And the people should have answers ready to refute claims of “general welfare” (a Madison quote or two can kill that argument) or inter-state commerce (as that only allows for regulation of the commerce, itself, not the commercial objects). After that, the Congress-critter will be left silent, since there is nothing else.

progressoverpeace on August 15, 2009 at 8:46 PM

A better and more modern schooling would be to reacquaint obambi or the congresscretter with Heller vs DC. The interesting thing from that ruling was a grammar lesson on explanatory clauses and their effect on the meaning of the sentence. The so called general welfare clause is an explanation of the why the federal government needed the power to tax (a hotly debate topic as I recall).

“The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; “

And when will you ask your congressman to repeal Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security?

bschmalfeldt on August 16, 2009 at 1:09 PM

When they refund the taxes they’ve confiscated from me for more than 20 yrs plus interest.

W A T E R L O O

Draft Joe the Plumber, he had it right all along.

johnnyU on August 16, 2009 at 8:58 AM

Here’s where you get the chance to EXPLAIN that ridiculous bullshit.

And when will you ask your congressman to repeal Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security?

Make 200% of the poverty level ($21,660 for 1 person, $44,100 for a family of 4) and you have to pay up to 5% of income for health insurance ($1083 for an individual, $2205 for a family of 4). Make 400% of the poverty level ($43320 individual, $88200 for a family of 4) and have to pay up to 10% of income ($4332 for an individual, and $8820 for a family of 4) for health insurance.

The bill also mandates that you buy coverage (page 167), and that the most expensive coverage can cost no more then double the least expensive policy (therefor, a single 60 year old 4 pack a day smoker pays twice what a single healthy 18 year old pays for insurance = increased rates for young health people). People MAY want insurance, but they WILL scream at what they have to pay for it. I think when Obama say “affordable” they hear “free”.

I don’t think this poll is really legimitate [sic], since only a small population would ever be so involved they know what’s in all the bills.

But, whatever.

AnninCA on August 15, 2009 at 9:53 PM

Just remember then, that polls about the Iraq war are bogus too. Technically, the only people who hold an informed opinion are people on the ground in Iraq. Which is probably not too far away from the truth. But then, other than a few left wing activist “veterans” with an axe to grind, people on the ground in Iraq said it is a noble mission.

And now consider the implication:

An entire generation of America grew up being lied about the Iraq war by people like, well like you, Ann.

Are you atoning for something by pointing out that opinion polls are objects of activist manipulation?

Norman Mattoon Thomas (November 20, 1884 – December 19, 1968) was a leading American socialist, pacifist, and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1911. As a candidate for President of the U. S. , Norman Thomas said, in a 1944 epoch speech: “The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of “liberalism”, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened..” He went on to say: “I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democratic Party has adopted our platform.”

Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Biden & gang… Socialist to the core.

1. ASK REV, WRIGHT
2. ASK THE MAN THAT REFERS TO CAUCASIANS AS “WHITE FOLK”
3. ASK THE MAN THAT REFERED TO HIS WHITE GRANDMOTHER AS A RACIST

ENOUGH SAID

Thank you, a$$hats!

Remaining with the Napoleonic period I would prefer a Jena or Austerlitz for the present rulers of our nation. If they were on the losing side, of course. It would be more exciting to watch.

But by not emphasizing that Obama makes it look as if this will pay for itself. No one buys that. No one buys that it won’t add to the defecit and if there hadn’t been a useless stimulus plan passed he would have a hell of a lot more credibility on that front. All his mistakes aside, the media are not helping.

CrankyIndependent on August 16, 2009 at 12:18 AM

I would agree on the idiotic stimulus plan, but if you’ll remember back in February the media were in their usual Obama Cheerleaders mode: this dynamic young president had to have his legislative victory. They were unhelpful in that they weren’t really willing to delve too deeply into what a bloated monstrosity the “stimulus” was. Same with the House health care bill.

As for tax policy, “soak the rich” has a definite populist appeal, but it’s lousy for economic growth.

One thing Obama has been very stupid about is being unnecessarily vague about his tax policies. From day one he should have talked about raising taxes on the wealthy. Should have been part of every townhall, should have been every speech on this issue from the jump. People are not thrilled with the top 5% right now. The bank bailouts and other corporate welfare makes tax cuts for the wealthy a particularly popular idea right now, even Rasmussen has shown a majority of folks think thats a good way to pay for healthcare.

CrankyIndependent on August 16, 2009 at 12:18 AM

Obama could confiscate the assets of every person in the country with a net worth of over a million dollars, and it wouldn’t pay for his schemes. Plus, it would have to be a one-off deal.

ddrintn on August 16, 2009 at 12:10 AM

One thing Obama has been very stupid about is being unnecessarily vague about his tax policies. From day one he should have talked about raising taxes on the wealthy. Should have been part of every townhall, should have been every speech on this issue from the jump. People are not thrilled with the top 5% right now. The bank bailouts and other corporate welfare makes tax cuts for the wealthy a particularly popular idea right now, even Rasmussen has shown a majority of folks think thats a good way to pay for healthcare.

But by not emphasizing that Obama makes it look as if this will pay for itself. No one buys that. No one buys that it won’t add to the defecit and if there hadn’t been a useless stimulus plan passed he would have a hell of a lot more credibility on that front. All his mistakes aside, the media are not helping.

Exactly. Why is it a “dirty word” to the majority. You only see one type of story in the American media, yes even CNN and MSNBC about single payer, horror stories. Lots of people don’t think single payer is horrible in the nations that have it. Majorities even based on polling on the issue. But anectdotal experiences within a huge system are propogated as “single payer.” Even if you think it’s a bad idea you can’t claim the presentation of single payer or universal systems in general has been positive or even balanced.

CrankyIndependent on August 16, 2009 at 12:02 AM

Same could be said for all the “horror stories” about US health care. The majority seem happy with the care they receive, though.

I think people are suspicious of Utopian schemes. It’s not as if this country has been completely laissez-faire in its health care over the past 50 years. There is a dishonest denial among single-payer advocates about the inevitable trade-off that comes with a single-payer system. There’s the illusion that we can have it all, with no pain, with everyone getting exactly the care they need, with no higher taxes and no increased deficits and no chronic debt such as afflicts the NHS. People don’t really buy that.

There’s a good reason for that: single-payer is a dirty word to the majority, and it is anathema to suggest that Obama’s proposals would ever lead to such a thing. That’s “fear-mongering”.

ddrintn on August 15, 2009 at 11:58 PM

Exactly. Why is it a “dirty word” to the majority. You only see one type of story in the American media, yes even CNN and MSNBC about single payer, horror stories. Lots of people don’t think single payer is horrible in the nations that have it. Majorities even based on polling on the issue. But anectdotal experiences within a huge system are propogated as “single payer.” Even if you think it’s a bad idea you can’t claim the presentation of single payer or universal systems in general has been positive or even balanced.

How many positive stories on single payer healthcare have you seen on TV. I have not seen one.

CrankyIndependent on August 15, 2009 at 11:55 PM

There’s a good reason for that: single-payer is a dirty word to the majority, and it is anathema to suggest that Obama’s proposals would ever lead to such a thing. That’s “fear-mongering”.

The media aren’t doing anything to tear down Obama in the health care debate. Most of what I’ve been hearing and seeing from the MSM are reports of unruly, irrational mobs attempting to drown out any rational discourse on the subject, while Obama floats above it all armed with his nonpareil proposals.

How many positive stories on single payer healthcare have you seen on TV. I have not seen one.