what you are talking about.

The blame game and the U.S. financial crisis

Today representatives of Goldman Sachs appeared before the Senate to answer questions in regards to our country's current financial crisis. Although it shouldn't, it amazes me that our federal government wants to lay the blame at the feet of Wall Street for the current financial crisis. The Democrats in Congress and the Obama administration now want to pass a financial reform bill to save us from Wall Street. Yeah, that is just what we need; Congress saving us from something.

If you want to know who is to blame for the current financial mess facing our country check out
the article below.

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/who_caused_the_economic_crisis.html

Obama's bait-and-switch campaign - Norm Coleman - POLITICO.com

Although I would add that the people also do not like the unconstitutional mandate included in Obamacare I think this article captures the feelings of many Americans. Well said Mr. Coleman.

Obama's bait-and-switch campaign - Norm Coleman - POLITICO.com

Obama health-care supporters: Democrats outraged by Florida doctor who tells Obama supporters to go elsewhere - OrlandoSentinel.com

I applaud Dr. Cassell for standing up for what he believes in. America needs more like him. As Mr. Dan Evans said in this article "Doctor Jack's a true American patriot." I agree with you 100% Mr. Evans.

Obama health-care supporters: Democrats outraged by Florida doctor who tells Obama supporters to go elsewhere - OrlandoSentinel.com

Posted using ShareThis

FOXNews.com - Lawmakers Willing to Gamble on Public Anger Over Health Care

The article below from Fox News is another prime example of the arrogance of the Obama Whitehouse and some Democratic lawmakers in Washington.

Unfortunately these politicians believe that they know what is best for the American people and have forgotten that they are nothing more than a voice for their constituents and are only supposed to pass legislation that their constituents actually want.


FOXNews.com - Lawmakers Willing to Gamble on Public Anger Over Health Care

Posted using ShareThis

Congressional Dems threaten companies who complain about Obamacare costs

Below I am posting a recent article from the blog "American Thinker" involving some of the true costs of the health care legislation passed by the Democrats in Congress last week. One thing that progressives fail to understand in the pursuit of their pipe dreams is reality. Reality tells us that when the cost of doing business increases then one of the following things will happen, the increase in costs will be passed on to the consumer, companies will relocate to locations that are deemed to be "business friendly", think overseas, companies will downsize or companies will fold. In the story below we begin to see some of the early effects of this legislation on large companies. Whether you like big business or not one thing you cannot deny is that they provide employment to thousands of Americans and we rely on these companies for a large portion of the items that we consume in our society.
I am not an analyst or a psychic but I feel confident in predicting that this legislation as well as those planned in the future, like "cap and trade" and the "card check" bills will do nothing but hurt American businesses and result in higher unemployment in this country.





Congressional Dems threaten companies who complain about Obamacare costs

The Slaughter Rule is in Effect

Today 222 House Democrats voted to authorize the use of the "Slaughter Rule" aka deem and pass during voting on the health care reform bill. One of the 222 was my Congressman Democrat Mike Ross. Ross voted against the House bill last year and assured me in an email yesterday that he would vote against the Senate bill when it comes to a vote in the House in the next few days. I have to ask you Mr. Ross if you are planning to vote no as you said you were then why would you vote to authorize the use of the Slaughter Rule. I am really beginning to regret the vote I cast for you during your last election.
In my opinion the Slaughter Rule is nothing but a cowards way out. It is also unconstitutional to attempt to pass a bill in this manner but I like many others have learned that our elected representatives in Washington could care less about the U.S. Constitution or the wishes of their constituents. I have a strong feeling that they will learn exactly what their constituents think about being ignored in November.

Thoughts for the day

It is truly a sad time in the United States when;

• When our President and the Speaker of the House who are elected representatives of the people ask other elected representatives to ignore the wishes of their constituents.
• When the Speaker of the House who took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States contemplates using the "Slaughter Rule" as a means to pass an unpopular bill that would give the federal government control of 1/6 of nation's economy.
• When U.S. Representatives become so cowardly that they feel that they can hide behind the "Slaughter Rule" and then go home and tell their constituents that they didn't actually vote for the healthcare bill.
• When these same U.S. Representatives think that they're constituents are so stupid that they will believe this.
• When polititicans show more loyalty to their political parties than to those they were elected to represent.
• When those that speak out against having their liberties and the U.S. Constitution trampled on are labeled as racists, extremists, uncaring, heartless, ignorant and so on by those who disagree with them.
• When anyone would actually believe that the same government that has made a mess of Social Security, Medicare, the U.S. Postal Service, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could effectively manage something as complex as medical care for every citizen of this country.

A Lesson in Arrogance from Obama and Pelosi

We the people are now receiving a lesson in arrogance from President Obama and Nancy Pelosi. One would think that the results of recent elections especially the election of Republican Senator Scott Brown in Massachusetts, who openly ran against the president’s health care bill, would have brought them back to reality. Even though poll after poll shows that the majority of American people think this is a bad bill Obama and Pelosi are intent on ramming it through. Of course “our nations leaders” believe they know what is best for us. And according to them what is best for us is an unpopular, unconstitutional bill that they hope to pass into law by unconstitutional means.
At this time I would urge all Americans to stand up in protest of these tactics and contact their elected representatives and remind them who is in actual control of this country but unfortunately I have begun to feel that this would have no effect. Because of this I propose that we the people begin teaching our own lesson to those in Washington. This lesson should start now and should roughly consist of reminding these so called leaders that the citizens of this great country lead themselves and that elected officials are nothing more than representatives of the voice of the people. This should be followed up by the American people recognizing and supporting candidates that do realize what is meant by being a representative of the people. These candidates should also be knowledgeable of the U.S. Constitution and the limits that our Constitution places on the federal government. These candidates should realize that they are to govern by the Constitution. These candidates should also realize that it is not about what they want or what their party wants but what the people want. These candidates should be willing to overturn any legislation that has been passed that is unconstitutional. This lesson will ultimately be realized in November when those elected officials that have refused to listen to and relay the wishes of those they represent are voted out of office and replaced with the types of candidates I have described above. This lesson should be constantly reinforced.
We can remain a free republic if and only if we remain vigilant in safeguarding our liberties against those that wish to infringe upon them. We owe this not only to ourselves and our children but also to those that have fought and died to provide and ensure the freedoms that we enjoy today.

Mandatory Health Insurance- A Dangerous Road

To allow Congress to make the purchase of health insurance mandatory from private companies and to fine those that fail to purchase it is not only unconstitutional but also sets a dangerous precedent in our country.

Politicians tell us that the “commerce clause” found in the US Constitution allows this, but if you read the “clause” you will find that it gives Congress the authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations, between the states and with Indian tribes. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines commerce as “the exchange or buying and selling of commodities on a large scale involving transportation from place to place. So in order to have commerce you have to have someone buying or selling goods. If someone does not buy or sell goods then Congress does not have the authority to regulate them. We all know what it means to regulate something and nowhere does that include forcing the purchase of goods.

In regards to precedents, the federal government regulates many industries and types of business. If we are required by law to purchase health insurance or be fined or jailed because we choose not to, then what is there to stop them from forcing us to purchase other items in the future? I will tell you what is there to stop them. We The People.

Hello, Washinton. It's time to get a clue.

President Barack Obama has been in office for one year now, elected on a promise of "Change". A change from the same old politics in Washington. With this change he promised an end to partisan politics, pork barrel spending, and lack of government transparency.

In his first year in office Pres. Obama and the democrats in Congress have brought us the following things;

More government spending while our country spirals further and further in debt.

Partisan politics and pork barrel spending that have given us cap and trade and health care reform legislation that the polls show the majority of Americans oppose.

And backroom negotiations to ensure a hurried passage of this same health care legislation.

Now for a few things that we have seen over the past several months that Washington did not give us;

A Tea Party that has been ridiculed by both parties and the media, but that is now seen as more favorable to the public than either party.

The defeat of New Jersey's Democrat Governor, assisted in his re-election campaign by Pres. Obama, to a Republican candidate and the election of a Republican Governor in Virginia, both states that Obama carried during the presidential election. A slim loss of a virtual unknown conservative Republican in a New York congressional special election .

The toss up race for the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's Senate seat between health care bill supporting Democrat Martha Coakley, who was supposed to glide to an easy win, and the Republican Scott Brown who promises to vote against the bill

The announced retirements of key Congressional Democrats who supported Obama's agenda and are up for re-election this year.

The falling poll numbers of several Democrat incumbents that are currently up for re-election.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the American people are sending a message to Washington. Unfortunately those that we have sent to Washington are either too stupid or too arrogant to see it (my money is on the latter) because it is business as usual on Capitol Hill.

Test