This is most troubling

Ok - The Senate has passed their version of the Health Care abomination. There is lots to hate about the bill - but I will leave that to others to detail. I have not the time nor inclination to read 2,000+ pages of lawyer-speak.

There is one facet that I think does warrant mention. As I said, there are many items to dislike. But, by and large, if we, through our representatives (as much as they suck), want to impose them on ourselves - so be it.

However, in the bills is a personal 'mandate' to buy health insurance. Think about it, the Federal Government is getting ready to tell you that you must buy something. This is without precedent.

Now, some will equate this to a mandate to buy car insurance. This is fallacious on its face. Car insurance is required if, and only if, you want to drive a car. No car? No mandate.

I re-read Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution looking for one of the enumerated powers that granted the Fed the right to do this. Because, remember gentle reader, the Fed was granted a limited number of specific powers. If not mentioned, it does not belong to the Feds, but rather to the States, or to US - the people.

A number of Senators were asked what clause in the Constitution grants Congress the right for force us to buy something. There answers were both troubling and humorous at the same time. Troubling because these are our Senators - members of the 'greatest deliberative body' in the world. These clowns have no idea what the Constitution even says. Funny because it shows just how clueless they are.

Among the answers:

• Senator Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) said he was not sure if there is a “specific constitutional provision” that gives Congress the authority to mandate that all Americans have health insurance. Casey asserted, however, that the initiative was constitutional.
  
  Hey Bob-News Flash. That is the point of the question. If you can't give the 'specific provision' - that is a clue that it is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
  
  
• Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) said that Congress is has the constitutional authority to mandate that people buy health insurance in "probably the same place” that states get the power to mandate that people purchase auto insurance.
  
  Really? Really? As we have noted, the Fed is supposed to have more limited power than the States, so this argument is stupid from the start.
  
  
• Senators Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said that Congress has the authority to mandate that people buy health insurance. Feinstein added that there is no constitutional limit on Congress’ power to enact such mandates, adding that this unlimited authority stemmed from the Commerce clause of the Constitution.
  
  Good Lord, where to start. The Commerce Clause. This is the place where the Constitution gives the Fed the right to 'regulate Commerce among the several States'. The purpose was to make sure the Ohio did not try to put a tariff on goods coming from Michigan. To extend that to mean that Congress can force me to buy insurance? I don't see it. Beyond that - she says there is NO LIMIT to congressional authority. This woman is a menace. Hey Diane, if there are no limits - why not mandate that everyone buy a new car every 2 years? That sure as hell would rescue the auto industry.
  
  
• Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) said that Congress has the authority to force individual American to buy health insurance because the Constitutions says to provided for the "health, welfare and the defense of the country."
  
  Bullshit. Roland, the Constitution does not even contain the word 'Health'. Defense? Yes, it is there. Welfare? Yes - but it says to 'promote' the 'general' welfare. So, you have perverted the concept of 'welfare' - and just plain made up the idea of 'health'.
  
  
• Senator Leahy said: “I mean, there’s no question there’s authority. Nobody questions that.
  
  Ummm... not so much.
  
  
• Nancy Pelosi said: "Are you serious? Are you serious?" when asked about the Constitutional authority.
  
  Yah, bitch, we are serious.

Folks, this is a turning point in history. Congress is getting ready to completely trample on our rights. It needs to be stopped - and there is still time. If not, it will have to be challenged in court. But, with the makeup of the Supreme Court - we cannot count on the outcome.

Keep praying, writing, calling, faxing - just keep up the pressure.