Last Tuesday, the Independent voters of Massachusetts unleashed their frustration with the Obama administration by electing a Republican to a seat held by the Democrats for almost 50 years. Republicans should not think that the Massachusetts win means voters have seen the light and are returning to the GOP. Remember, in the bay state Democrats out number Republicans 3 to 1 and Independents outnumber the Democrats 2 to 1.
Senator-elect Scott Brown’s win is a backlash against the Democratic Party on the national level no matter how the White House tries to spin it. Independent voters have always been conservative when it comes to fiscal issues and they aren't too keen for big government. In 1994, Independents and soft partisans were tired of the tax and spend liberals in DC and were not so sure about “HillaryCare” (sound familiar?) so they voted in the GOP.
Mr. Brown’s win should make the remaining Democratic senators who are up for re-election this year quiver. They may have the support of their base but the Independent voter is watching and will be out in force. At this point, the GOP should be able to hold on to most of their open seats. The states of Missouri, Ohio and New Hampshire could be in play but right now the GOP candidates have a strong lead in each race.
Senators Boxer (CA), Reid (NV), Lincoln (AR), Bayh (IN), Landrieu (LA), and Specter (PA) are all in trouble. Senator Boxer only has a 46 percent favorable rating and Senator Specter will face challenges in his own primary. Senator Bayh comes from a conservative state but with his record he could win again. Senator Lincoln has voted against the will of the people one too many times and Senator Landrieu was bought off, again defying the will of the people of her state.
Right now Senators Murray (WA), Wyden (OR) and Feingold (WI) don't have much competition but if Massachusetts can go red, then so can they. The seats of New York, Delaware, Illinois and Colorado currently have senators who were appointed so this will be the first time they will face the people. It’s possible that we will see GOP pick ups in at least Delaware, Illinois, and Colorado.
It's easily conceivable that the GOP will regain control of the House and could pick up enough seats in the Senate for a 50/50 split. With the wrath of the independent voter on hand, Democrats might actually have to work for re-election.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Get ready for a Constitutional throw down
As Congress gets ready to work on a behind closed doors compromise health care bill, one that will merge the House and Senate bills, lawyers and attorney generals across the country are gearing up for a constitutional throw down. Two issues that are being looked at are the individual mandate and the sweetheart deals.
The first issue the Supreme Court will have to deal with is the mandate that an individual purchase coverage. The federal government does not have authority to force a citizen to purchase a good or service. When President Clinton tried to pass health care legislation in 1994, which included a mandate for every citizen to purchase insurance, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) weighed in on the issue stating “The government has never required people to buy any good or service as a condition of lawful residence in the United States…”
The Supreme Court has already weighed in on the issue in the cases of United States v. Lopez (1995) and United States v. Morrison (1995). In both cases, the high court “it was outside the reach of Congress’s Commerce power.” The Supreme Court rejected Congress’ argument that they had the power to regulate any and all activities by an individual. The health care bill with its mandate goes against this ruling. The Commerce clause does give Congress the authority to spend money but it does not give them the authority to tell an individual how they can spend their money.
A reporter with CNSNews.com recently asked two Democratic senators what “specific part of the Constitution authorizes Congress to mandate that individuals must purchase health insurance.” Here are the answers and they are mind-boggling. Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) stated the U.S. Constitution gives authority to the government “to provide for the health, welfare and the defense of the country." But as CNSNews.com pointed out, the word “health” is not mentioned in the Constitution, not even once. Burris’ Communications Director James O’Connor tried to help his boss out by saying the senator was referring to the Preamble of the Constitution, which covers the “general welfare.” Again, the word health is never mentioned.
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) who couldn’t pinpoint the specific location of the Constitution that authorizes Congress to mandate such a purchase compared mandating a citizen to purchase health care to registering for selective service. The senator said that making men sign up for the draft was “necessary for the functioning of the government over the past several years.” Forcing people to buy insurance is not necessary for the government to function.
The second issue that the Supreme Court will have to deal with is the constitutionality of “sweetheart” deals that were granted to certain states just to secure their votes. The most famous one being the Nebraska deal made with Senate Ben Nelson that will exempt Nebraska from having to cover the increased cost from the expansion of Medicaid. That cost will be covered by the remaining 49 states some of which are hurting financially and can’t afford to take on anymore expenses. The 14th amendment of the Constitution provides equal protection under the law. Giving some states a sweetheart deal to obtain their vote, defies that amendment. Governors and Attorney Generals in at least 13 states are arguing that the treatment some states are getting violates the 14th amendment.
Our current leaders, it appears, have forgotten what the Constitution says they can and cannot do. Congress has the authority to regulate economic activity that an individual chooses to engage in but they do not have the authority to mandate that an individual engage in the activity in the first place.
If Congress attempts to use the Commerce clause as its “legal” way to make us buy insurance, then what’s next? Do they make us buy a Toyota Hybrid each year, or require us to buy energy-efficient appliances?
In the case of Marbury vs. Madison (1803), Chief Justice John Marshall wrote, “The powers of the legislature are defined and limited; and that those limits may not be mistaken, or forgotten, the Constitution is written." When Speaker Pelosi was asked if forcing Americans to purchase insurance was constitutional, her response was, “Are you serious?” Well, yes, Madame Speaker, we are serious.
The first issue the Supreme Court will have to deal with is the mandate that an individual purchase coverage. The federal government does not have authority to force a citizen to purchase a good or service. When President Clinton tried to pass health care legislation in 1994, which included a mandate for every citizen to purchase insurance, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) weighed in on the issue stating “The government has never required people to buy any good or service as a condition of lawful residence in the United States…”
The Supreme Court has already weighed in on the issue in the cases of United States v. Lopez (1995) and United States v. Morrison (1995). In both cases, the high court “it was outside the reach of Congress’s Commerce power.” The Supreme Court rejected Congress’ argument that they had the power to regulate any and all activities by an individual. The health care bill with its mandate goes against this ruling. The Commerce clause does give Congress the authority to spend money but it does not give them the authority to tell an individual how they can spend their money.
A reporter with CNSNews.com recently asked two Democratic senators what “specific part of the Constitution authorizes Congress to mandate that individuals must purchase health insurance.” Here are the answers and they are mind-boggling. Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) stated the U.S. Constitution gives authority to the government “to provide for the health, welfare and the defense of the country." But as CNSNews.com pointed out, the word “health” is not mentioned in the Constitution, not even once. Burris’ Communications Director James O’Connor tried to help his boss out by saying the senator was referring to the Preamble of the Constitution, which covers the “general welfare.” Again, the word health is never mentioned.
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) who couldn’t pinpoint the specific location of the Constitution that authorizes Congress to mandate such a purchase compared mandating a citizen to purchase health care to registering for selective service. The senator said that making men sign up for the draft was “necessary for the functioning of the government over the past several years.” Forcing people to buy insurance is not necessary for the government to function.
The second issue that the Supreme Court will have to deal with is the constitutionality of “sweetheart” deals that were granted to certain states just to secure their votes. The most famous one being the Nebraska deal made with Senate Ben Nelson that will exempt Nebraska from having to cover the increased cost from the expansion of Medicaid. That cost will be covered by the remaining 49 states some of which are hurting financially and can’t afford to take on anymore expenses. The 14th amendment of the Constitution provides equal protection under the law. Giving some states a sweetheart deal to obtain their vote, defies that amendment. Governors and Attorney Generals in at least 13 states are arguing that the treatment some states are getting violates the 14th amendment.
Our current leaders, it appears, have forgotten what the Constitution says they can and cannot do. Congress has the authority to regulate economic activity that an individual chooses to engage in but they do not have the authority to mandate that an individual engage in the activity in the first place.
If Congress attempts to use the Commerce clause as its “legal” way to make us buy insurance, then what’s next? Do they make us buy a Toyota Hybrid each year, or require us to buy energy-efficient appliances?
In the case of Marbury vs. Madison (1803), Chief Justice John Marshall wrote, “The powers of the legislature are defined and limited; and that those limits may not be mistaken, or forgotten, the Constitution is written." When Speaker Pelosi was asked if forcing Americans to purchase insurance was constitutional, her response was, “Are you serious?” Well, yes, Madame Speaker, we are serious.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
