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Rahm Emanuel said what?

posted at 3:38 pm on December 7, 2007 by Bryan
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Surely this is a misprint. Either that, or the Democrat from Illinois and self-described amateur historian needs to find a new hobby.

“As an amateur student of constitutional history and as a member of Congress, I have come to the conclusion that the Senate was a historic mistake,” said Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, the No. 4 Democrat.

The so-called “world’s greatest deliberative body,” a “historic mistake?” Eeenteresting.

I’m sure this is a joke, but pair it up with other Democrat dreams of Constitutional overhauls and it’s fair to wonder if the Democrats don’t see the Constitution itself as a historic mistake. Liberals certainly spend a great deal of time militating against the Constitution’s plain language.


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You are kidding, I hope? I mean, I know you aren’t, but Rahm said that?

Judging from the recent DailyKos “Let’s rewrite the Constitution” and other things…. they really do wish we didn’t have it. I think they would prefer England’s Parlimentary/no-constitution at all (no written one, I mean).

Vanceone on December 7, 2007 at 3:43 PM

When you can’t win any other way, try and change the rules.

But not all at once. Politburo is still a fairly emotionally charged term, dontcha know.

Wind Rider on December 7, 2007 at 3:43 PM

To be honest, since we’ve had a useless congress (of both parties) the last few years, I’ve almost been wishing we had a parliamentary system where we could just dissolve congress and start over with a new bunch. I do think it’s time for term limits.

CP on December 7, 2007 at 3:43 PM

You know, as an amateur historian, I’m beginning to think that the Democrat party is an historic mistake.

billy on December 7, 2007 at 3:44 PM

What we really need is this.

Then maybe something will get done…….and Teddy ‘hic’ Kennedy might have to find a real job.

Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 7, 2007 at 3:45 PM

Judging by the character of the people who get elected to Congress, the Representative may have a point.

AndrewsDad on December 7, 2007 at 3:45 PM

“As an amateur student of constitutional history and as a member of Congress, I have come to the conclusion that the Senate was a historic mistake,” said Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, the No. 4 Democrat.

I think he has a point as the House is usually more representative of the American people than the Senate (aka, House of Lords).

MB4 on December 7, 2007 at 3:46 PM

Wow. Pure rule by the masses. That’s the ticket.

Vizzini on December 7, 2007 at 3:47 PM

If Democrats can’t get their way, time to redesign the system.
This is just one of many reasons why the radical left (aka Democratic Party) needs to be in minority status forevah!!

..or even better, a third party.

Hening on December 7, 2007 at 3:48 PM

I’m not surprised he’d feel that way. The constitution, if you follow its rules, does tend to make establishing a Workers Paradise difficult.

Kensington on December 7, 2007 at 3:49 PM

Kind of, sort of, but not completely OT, but too funny for anyone who has not seen it:

WASHINGTON, DC – Congress is considering sweeping legislation which will provide new benefits for many Americans. The Americans With No Abilities Act (AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislative goal by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills or ambition.

“Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the competence and drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society,” said California Senator Barbara Boxer. “We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they have some idea of what they are doing.”

In a Capitol Hill press conference, House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pointed to the success of the U.S. Postal Service, which has a long-standing policy of providing opportunity without regard to performance. Approximately 74 percent of postal employees lack any job skills, making this agency the single largest U.S. employer of Persons of Inability.

Private-sector industries with good records of nondiscrimination against the Inept include financial advisors (73%), retail sales (72%), the automotive industry (70%), the airline industry (68%), and home improvement “warehouse” stores (65%). At the state government level, the Department of Motor Vehicles also has a great record of hiring Persons of Inability (63%).

Under the Americans With No Abilities Act, more than 25 million “middle man” positions will be created, with important-sounding titles but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of purpose and performance.

Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given so as to guarantee upward mobility for even the most unremarkable employees.

The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations that promote a significant number of Persons of Inability into middle-management positions, and gives a tax credit to small and medium-sized businesses that agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires.

Finally, the AWNA Act contains tough new measures to make it more difficult to discriminate against the Nonabled–banning, for example, discriminatory interview questions such as “Do you have any skills or experience which relate to this job?”

“As a Non-abled person, I can’t be expected to keep up with people who have something going for them,” said Mary Lou Gertz, who lost her position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint , Michigan , due to her lack of any discernible job skills. “This new law should really help people like me.” With the passage of this bill, Gertz and millions of other untalented citizens will finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Said Senator Ted Kennedy: “As a Senator With No Abilities, I believe the same privileges that elected officials enjoy ought to be extended to every American with no abilities. It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each and every American citizen, regardless of his or her adequacy, with some sort of space to take up in this great nation.”
- The Onion

MB4 on December 7, 2007 at 3:50 PM

I’m not surprised he’d feel that way. The constitution, if you follow its rules, does tend to make establishing a Workers Paradise difficult.

Kensington on December 7, 2007 at 3:49 PM

Its not the workers’ paradise I’m afraid of; its the non workers’ paradise.

Labamigo on December 7, 2007 at 3:53 PM

Checks and balances just gets in the way of the secular socialist utopia, don’t you know.

WasatchMan on December 7, 2007 at 3:55 PM

It’s possible that Rahm Emmaneul’s mother might consider Rahm to have been a huge mistake, herself.

pistolero on December 7, 2007 at 3:56 PM

Rahm Emanuel is not to be trusted as a historian.

Or anything else, for that matter.

ReubenJCogburn on December 7, 2007 at 3:59 PM

I just love that these liberals have no knowledge of history or why the senate is even there in the first place but because they can’t shove their political agenda through it, the whole thing needs to be re-done

DUMMIES

Defector01 on December 7, 2007 at 4:01 PM

Hey Rahm, thanks for admitting your a member.

fogw on December 7, 2007 at 4:03 PM

Said Senator Ted Kennedy: “As a Senator With No Abilities,

Snort…

provide each and every American citizen, … with some sort of space to take up in this great nation.”
- The Onion

MB4 on December 7, 2007 at 3:50 PM

… coffee spraying out of nose.

peski on December 7, 2007 at 4:04 PM

It may be more complicated than that, the guy is no idiot.

He’s probably talking about the role of the Senate as the chamber that represents the states vis-a-vis the House of Representatives, which represents the people.

Also, take into account the fact that other healthy democracies have single-chamber Legislative Powers.

I actually don’t agree with him, but he should be given a fair analysis…

Baphomet on December 7, 2007 at 4:04 PM

One party controlling one branch of government to rule them all?

And in the Leftness bind them?

So, who’s Sauron? SOROS!

Frozen Tex on December 7, 2007 at 4:06 PM

Preparing the way for Hillary Chavez.

KelliD on December 7, 2007 at 4:08 PM

Asked what it was like to work with Mr. Reid, Mr. Cheney said: “Difficult. He’s — I’ll leave it at that. He’s difficult.”

Too bad he didn’t finish his thought……….

Mallard T. Drake on December 7, 2007 at 4:10 PM

Progressives. Socialists. They are never happy until they can run every aspect of your life. Typical Democratic Party “we only need to win once” attitude.

Dusty on December 7, 2007 at 4:10 PM

I actually don’t agree with him, but he should be given a fair analysis…

Baphomet on December 7, 2007 at 4:04 PM

Unfortunately, the author of the article didn’t follow up on his statement to find out WTF Emanuel is trying to say. The author’s lack of follow up on such an outrageous statement is just about as outrageous. But,…….it is the NY Slimes.

Mallard T. Drake on December 7, 2007 at 4:13 PM

Representative John Yarmuth, Democrat of Kentucky [said] “We all came here with mandates to change the country.”

That’s sorta why the Senate was created – to slow down those ever-hasty biennial impulses.

eeyore on December 7, 2007 at 4:17 PM

Mark Steyn has suggested the same thing.

RobCon on December 7, 2007 at 4:17 PM

the senate was a concession to the smaller states at the time of the drafting of the constitution.

lorien1973 on December 7, 2007 at 4:18 PM

As a member of Congress I can believe he thinks the Senate was a mistake. It stands between him and the naked power that comes from stuffing ballot boxes

Is this the same part of constitutional history that proves the electoral college was a mistake?

If only we had the Clintonista proposed Council of Wise Elders to allocate proportional votes based upon minority status we would not have the illegal alien problem today. With proportional votes they wouldn’t have to import ballot box stuffers and the proportional voters could weight the Senate elections to give the desired outcome.

entagor on December 7, 2007 at 4:19 PM

Mark Steyn has suggested the same thing.

RobCon on December 7, 2007 at 4:17 PM

I don’t know the reference you allude to, but he writes for a Canadian newspaper, so he may be referring to the Canadian Senate, which is an appointed body, and almost completely useless.

Frozen Tex on December 7, 2007 at 4:26 PM

What we really need is this.

Then maybe something will get done…….and Teddy ‘hic’ Kennedy might have to find a real job.

Nope. Because Massachusetts legislature is nearly all Democrat. The Swimmer would continue to get elected time and time and time and time and time again.

crazy_legs on December 7, 2007 at 4:26 PM

Actualy it was the CHANGE in the way we select the Senate that was the mistake.

The Senate was there to represent the States and to put a check on the Federal Government becoming too powerful…

The idea that we pay MUCH more in Fed taxes, than State taxes (who are supposed to provide our services) was NOT what the founding fathers intended… and the Senate was supposed be the impediment to a naked power grab by a too powerful Central Government…

If I was in power, I’d start a national referendum on whether we want to go back to the old way or not.

Romeo13 on December 7, 2007 at 4:39 PM

Of course the deemoc-rats see the Constitution as a mistake. They think only leftists/communists/liberals should be allowed to run the country unopposed – period.

countywolf on December 7, 2007 at 4:46 PM

[lorien1973 on December 7, 2007 at 4:18 PM]

A concession in the same sense that the Bill of Rights was a concession to those who didn’t think the Constitution itself was sufficient in preventing the majority from trampling on the rights of the minority.

Dusty on December 7, 2007 at 4:47 PM

The popular election of senators was a mistake…that one decision seriously imbalanced congress. One amendment, among many candidates, that should never have been made…

Ochlan on December 7, 2007 at 4:49 PM

Maybe he wants to repeal the 17th Amendment and meant to say:

“As an amateur student of constitutional history and as a member of Congress, I have come to the conclusion that the [direct election of the] Senate was a historic mistake,” said Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, the No. 4 Democrat.

Buy Danish on December 7, 2007 at 4:55 PM

Other than not knowing US Constitutional history, which comes with the territory when talking about Democrats, it was the Seventeenth Amendment which was a mistake. It effectively neutered the sovereign States and made them hand maidens to Federal Mandates. The unfunded mandate and the federtalization of everything followed. The notion that the federal government can do everything sank with Katrina.

The Seventeenth Amendment produced permanent Senators like Botoxer and Schumer and a host of other lifer Senate turkeys — that was a terrible mistake.

tarpon on December 7, 2007 at 4:59 PM

Buy Danish on December 7, 2007 at 4:55 PM
tarpon on December 7, 2007 at 4:59 PM

T’was what I was getting at ;-)

Ochlan on December 7, 2007 at 5:03 PM

The author’s lack of follow up on such an outrageous statement is just about as outrageous. But,…….it is the NY Slimes.

Exactly! The average Times reporter woudl surely also like to prevent the Senate’s from impeding progress towards the socialist utopia. He’d see no need for a follow-up.

Kensington on December 7, 2007 at 5:03 PM

Folks. Please.

Dontcha think it’s just possible that Emanuel said that with a ;-)

Or do we assume that the NYT is competent and never takes people out of context?

Karl on December 7, 2007 at 5:07 PM

Dontcha think it’s just possible that Emanuel said that with a ;-)

It only works as a joke because of the nugget of truth, that the Democrats don’t care for much for democracy when it gets between them and and expanded nanny state. ;-)

Kensington on December 7, 2007 at 5:10 PM

Democrats hate the Constitution. Proof?…”living breathing document” used in conjunction with foreign law etc. by liberal Supreme Court justices. Also, anyone who says the 2000 election was stolen has to hate our system of government. The election process and legal system in 200 worked perfectly (at least exactly as it should have), and I would be saying this had they sided with Gore as well. The 2nd Amendment means nothing to them. They have completely distorted the establishment clause to attack religion. The list goes on and on and on.

davenp35 on December 7, 2007 at 5:18 PM

I’ve spent a lot of time in smaller states (like Wyoming), and losing their Senators strips them of effective representation in the US Government.

I think they want a centralized Federal government and abolish any real state power. It follows their pattern of behavior.

And let me just say that the Senate has saved our bacon as far as crazy Democrat ideas circa 2006 goes.

Nethicus on December 7, 2007 at 5:31 PM

What do you expect from a democrat ? I know they usually trace their lineage back to Jacksonian times. They have been going downhill ever since then. That criminal enterprize party really shown through just before the Civil War and during the Civil War ( note the ‘Copperheads’) and of course, ” T A M M N Y – H A L L “.

oldelpasoan on December 7, 2007 at 5:33 PM

Since no one else has…

Article I, Section 1:

All legislative power herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Article I, Section 3:

The Senate of the United States shall be compsed of two Senators from each state, [chosen by the Legislature thereof,]* for six years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

*Changed by the first paragraph of the 17th Amendment.

Maybe we shouldn’t directly vote for the Senators, but it is certainly there in the Constitution.

VolMagic on December 7, 2007 at 6:13 PM

it’s fair to wonder if the Democrats don’t see the Constitution itself as a historic mistake.

It’s fair, but also a waste of time considering everyone knows it’s true.

SouthernGent on December 7, 2007 at 6:41 PM

If the Dumbs take office, Washington Mall will become Red Square.

madmonkphotog on December 7, 2007 at 7:04 PM

This from a guy who’s Party chose a jackass as their mascot?

Brilliant, Rahm. Absolutely brilliant. [/sarcasm]

.

GT on December 7, 2007 at 7:18 PM

Article I, Section 3:

The Senate of the United States shall be compsed of two Senators from each state, [chosen by the Legislature thereof,]* for six years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

*Changed by the first paragraph of the 17th Amendment.

Maybe we shouldn’t directly vote for the Senators, but it is certainly there in the Constitution.

VolMagic on December 7, 2007 at 6:13 PM

Yes, a repeal of the 17th Amendment would be a start.

eanax on December 7, 2007 at 10:38 PM

He is such a klintonoid loser. Break out the Preparation H, maybe he’ll go away.

Zorro on December 7, 2007 at 11:20 PM

Is this the same part of constitutional history that proves the electoral college was a mistake?

. . .

entagor on December 7, 2007 at 4:19 PM

Whenever I meet someone raging against the electoral college, I tell them that, on that reasoning, we should also abolish the Senate, as it gives disproportional weight to smaller (in population) states like my own, Oregon. That usually shuts them up.

Tzetzes on December 8, 2007 at 6:51 AM

Judging from the recent DailyKos “Let’s rewrite the Constitution” and other things

Here in Pennsylvania, it’s the conservatives who are pushing for a state constitutional convention. They’re nuts.

rightwingprof on December 8, 2007 at 8:13 AM

The Americans With No Abilities Act (AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislative goal by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills or ambition.

This could be something. After all, throughout the years, too many Americans who possess real skills or ambition to at least try have been passed over for promotions, have not been hired, or have been fired to make room for Americans who lack skills and/or ambition.

The False Dervish on December 8, 2007 at 7:36 PM

BTW-I hope that Emanuel’s finger is clean.

The False Dervish on December 8, 2007 at 7:37 PM

“Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer!”

If the Democrats can only centralize everything into one people, one empire, one leader then everything will be so much simpler and efficient. None of this messy and inefficient disagreement, no barriers to the dictates of the Supreme Hillary.

Sieg Heil!

Tantor on December 9, 2007 at 12:00 PM

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