Open Thread: Another Dem Offers Dubious Constitutional Justification for ObamaCare
Yesterday it was Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee. Today, it's Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. Asked by a reporter from NB sister site CNSNews.com which constititional provision authorizes Congress to require Americans purchase health insurance, Lewis first quoted the Declaration of Independence, then the Fourteenth Amendment, then just claimed that health care is a "right, not a privledge." Check out the video below the jump.
Allahpundit has some analysis of Lewis's equal protection claims:
I don’t know what he means by claiming that this is an equal protection issue, unless he’s saying that it’s somehow unconstitutional for private insurers to deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions. Not only does that theory lack a state-action component needed to bring the Constitution into it, but I assume it would be found constitutional under the Equal Protection Clause even if state action were present. Remember, not all forms of discrimination are unconstitutional: It’s perfectly okay to tax the rich more than the poor, for instance. Typically, as long as the state has a good reason for discriminating, i.e. as long as you’re not discriminating based on someone’s essential identity (race, religion, gender), it’s legal. Insurers do, of course, have a good reason to deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions — having to cover them would be prohibitively expensive — but if Lewis is so confident that that argument wouldn’t stand up in court, why on earth did we need to pass a health-care bill last year? Why wasn’t there some big progressive push instead for a class action equal-protection lawsuit by millions of uncovered people with preexisting conditions?
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Comments
the man in the Whitehouse - success or failure?
Submitted by vrwc13 on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 10:49am.
...here for CNN poll.
if you are non-white or low earner or democrat or urban dweller or oppose the Tea party...you think the man in the Whitehouse is a success!
...who'd thunk?
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
What's their next poll?
Submitted by IgnatzJFahrquar on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:31am.
Oxygen ... For it or Against it???
Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide.
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:00pm.
Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide.
hahaha
Submitted by IgnatzJFahrquar on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:50pm.
I think it was on a Penn and Teller BS episode where they went up to Hippie, Tree-hugger types soliciting donations for the cause of banning said substance. My Lord, they couldn't rip their bulky cloth shoulder bags open fast enough.
Penn and Teller may have.....
Submitted by almostacowboy on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:56pm.
....but I know that John Stossel got a bunch of New Yawkers to sign a petition to ban H20. After all, it has been known to kill millions! Anyone remember a guy called Noah?
Penn & Teller did it for a
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 1:07pm.
Penn & Teller did it for a segment on their B.S. series, Stossel did it, I seem to remember a high school kid in California did it as a science project (and fooled most of the judges), a college student in Florida did it...and those are just the ones who pulled the "ban dihydrogen monoxide" and/or "ban dihydrous oxide" petition hoax that I remember off the top of my head. I imagine many people probably have pulled this off for one reason or another. I seem to remember some professor somewhere doing this stunt as part of a sociology or psychological experiment.
Reminds me of a famous quote:
"Suppose you were an idiot. Suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." - Mark Twain
Dan, about dihydrogen monoxide
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 1:22pm.
Aboout ten or so years back, Neal Boortz announced on his radio show that the Atlanta Water System was contaminated with dihydrogen monoxide.
We in the audience got it, but many non-listeners didn't.
It caused such a stir that the head of the city's water department actually called the station.
Neal put him on the air and the guy swore up and down that there were no traces of dihydrogen monoxide anywhere in the system, and that he had the test results to prove it.
I had to pull over into a parking lot because I was laughing so hard I couldn't see to drive.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Curious...did he do this on
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 2:23pm.
Curious...did he do this on an April 1 by any chance?
Bkb,
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 6:11pm.
I honestly don't remember, as it was a long time ago, but knowing Neal, it very well could have been.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Wait a second...
Submitted by DaveInNM on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 4:11pm.
The question phrasing was, "Do you consider the first two years of the Obama administration to be a success or a failure?" and CNN's story reads: "The generation gap that surfaced in the 2008 election persists two years later," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Most people who are 50 or older say that Obama has been a failure in office; a plurality of younger Americans think his administration has been a success."
But if you look at the poll itself rating Obama's Presidency, IT says:
18-34 = N/A in all categories.
35-49 = 38% Success, 51% FAILURE, 8% Too Soon to Tell, 3% No Opinion
50-64 = 41% Success, 56% FAILURE, 2% Too Soon to Tell, 1% No Opinion
65+ = 46% SUCCESS, 42% Failure, 8% Too Soon to Tell, 2% No Opinion
< 50 = 47% SUCCESS, 45% Failure, 6% Too Soon to Tell, 2% No Opinion (???)
> 50 = 43% Success, 51% FAILURE, 5% Too Soon to Tell, 1% No Opinion (???)
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/images/01/19/rel1h.pdf (linked from their own story.)
How the hell does the 18-34 range come up with "Not Applicable" in every category, and the 35-49 range come up with the biggest margine for FAILURE over Success of all categories, and the ONLY range that gives him a larger Success than Failure rating being folks over 65 turn into "a plurality of younger Americans think his administration has been a success," and "most people who are 50 or older say Obama has been a failure in office"?
And how do the "less than 50" and "over 50", (last two,) categories make an ounce of sense given the more specific results directly above?
Their own poll results say the exact opposite of what their survey says! I am, once again, totally, drop jawed, amazed at how blatantly the left wing media will just flat out lie without an ounce of shame!
...left wing media will just flat out lie...
Submitted by vrwc13 on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 5:52pm.
...surprised?
They don't expect you to read the details, just listen to them and agree.
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
Doesn't disapppoint
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 10:50am.
I mentioned the other day where someone should show his video where he was saying "They are coming for the poor!" You could substitute that for the above video and it would amount to the same sort of nonsense.
He's confusing the part about the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness with "health" as being a right. At least the first part. He probably doesn't know what the word "liberty" stands for which is free from tyranny of the government. This health care farce legislation does exactly the opposite, makes everyone oppressed, especially the part about the IRS fining you if you don't buy their health care, and of course many MANY other reasons that it should be repealed and tossed like an empty beer can.
Lewis is just another democrat in a long line of democrats that want to control people. And to hell with common sense in his case.
-Jon
The part about his siting the
Submitted by Seashell on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:55am.
The part about his siting the preamble and the "pursuit of happiness" as a lawful reason to make people buy health insurance is nothing short of ridiculous. I am sure many other federal judges will strike it down as well.
Keep it in Context Folks!!
Submitted by scottyusmc on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 10:50am.
Once you separate the premise that you should be intelligent to be in congress, you can better understand the basis for the outrageous positions and comments spewing out of their mouths. Make no mistake, these are not smart people – and to the extent to which they go unchallenged – makes a mockery of our system of government. They feel no limit except the limit we impose on them.
Golly gee!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 10:53am.
I think that they should have a special episode of Jeopardy with "Govahmint" Lewis, "Where da flag?" Jackson-Lee, "Screech" Waters, and "Ahhh" Clyburn.
I predict that NOBODY will win, especially if the category is The Constitution.
"Drivers Licence" argument is idiotic
Submitted by Cactus Kurt on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 10:55am.
Lewis' "drivers licence" argument is idiotic. Driving is a privilege, not a right. The government does not require one to get a drivers licence. Plus, a drivers licence is not a product.
Dustbin destination?
Submitted by FaulknerFan on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 10:58am.
With fools like this and Jackson-Lee as our Leaders(?) is it any wonder that our country is headed for the dustbin of history?
Everyone has a right to healthcare as long as they
Submitted by Lipton on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:01am.
can pay for it. I agree with that.
Let's follow the logic.
Submitted by Red Jeep on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:02am.
To drive a car in the U.S. you need insurance.
So to live the U.S. you need health insurance? Is this a new requirement to be a citizen, or just to be here?
Will health insurance agents meet aliens at the border and get them to sign on the dotted line?
When will the Department of Health Insurance, DHI, police be started?
If you don't buy health insurance do you go to jail? If you go to jail does the taxpayer pay for your health needs until you get health insurance or are you billed for that, with interest?
We have to stop this vote buying through health care before we lose the finest health care in the world.
Already in the bill, Jeep. (DHI pollce)
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:08am.
Obama included his version of the "Brown Shirts" in the Healthcare bill.
Of course, they aren't called that, but the force is slated to be as large and well armed as the military.
Wonder what dat be about, yo?
Oh great!
Submitted by Red Jeep on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:27am.
How many thousands will this add to our 2 MILLION current Federal employees?
NewsBub, can you cite a source?
Submitted by IgnatzJFahrquar on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:37am.
I guess I could read the whole damn bill, but if there is somewhere on the net that you know about. Not trying to be a smarta$$. I'd just like to add this tidbit to my arsenal when I'm "debating" with the Libtards at work.
I'll wade back thru and find it, IG.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:44am.
Right now I'm going fishing, though!
Okay...so when you get back
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:41pm.
I want to know what you caught.
Were you successful? Or are you having grits and grunts for dinny?
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Worse than that!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 3:43pm.
So the fog was so bad this morning that you couldn't even see Obama's ears, so we wait till it lifts, take off, get 1/2 mile down the channel and hit a wall of fog that would make San Francisco proud!
I should have listened to the chatter on 16 as we taxied out. They were all giving "heads up" on the limited visibility in the Gulf, but nobody was even playing in the straits apparently.
Turned around, came in, and immediately hooked a huge gin and tonic at the first bar.
It was a successful day after all.
What are you, a sissy?
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 6:25pm.
I hear you about the fog.
We don't get it here often. But sometimes, and it's scary.
I used to take my FIL out at oh-dark to catch bait....ballyhoo (the ex was a dead head when it came to getting up early to fish, lazy). We'd run out the inlet, and down south about 2 - 3 miles, anchor up in about 20 feet and chum....using tiny little gold hooks. We'd fill up the live well, and be back in by about 5:00, to wake up the rest of the troops, get the boat packed, etc.
One time, we went out, (this time of year, nice flat sea after a front had gone through with the small offshore wind)....loaded up on the bait, and oh noes! wind died, and the fog rolled in. This makes it a tad dicey....there's a lovely little strip of coral right outside the inlet, 100 yards or so long, forty feet wide, and 3' deep at high tide, about a dozen boats a year rip their bottoms off on it. In this pic, it's directly to the lower left from the lighthouse. So, I (very) sloooowly head back north, carefully watching the sounder. Finally saw the lighthouse through the fog, at which point I headed east, until I find some deep water, then north, and back west to avoid that little shoal.
It should have been a pretty clear shot out the ship channel to deep water, unless, of course, you were headed north. Do you keep your boat at Garrison Bight, or somewhere else? That's not an easy channel if you can't see doodly, I'll give you that.
So tell me....where did you find this gin & tonic?
P.S. Looking at that picture, I'm reminded of what a dangerous inlet this is, I've had a few little "episodes" there. It's what they call "local knowledge required".
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Yeth, I'm a sissy. Better old than bold!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 12:00pm.
I was going out Boca Chica channel. If you get left or right too soon you are flats fishing before you know it. It was cut from solid coral. Very easy access to the straits unless you have the rare fog.
That G&T came from a marina off BC channel. Very nice.
Remember Boog Powell's?
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 12:53pm.
I know a local who ran his boat (full tilt boogie) into the Cow Key bridge, the dummy.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
OOPS.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:50am.
Try this link! Now I really have to go. I heard a splash.
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=132001
Sheriff Dipstick muzzled by prosecutors
Submitted by Hoosier Conservative on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:09am.
It seems the prosecutors in Arizona have finally caught on to what conservatives have said for days. Dipstick is giving the defense free advice and undermining the investigation against Loughner. Now he's finally being forced to put a stop to it.
"Until further notice, due to a controversy between the Sheriff's Department and the County Attorney's office, no further information reference the January 8, 2011 shooting will be released."
Maybe this little gem played a role in it...
"I've spent all my day dealing with the media as I did yesterday, so I really haven't had an opportunity today to get into that kind of detail."
So the county sheriff put in direct charge of the crime scene admits on national news that he's so obsessed with media attention he hasn't even made the time to review new evidence. And for defense attorneys everywhere, there was much rejoicing. Mission accomplished, Markos Moulitsas.
Wolf Blitzed
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:18am.
I thought it was where Wolf Blitzer was "interviewing" him and asked Dipstick about the shooter's favorite readings, including Mein Kampf and the Communist Manifesto and the sheriff said he didn't know about it, EVEN THOUGH anyone who knew how to find out the info which was apparently everyone else, could find that information with ease.
Dipstick was repeatedly shooting himself in the foot, it's about time someone put a trigger lock on him. Yeah, those words were intentional.
-Jon
I have a ten dollar bill set aside...
Submitted by Hoosier Conservative on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:21am.
that says Dipstick gets a cushy job at the DNC when this is all over.
I hear he's been nominated
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 1:09pm.
I hear he's been nominated for the "Roscoe P. Coltrane law unenforcement award".
Yeehawwww
Submitted by Iron Tigers Vet on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 1:58pm.
Buckle up Flash... we're in hot pursuit!!
Yikes!
Submitted by Seashell on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:11am.
Who advises this woman on fashion?
red commie
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:15am.
She was trying to get into the spirit of red china.
-Jon
For sure
Submitted by Seashell on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:31am.
but she could have found a "pretty" red commie dress. This one looks like someone took some red material, splattered some black paint on it, dipped it in water and let the black bleed all over the red. It's hidious IMO. Reminiscent of this one.
I think it's her BIL,
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:23am.
Omar, the tent maker who makes the dress.
Who (I mean HU) chose the color! All of the commentary on Hu's visit reminds me of Abbot and Costello for some reason.
If I couldn't laugh about these clowns, I would cry.
Looks like the curtains from
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 1:12pm.
Looks like the curtains from an old west whorehouse.
I was going to say "probably
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:30am.
I was going to say "probably Michelle Obama" but then I clicked and saw it IS Michelle Obama, LOL!
Not to worry, though, according to the media's fashion consultants, this is just another episode of her fabulous personal style.
You can take the woman out of the South Side of Chicago, but you can't take the SS out of the woman.
Right
Submitted by Seashell on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:41am.
I am sure they will fawn over this dress just as they did this one. Yuck.
~I haven't seen any close-up pics
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:40pm.
of that red dress, but it does look like she finally wore one that didn't emphasize every single flaw in her figure. If the color had been different it might have been a decent pick, aside from the cavewoman-ish assymetric bodice.
Ladies, let me ask you all....
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:47pm.
Have you ever seen MO in anything you would wear?
Seriously, she makes Sarah Ferguson look like a fashionista. The two of them actually do sort of walk the same way, kind of cowboyish, I guess I'd call it.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Hmmm, I can honestly say I
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:53pm.
Hmmm, I can honestly say I would not wear what she wears. I dont look good in womens clothing.
Women's clothing!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 3:52pm.
Dan, there are plenty of men down here who DO wear women's clothes, and even they wouldn't be caught dead in the crap MO wears.
Of course, most of them aren't as big, gawky, and masculine as she is, and they seem to have a better sense of fashion than she and her advisors do.
I yield to Blonde on this issue. She seems to know her stuff when it comes to fashion.
~Nope
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 1:44pm.
Can't think of a single thing. From the cardigans to the belts to the shorts, slacks, and truly hideous dresses, I can't think of anything I liked. She wears off-the-wall color combinations in big, splashy prints and favors strange assymetrical cuts. She's always trying to look "trendy", and I despise trendy clothes. I like a classic, tailored look.
Thee and me
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 3:03pm.
I have a closetful of "classic" suits....some of them are at least ten years old, but gorgeous. I tend to only buy Jones of New York and Kaspar ASL...like a Chanel suit, they'll be in style twenty or forty years from now.
MO and her Klingon death belts, and those awful twin sets, I've always hated them, and on THAT figure, it just enhances the junk, ewww.
Actually, I think she had a magazine cover done when she first got to the White House, where she wore a classic, sleeveless (of course) LBD. THAT I would wear. But I can't think of anything else.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Ladies
Submitted by ricklail on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 3:12pm.
When you have a hiney about the same width as the blade on a D-9 CAT it takes a tent maker to make a dress. (D-9 CAT is a bulldozer.)
~J
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 5:00pm.
I remember that cover you're talking about, that was the most flattering one I've ever seen of her. You and I complimented her on it and somebody got all, "You're going soft!" on us about it. LOL
My youngest daughter (21)
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 7:39pm.
My youngest daughter (21) likes the Klingon Belts, perhaps were getting old.
Get her some help.
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 8:22pm.
FAST.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
I can just see her saying that
Submitted by IgnatzJFahrquar on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:41am.
"You can take the woman out of the South Side of Chicago, but you can't take the SS out of the woman."
Wagging her finger back and forth along with a side to side head movement "Mmm Hmm"
Lady Gaga?
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 1:10pm.
Lady Gaga?
Border Patrol Reduced to Picking Up Trash This is what Obama and
Submitted by im41 on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:15am.
Border Patrol Reduced to Picking Up Trash This is what Obama and the looney left have our boarder security doing... the video is so fitting.Border fence canceled
Submitted by Red Jeep on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:25am.
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54175
The question I have, so far
Submitted by Barack_must_go..... on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:23am.
The question I have, so far as I've seen never asked of any Congressman. Who is going to pay the ObamaCare premium costs for the millions, upon millions of poor, mostly black ghetto dwellers in this country, when the individual part of Obama's reparations agenda takes affect in a few years? Answer: Everyone else, same old, same old.......but it's not a tax, don't you racist honky, bastards dare and refer to it as a tax.
Afterall, it's guaranteed in the preamble, and the 14th ammendment, dontcha HELL kNOw!
Barack_Must_Go.....
Happy 50th Anniversary to JFK's Inaugural Address!
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:46am.
I got you a tiny gold rocking chair for your charm bracelet.
Hope you like it!
PS: I never knew JFK had gotten a trout-pout. What a narcissist.
When Journo-list founder Ezra
Submitted by celator on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:48am.
When Journo-list founder Ezra Klein said recently that the US Constitution is confusing and impossible to understand, he didn't get it quite right. He really meant to admit that liberal democrats and progressives like him, and Jackson Lee and Lewis find the US Constitution confusing, And there are lots like them in the Congress, as we speak. They swear to uphold a Constitution they can't understand. Sure they will.
If anybody could use a good laugh,
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:53am.
check this out.
ROFLMAO!!!!!
Submitted by Seashell on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:01pm.
SoL is right everyone! You got to see this!
Seashell:
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:09pm.
I meant the hairdo and whatever the hell that clown pelt is around her neck. (OK, so it's not exactly a neck as we commonly know it)
;)
what got to me was the guy
Submitted by Seashell on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:46pm.
what got to me was the guy holding the life-size poster as a background. It was moving around and the camera goes in and out showing what it was. Made her look like a fool. The hair and clown pelt was just a plus for me! :)
Yeah, me too, I was being facetious ;)
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 3:22pm.
.
That was hilarious! It takes
Submitted by celator on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:01pm.
That was hilarious! It takes some serious practice to get to be that certifiably dumb.
Cavuto has the patience of a saint.
Pathetic!
Submitted by iveseenitall on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:01pm.
Another example of the "progressives' " pathetic attempt to give legitimacy to idiocy and ignorance. Dare not the MSM tell the truth about so many of the people who prowl the halls of Congress? --- uneducated, illogical fools who pretend to know about that which they speak. But ,alas, one of them has risen to the highest office in the land. This P.C. has to stop. Collective guilt has to stop. The sins of the fathers should no longer be wrought upon this country. Ignoring ignorance in the name of "justice" and "fairness" is bringing a once-great nation to its knees.Sad.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal" (progressive)
Border Patrol Reduced to Picking Up Trash
Submitted by im41 on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:58am.
Border Patrol Reduced to Picking Up Trash This is what Obama and the looney left have our boarder security doing... the video is so fitting.So the "pursuit of happiness" in the Constitution is what makes
Submitted by virginia republican on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:06pm.
ObamaCare constitutional, according to this clown? Well then, when the Feds make free lapdances for all males a new requirement, I'd assume that's constitutional as well.
Btw, does this idiot know the difference between requiring health insurance vs requiring car insurance? That car insurance is to protect OTHER people from what damage you might do with your car? I doubt it, just as I seriously doubt his IQ is in triple digits, or even in the 90s.
THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE HAS
Submitted by ricklail on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:09pm.
THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN FOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obama gives this Chinese commie puke a lavish dinner...
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:23pm.
...but does anyone remember how Obama treated Netenyahu?
He had to eat alone.
That should tell you all you need to know about the Comrade Chairman.
No, I don't mean China's.
Ours.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
A question for my fellow NBers
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:35pm.
Over the course of the last decade or so, it has become more and more apparent (at least to me) that Richard Nixon's "opening the door" to China maybe wasn't such a good idea after all.
In fact, in recent years, I have begun to think Nixon might have done not just us, but the whole world a favor, had he instead welded the damn thing shut.
I am starting to really see the Chinese positioning themselves to eat our economic breakfast, lunch, along with our dinner, and I think Obama just shoved them a lot closer to the table.
Anybody else feel that way?
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
~Yes
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:40pm.
.
Thanks, Bru
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 1:05pm.
LOL - I was beginning to think I was the only one who could see it.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
If you really believe in Biblical prophecy
Submitted by Iron Tigers Vet on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 2:04pm.
then you would have seen this coming. That's why this idiot will probably win again and therefore setting up the US to fall and fall hard.
...as Van Wilder said, "write that down".
ITV,
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 2:50pm.
Yep, there is a reason why America doesn't rate even a sentence in the Bible, but China, Russia and Iran figure very prominently in future events that may not be quite as far off as many might think.
Funny how so many, even those who have read it numerous times, don't seem to understand that. Or, maybe they just don't want to.
Can't exactly say I blame them, actually.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
It makes me wonder
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 3:24pm.
It makes me wonder about some of these prophecies that are out there. Some could argue that Nostradamus' quattrains have predicted things for America before(according to one show on the History Channel) such as Katrina, but some of that stuff is so vague, it could be used for just about anything.
The thing about predicting the future via prophecies a la the Bible and other sources is that if those are things that could happen, why aren't there steps to prevent them or at least minimize them especially if they have a huge impact, especially if there was a really legit way to decode what's in those prophecies?
Wouldn't some governments have tried to do that? Or would they be the kind that they WANT them to happen because it places them in power that they are in no hurry to give up?(Russia, China, Iran, etc)
It's really hard to say. There's been much made about the year 2012, but will that really happen a la the movie that came out a year or so ago called 2012? If so, where would it fit with the Revelation of the Bible? Can't see how cataclysmic events would be involved in the Tribulation as it were.
All we can do is wait and see. After the nonsense that was the Y2K, which I had taken some part of at work(boy, there was a lot of fear there!), you gotta take things with a grain of salt.
-Jon
Welcome aboard, Dave.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 4:07pm.
In 1991, I predicted that China was going to eat our lunch in the next 25 years. I have witnesses.
Anyone who was in the military and paid attention to such things could see it coming. The Clinton administration sold or gave the Chinese all of the computer technology they needed to catch up the 20 years they were behind us at the time, in about 5 years. It was amazing to watch.
We came within a day at one point, of selling the San Diego Navy yards to the Chinese Navy! One man, Jesse Helms, stopped it. We damn near gave them control of the Panama Canal, and in fact they have probably gained enough control over it now to shut it down on us.
It's like we are committing suicide when it comes to the Chinese. They are very close, or may even be already, the strongest, biggest, blue water navy in the world. When that happens, it is over. They won't even have to invade. We will need their permission to move on the high seas.
So don't even worry about the economic problems we are building for ourselves with the bastards. They'll be calling the shots long before the debt comes due.
Hey, it ain't paranoia if someone is really after you! And everybody is worried about what Sarah Palin supposedly would do? That's the least of your problems, America.
deleted
Submitted by almostacowboy on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:53pm.
.
Abusing the Constitution
Submitted by Boil It Down on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:58pm.
The absurdity of their arguments grows exponentially with their desperation. Does Lewis really believe that misrepresenting the Constitution will win the day for them? Does he really think that Americans are that uninformed and stupid? Or, perhaps Pelosi handed out a special "progressives only" Constitution while she was Speaker of the House.
Health care is not a right or
Submitted by rbosque on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 2:08pm.
Health care is not a right or a privledge, it is a good and as such must be paid for- it's not free.
John Lewis
Submitted by justbob223 on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 3:08pm.
The "D" after his name stands for "Dumbass."
As this is an Open Thread
Submitted by NevadanConservative on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 3:19pm.
I'd like to submit the following image:
http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/44879/2010376890061034863S600x600Q85.jpg
This was sent to me on my email by an excellent friend of mine, and I thought the assembled NB folks might like it.
NVCon
Of course, there is no right
Submitted by Cowboy on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 3:27pm.
Of course, there is no right to health care. Nothing can be a right if it has to be provided by someone else. Forcing anyone to provide for someone else is involuntary servitude.
The government does not have the right or responsibility to provide health care for anybody. So 'equal protection' does not apply to anyone.
And the Declaration of Independence is nice, but not law.
Lastly, it is interesting that libs erroneously cites the states requiring driving insurance, but they completely drop that topic when they don't want insurance 'discrimination'. Where is there more discrimination based on age, physical condition and history than auto insurance?
Counter Argumnent
Submitted by CobraMan on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 5:15pm.
There is a counter argument to the "equal protection" claims, and it's a part of my signature line. "The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States."
If even ONE person is exempt from the mandatory purchasing of health insurance, as the law current allows, than ALL people are exempt from the mandatory purchasing of health insurance.
Oh, and Mr. Lewis, I'm glade you mention auto-insurance mandates as it gives me an opportunity to highlight the futility of such an argument for the mandated purchase of health insurance. Auto insurance isn't mandated for people to own an automobile, it's mandated for automobiles to operate in public. If you want to use that automobile in public, you need both a license and insurance in order to do so. You can, in most states, operate that automobile on your own private property without the need for a license or insurance. The mandate is for the legal operation of that automobile in public roads, highways, ect.
You see, people are not MANDATED to purchase car insurance simply because they exist or they own a car. Those who don't have a car are not forced by law to buy insurance for a car simply because they're alive. Nor are the mandated to only operate an automobile on public roads and the like. They can still own and operate an automobile on private property without the "mandated" insurance.
In other words, the "mandate" doesn't force people to purchase insurance simply because a car they may own exists. But that is exactly what you are trying to do with health care insurance. You're trying to FORCE people to purchase something simply because they are alive. It doesn't matter if that person uses public or private health care providers or systems. You want to FORCE people to purchase something simply because they exist. That, my friend, is unconstitutional because as the 9th Amendment states: "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people" and "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
If you wish to require people to purchase federally approved insurance policies for use in FEDERALLY owned and operated health care facilities, that is you're option. But you can't force people to purchase federally approved insurance for use in PRIVATELY own and operated health care facilities.
You see, people have the RIGHT to acquire and pay for their own health care any way they see fit. You can not, in the name of equal protection, FORCE them to chose from a limited set of payment options, like mandatory health care insurance or even health care providers. That power, the power to make my own health care decisions, including payment decisions, is Constitutionally reserved to ME and NOT to the federal government! I can, if I choose, agree to delegate those payment decisions to an insurance company, but that is still MY choice to make. YOU can't make that choice FOR me.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
~Netroots scrambling to spread disinformation
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 4:55pm.
Check out this e-mail I got from the KosKids:
Yesterday, House Republicans voted to repeal the new health insurance reform law. Even though they know the law won’t actually be repealed--because Democrats hold the White House and the Senate--they voted anyway in order to appease their Tea Party base.
In response, Daily Kos is teaming up with Blue America to make House Republicans pay a political price for this grandstanding. In key districts around the country, we’re going to run a radio ad highlighting the cruelty and hypocrisy of the Republican effort to repeal health insurance reform. You can listen to a sample version of the ad, and contribute $10 to help us get the ad on the air, by following this link.
The ad makes two points:
And--
It only costs $2,500 per district for local media to pick up on this ad and produce a story on it. We know this because an allied organization, Americans United for Change, went after freshman Republican Andy Harris with a radio ad like this back in November. Even though Americans United for Change only spent $2,500 on the ad, local media picked up on it anyway. Harris took a big hit.
We’re expanding this campaign into other Republican-held districts. The ad is already produced, an advertising placement expert is lined up, communication staff is ready to contact local media, and the name of the Republican member of Congress in the ad can be changed to fit any district. All we need to make it work is your $10 contribution.
Republicans peaked in the 2010 elections. As their cruelty and hypocrisy come to light, they are quickly sliding downhill. In just two months, Democrats have erased the electoral advantage Republicans held in 2010. That trend will only continue if we capitalize on opportunities like this.
Let’s make it happen. Please, contribute $10 to run this ad in key districts.
Keep fighting,
Chris Bowers
Campaign Director, Daily Kos
HEADS UP! The Hermanator is going to be on Hannity's TV show
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 8:09pm.
...tonight.
I have no idea what time.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
anyone see drudge right now?
Submitted by Hoosier Conservative on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 10:06pm.
What is all this about creating a plan for states to go bankrupt?
Sniff, sniff. Yep, I smell yet another bailout in the works
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 10:17pm.
Never mind that we cannot afford it.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
The bankruptcy leading to
Submitted by Barack_must_go..... on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 10:40pm.
The bankruptcy leading to bailout bantied about by the libs is DOA now that we control the purse strings.
I hope the conservative faction of the Republican party seriously examine anything & everything at their disposal to come up with a plan, maybe fashioned after Obama's hybrid scheme of pseudo bankruptcy for GM & Chrysler to get the states out from under the insurmountable mountain of the unfundable liabilities of the corrupt union pensions, etc, with little or no interuptions in their day to day business.
This is the only way to circumvent or stave off the inevitable run on Washington to bail them out, with another quid pro quo, nod, nod, wink, wink underhanded deal under the guise of a jobs ' created or saved ' shovel ready $787 billion stimulus package.
As far as I'm concerned, the only thing stimulated by the first one was Chris Matthew's leg.
Barack_Must_Go.....
If the states go bankrupt, we are out of luck.
Submitted by drsamherman on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 10:25pm.
An entire state going bankrupt is such an obscene thought that I cannot imagine what the economic consequences would be. No individual investor, mutual fund, pension fund or the like would ever be willing to invest in local or state government bonds ever. Not only would this be a cataclysm, but I can easily imagine interest rates on public debt rising to the point where Jimmah Carter exited back in 1981. 18% for public works projects? There would never be enough reliable revenue for anyone to trust government with money. This would be one massive bailout for the public employee unions to enjoy perpetual benefits at the expense of every taxpayer, themseles exempted of course.
Have you heard of Ohio Republican Congressman Jim Jordan?
Submitted by Rush Fan on Thu, 01/20/2011 - 11:43pm.
I hadn't until I heard him speak on C-SPAN today at the Heritage Foundation . Needless to say, I was very impressed. Joe Biden's description of Barack Obama as "articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy" fits Congressman Jordan to a T. This is the type of Republican we need in Congress. Congressman Jordan, a two-time NCAA wrestling champion, will chair the Republican Study Committee in 2011.
I couldn't find his speech to Heritage, but here is a short VIDEO of an interview he gave today at the Heritage Foundation. He discussed repealing Obamacare, cutting spending, and championing conservative principles.
Speaking of championing conservative principles, this is how Wikipedia describes him:
Something tells me we are going to hear a lot about this young man in the years to come.
Excellent.
Submitted by NevadanConservative on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 3:56am.
Does he have a number two that can step into his shoes in his district and not leave it bereft, if he decides to give BHO a run for his scrip? (seems a shame to call it his money)
That is the one thing that has me fretting. We have a lot of new faces, West in FL, Christie in NJ, Rubio in FL.. and now this guy. I don't want us stripping these guys out of badly needed state places, but we had best get us a guy or gal and right nowish to give BHO or Rodham a fight.
And the bluebloods in the party better knock off all their damn games and get behind that guy or gal and fully, or take their privates full of fencestraddling splinters and their rino outfits and go over to the other side.
I've said it before.. we need to get things tooling up and RIGHT BLOODY NOW. Time is the ONE thing the statists cannot take from us.
My late father was a tank driver. He told me some of his buddies were at the sector lines where the Berlin Wall was being built, locked and loaded. They watched the construction of that damn thing, knowing it would have only taken a couple of trigger pulls to turn the mixers and heavy equipment into scrap. The major hold back was the Soviet tank formations in front of the construction.
We here and now have BHO and his statist thugs building a wall in this country right now ... statist ruling class and thier dependent class on one side, Americans on the other.
Republican representatives best be trotting out the sledgehammers.
rambling...
NVCon
Nevadan....... I wouldn't expect someone like Jim Jordan, who
Submitted by Rush Fan on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 5:07pm.
is only 47, to be a potential contender any earlier than 2020. That assumption is based on my optimistic belief that we will elect a Republican in 2012 who will serve two terms. Than again, I am also assuming that we don't nominate another RINO like McCain.
Mentioning your father's military days brought back memories. Like your dad, I was also an Army tank (M48s) driver (and loader and gunner) back in the 60s. We both received our training at Fort Knox, the US Armor Center.