Protest a health care town hall; more scenes from the counterinsurgency

By Michelle Malkin  •  August 4, 2009 08:53 AM

Tons of readers are asking where to find a comprehensive list of congressional health care town halls so they can get in the game.

Tea Party Patriots can point you in the right direction:

Get going!

***

Blue Dog Steve Driehaus, a Democrat congressman from Ohio who voted for cap-and-tax and the stimulus boondoggle, gets an earful at his local health care town hall meeting. Doug Ross and Jim Hoft have pics, vids, and reports.

More coming…

A “listening session” hosted by Rep. Steve Kagen in Green Bay, WI turns rowdy:

***

Remember to set aside the date: August 22. Nationwide Recess Rally. Be there.

Posted in: Health care, Tea Party

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Comments


  1. #1
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:00 am, madmonkphotog said:

    I’m saving my pennies to go to San Antonio for the Tea Party Express in September. There is much work to be done to stop both healthscare and crap ‘n tax.

    No rest for the patriotic.

  2. #3
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:04 am, corkie said:

    I like the idea of providing a presence at these meetings but don’t think it’s necessary for groups to shout down anyone for an extended period of time.

    Leave that mindlessness to Code Pink.

  3. #4
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:16 am, rplatt said:

    And meanwhile, Schumer is preparing for “reconciliation”. These leftist Democrats had better stop and think about their actions and ask themselves why the rest of us should care about the will of the people, the democratic process, and the rule of law if they don’t. They are treading on very thin ice and could easily destroy the Republic.

  4. #5
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:20 am, rplatt said:

    I like the idea of providing a presence at these meetings but don’t think it’s necessary for groups to shout down anyone for an extended period of time.
    Leave that mindlessness to Code Pink.

    I understand your position but do you really believe anything less will have any impact on these left wing ideologues?

  5. #6
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:23 am, Ignatius Reilly said:

    The horrors of government run healthcare were clearly illustrated last night in a CBS news story about a Marine hero who was horribly injured and then had to fight again to survive the VA’s incompetence and indifference:

    Wounded Marine Fights VA for Care

  6. #7
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:24 am, stillontheroad said:

    corkie said:

    In a different time I would agree with you but, this is not that time. I believe, because I have felt this way for years, this has been building up for a long time. People are fed up with being told whats good for them, we cannot think for ourselves? People are fed up with overspending in Washington when we folks have to make ends meet and keep the checkbook balanced. People are fed up with being told we must pay more in taxes to support Civil Servants that really do not do much. People are fed up with being told they make too much to receive a grant to send their children to College when others that have not worked hard a day in their lives and/or are not here legally are given a free pass – even though they flunk out the first year. The list goes on and on -

  7. #9
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:35 am, Socky said:

    Obama Culties tried to crash a Long Island tea party, but then they got high and wandered away.

  8. #10
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:36 am, Uplander said:

    corkie, consider this


    “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
    Barry Goldwater, 1964

  9. #11
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:37 am, granite said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:24 am, stillontheroad said:

    Well said.

  10. #12
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:37 am, Ignatius Reilly said:

    IMO, it is important that some rational critique emerge from all the noise we are making.

    BUT, it is the noise itself that gets the headlines and is crucial to stopping Obama’s momentum. Enraged citizens confronting their congress critters is great media.

  11. #13
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:39 am, bradley said:

    There’s a Health Care town hall meeting in Brunswick, Georgia on Wednesday, August 5th, at the College of Coastal Georgia campus from 4:30-5:30, featuring Congressman Jack Kingston (R). Come one, come all. Kingston is holding about five town halls that day throughout south Georgia.

  12. #14
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:51 am, zyzzyg said:

    Should these people continue to act ‘tumultuously’ they run the risk of getting arrested, and they aren’t even in their own homes, or front porches. Remember, publicly rude and disorderly behavior can result in being arrested.

  13. #15
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:51 am, Flyoverman said:

    My Pelosi Puppet Congressman held a telephonic town hall with all questions screened. He is one of the Cash for Clunkers co-sponsors. He does whatever the Queen Bee demands.

  14. #16
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:59 am, corkie said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:20 am, rplatt said:

    I understand your position but do you really believe anything less will have any impact on these left wing ideologues?

    Yes, I think many of the audiences in the videos have provided some great, effective reactions. (My favorite was catching Spector’s stupid statement about decisions needing to be made quickly – he really fell on his face with that one.)

    The crowd that continued to shout “just say no,” or whatever, seemed much less effective to me.

  15. #17
    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:59 am, NJRepublican said:

    Here is another good website for town hall meetings:
    http://www.conservative.org/about/TownhallMeetings.htm

  16. #18
    On August 4th, 2009 at 10:03 am, corkie said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:24 am, stillontheroad said:

    In a different time I would agree with you but, this is not that time.

    Dire times indeed. My recommendation was an attempt to maximize effectiveness of the crowds – not an attempt to be polite.

  17. #21
    On August 4th, 2009 at 10:11 am, Flyoverman said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:51 am, zyzzyg said:

    Should these people continue to act ‘tumultuously’ they run the risk of getting arrested, and they aren’t even in their own homes, or front porches. Remember, publicly rude and disorderly behavior can result in being arrested.

    Ah……. look at the “concern” etched on my face. Corkie nailed it.

    Dire times indeed. My recommendation was an attempt to maximize effectiveness of the crowds – not an attempt to be polite.

  18. #23
    On August 4th, 2009 at 10:15 am, d1carter said:

    I think those of us who oppose these policies should use the same tactic as Michelle Malkin. She overwhelmed the View “ladies” with facts. She was well prepared and they could not refute her points of fact. That is the way to combat the arrogance of the Obamanuts.

  19. #24
    On August 4th, 2009 at 10:16 am, graysonret said:

    I have to attend these tea parties, for a very good reason. I’m 60 now, and it won’t be too long before I’m considered one of the “elderly”. With Obamacare, will I be subject to a “concentration camp” without walls? In other words, will my care, if very ill, be so deficient, that I’ll be confined because of symptoms? Will the government indirectly, contribute to my early death (like concentration camps), because the need for my survival, isn’t necessary, according to Obamacare? My wife and I won’t be shipped somewhere on a train, but the effect will be the same. I’m not worthly to live in our new society because I am old. Today, I am a hard-working professional in the health field, and I, along with my co-workers provide much care to the elderly, and work hard to reduce and remove symptoms that slow their usual style of living. In the near future, I wonder if the government will feel it isn’t worthwhile or cost-effective to help these people, and myself. Money will be spent on those who can contribute to society. A thought. Reminds me of the movie, “Wild in the Streets” from the 60s.

  20. #25
    On August 4th, 2009 at 10:42 am, happyscrapper said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 9:51 am, zyzzyg said:
    Should these people continue to act ‘tumultuously’ they run the risk of getting arrested, and they aren’t even in their own homes, or front porches. Remember, publicly rude and disorderly behavior can result in being arrested.

    You should know, moonbat. You have probably been arrested a few times yourself.

    I do think that loud angry voices are good…but, we also need to allow the crapweasels to speak. Because every time they speak, they dig their own politcal graves. Remember when Sphincter said they had to hurry and read the bill because they had to hurry and pass it…or some such thing. That was a very “telling” comment and made the crowd go wild! We need to let them speak in between our yelling.

  21. #26
    On August 4th, 2009 at 10:53 am, rocketman said:

    ***
    I don’t think my “representative”–Sylvestre Reyes–El Paso, Texas–can be voted out. He is politically “bulletproof” at present in this 80 percent democratic town.
    ***
    Things haven’t gotten bad enough yet to affect him. He can ignore us at will. Many people still think that President Obama’s taxes and higher energy costs will fall on someone else–the “rich people”. A few years filling out unemployment forms and tax forms may change their minds in the future.
    ***
    John Bibb
    ***

  22. #28
    On August 4th, 2009 at 10:58 am, moonsbreath said:

    The other question concerning healthcare that I haven’t seen posed is what about neonatal care/surgery?

    Does the healthcare bill address this situation as it did the elderly?

  23. #31
    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:03 am, zyzzyg said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 10:42 am, happyscrapper said: #20

    You should know, moonbat. You have probably been arrested a few times yourself.

    Name calling is less than helpful. Avoid speculating and have the stones to ask the question. Let me show how it is done, ‘happyscrapper, have you ever been arrested?’ See how easy it is.

    I do think that loud angry voices are good…but, we also need to allow the crapweasels to speak. Because every time they speak, they dig their own politcal graves. Remember when Sphincter said they had to hurry and read the bill because they had to hurry and pass it…or some such thing. That was a very “telling” comment and made the crowd go wild! We need to let them speak in between our yelling.

    OK, you say that loud angry voices should be allowed to speak. And, do you agree that they should be subject to arrest for disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and ‘tumultuous’ behaviour?

    Yep, a reasoned civilized conversation, absent emotion, is superior to a potentionally dangerous and unruly mob. Do you agree?

  24. #34
    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:15 am, EWTHeckman said:

    These politicians need to learn a few things:

    1) The Constitution does not give the Federal Government the power to create an insurance program.

    2) Amendments 9 and 10 prohibit the Federal Government from taking any action or power not expressly given in the Constitution.

    3) Therefore, this health care plan is ILLEGAL!

    There is a reason why the Framers did not give the Federal Government this power. It’s best explained by an analogy.

    Let’s say you and I are walking down the street and we come across a person in need. So I pull a pistol on you, demand your wallet, and give your money to the needy person. Has this been an act of charity? No. It was an act of theft. I would not have given of my own resources, which is what charity is. And you did not give willingly, also a requirement for charity.

    Whether it’s done at a personal level or at the governmental level does not change this core principle.

  25. #35
    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:29 am, happyscrapper said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:03 am, zyzzyg said: Yep, a reasoned civilized conversation, absent emotion, is superior to a potentionally dangerous and unruly mob. Do you agree?

    Good grief, are you kidding me??? That is what got us into this mess in the first place. Everyone sitting back being polite while the radical left had their voices heard loud and clear. No thank you. Our corrupt politicans are not listening to “polite conversation”. It is our turn to be heard!! You can’t put that genie back into the bottle. Too late.

    Name calling is less than helpful. Avoid speculating and have the stones to ask the question. Let me show how it is done, ‘happyscrapper, have you ever been arrested?’ See how easy it is.

    I can spot the arrogant sarcasm of a leftie miles away. Take your “superior” attitude and shove it.

  26. #36
    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:36 am, corkie said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 10:42 am, happyscrapper said:

    we also need to allow the crapweasels to speak. Because every time they speak, they dig their own politcal graves.

    Excellent point!

  27. #37
    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:40 am, JohnnyD said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:03 am, zyzzyg said:

    I must disagree with you. While having a reasonable conversation is preferable, these politicians will not fear us unless they witness the voters in an angry state. If they do not fear us, then what possible chance do we have of getting through to them? They must be made to understand that their decisions are not without consequences. One of those consequences is to have an “unruly” crowd show up at these townhall meetings.

    So, have at ‘em I say. Give ‘em as much hell as your voice can handle. Someday that politician will remember his/her constituents. And when it comes time to ask to be re-elected, give ‘em the boot!!

  28. #38
    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:49 am, lgm said:

    This video shows Republican operatives disrupting a democratic (small d for democracy) proceeding. They are welcome to make their views known. But they should have the decency to let other people speak too.

  29. #39
    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:02 pm, Ignatius Reilly said:

    lgm >> They are welcome to make their views known. But they should have the decency to let other people speak too.

    Oh shut your piehole, lgm.

  30. #40
    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:07 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:49 am, lgm said:
    This video shows Republican operatives disrupting a democratic (small d for democracy) proceeding. They are welcome to make their views known. But they should have the decency to let other people speak too.

    I’m sorry…did you really say that? A moonbat radical leftie said that? And you don’t see any hypocrisy in that statement do you? My God, you are beyond help.

  31. #43
    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:21 pm, corkie said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:49 am, lgm said:

    Republican operatives

    Ha ha. Is that the best you got? Accusing those elderly people of being operatives? You’re really reaching.

    Or are they really just folks that are passionate about the topic (even if they were alerted to the meeting by Republican sources)?

  32. #44
    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:23 pm, zyzzyg said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:29 am, happyscrapper said: #25

    You missed addressing this question -

    OK, you say that loud angry voices should be allowed to speak. And, do you agree that they should be subject to arrest for disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and ‘tumultuous’ behaviour?

    Thank you for responding to the others.

  33. #45
    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:23 pm, jim m said:

    EWTHeckman, the US Constitution allows the US Congress to regulate commerce between states. The US Supreme Court has taken a very broad interpretation of that, and has allowed federal regulation of anything that affects interstate commerce. Health and medical insurance and treatment can be regulated at the federal level because of this.

    And before many of you go off on lgm, let me ask you this: I may go to one or two town halls in the Dallas area in support of the health care plan. Are those of you opposed to the plan going to try to shout me down or harass me?

  34. #46
    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:30 pm, corkie said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:23 pm, jim m said:

    And before many of you go off on lgm, let me ask you this: I may go to one or two town halls in the Dallas area in support of the health care plan. Are those of you opposed to the plan going to try to shout me down or harass me?

    Actually, I did and will continue to go off on lgm for his comment BEFORE answering your question.

  35. #47
    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:31 pm, zyzzyg said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:40 am, JohnnyD said: #27

    I must disagree with you. While having a reasonable conversation is preferable, these politicians will not fear us unless they witness the voters in an angry state. If they do not fear us, then what possible chance do we have of getting through to them? They must be made to understand that their decisions are not without consequences. One of those consequences is to have an “unruly” crowd show up at these townhall meetings.

    So, have at ‘em I say. Give ‘em as much hell as your voice can handle. Someday that politician will remember his/her constituents. And when it comes time to ask to be re-elected, give ‘em the boot!!

    And, I disagree with you. Being ‘unruly’ does not solve very much.

    Voting them out, however, is an effective way to work within the bounds of our Republic and civil society.

    As for ‘fear’, my concern is when the emotion escalates, and some knucklehead takes it to the next level. We are all human, and subject to our emotions. Push may come to shove, and it is a short slippery slope to other bad behaviour. We should reign it in just a tad, before it becomes worse.

  36. #48
    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:34 pm, spaceycakes said:

    those of you opposed to the plan going to try to shout me down or harass me?

    Why do you ask? Because we’re not allowed to do so?

    LOL–you think it’s about shouting. It’s about slavery.

  37. #49
    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:53 pm, wren said:

    To Flyoverman # 13

    PELOSI PUPPETS! I love the term! We need to identify all of the PELOSI PUPPETS in Congress and then VOTE THE PUPPETS OUT OF OFFICE!!!

  38. #50
    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:56 pm, JohnnyD said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:31 pm, zyzzyg said:

    You have a pretty dim view of your fellow citizens. You actually think that it will come to that? Not to worry, the Ruling Class usually comes well protected, unlike the citizens they rule over. But that’s a subject for another time.

    Frankly, being ignored by our representatives is far worse than your concern. They must be made to understand that they are in their positions at our behest. In my mind, this is something they have forgotten.

    I’m sure you are familiar with the phrase “…putting the fear of God in them”? Well, think of it as putting the fear of the Voter into these politicians.

  39. #51
    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:59 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:23 pm, zyzzyg said:
    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:29 am, happyscrapper said: #25

    You missed addressing this question -

    OK, you say that loud angry voices should be allowed to speak. And, do you agree that they should be subject to arrest for disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and ‘tumultuous’ behaviour?

    Thank you for responding to the others.

    I don’t owe you any answers. Therefore, there is no obligation on my part to respond to this question. Buh-bye.

  40. #52
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:02 pm, b-cat said:

    Frankly, being ignored by our representatives is far worse than your concern. They must be made to understand that they are in their positions at our behest. In my mind, this is something they have forgotten

    Very well said. Or put another way, a government can only govern with the consent of the governed. They do not have our consent to steal our freedom.

  41. #53
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:04 pm, corkie said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:59 pm, happyscrapper said:

    I don’t owe you any answers. Therefore, there is no obligation on my part to respond to this question. Buh-bye.

    Ha ha. It was a pretty stupid question.

  42. #55
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:16 pm, happyscrapper said:

    I am definitely noticing the trolls out in full force on all the threads today. Obama’s internet military thugs trying to muddy the waters of truth. They really do sound desperate, don’t they?

  43. #56
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:19 pm, JohnnyD said:

    Sen. Happyscrapper, will you please answer how you will vote for the Health Care Bill?

    On August 4th, 2009 at 12:59 pm, happyscrapper said:

    I don’t owe you any answers. Therefore, there is no obligation on my part to respond to this question. Buh-bye.

    This was my attempt to illustrate the point above that politicians don’t listen. Thank you happyscrapper for providing such a wonderful quote.

    Seems to be a pretty reasonable conversation, don’t you think zyzzyg?
    What should happen next?

  44. #57
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:24 pm, graysonret said:

    This video shows Republican operatives disrupting a democratic (small d for democracy) proceeding.

    Have anyone else, but me, noticed that igm likes to defend his position by showing us what some others did? I supposed if he was ever arrested for something, his defense would always be, “Well, others do it!” I’m sure if you look, some “conservative” is not doing what he/she should at one particular moment. Makes no sense to make it part of your defense.

  45. #58
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:25 pm, cheapseat said:

    rep carnahan of mo. ran into a none too friendly group of uaw constituents today in st louis. he angrily called the meeting ended and escaped by the back door. lgm/zz; obviously a brooks brothers republican event.

  46. #59
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:32 pm, jim m said:

    Spaceycakes, because if you’re going to try to harass me or to assault me for speaking my peace, I may have to bring my gun with me.

    And by the way, only a complete moron would think the bill is about slavery, spaceycakes. I’m sure your mother wishes she aborted you.

  47. #60
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:38 pm, EWTHeckman said:

    jim m wrote:

    the US Constitution allows the US Congress to regulate commerce between states. The US Supreme Court has taken a very broad interpretation of that, and has allowed federal regulation of anything that affects interstate commerce. Health and medical insurance and treatment can be regulated at the federal level because of this.

    A) Just because the Supreme Court has allowed abuses in the past does not make it right.

    B) This goes well past regulating commerce which crosses state boundaries into engaging in commerce.

    Perhaps you should read up on this action by Davy Crockett when he was representing Tennessee in Congress:

    “We cannot, without the grossest corruption, appropriate this money as the payment of a debt. We have not the semblance of authority to appropriate it as a charity. Mr. Speaker, I have said we have the right to give as much of our own money as we please. I am the poorest man on this floor. I cannot vote for this bill, but I will give one week’s pay to the object, and if every member of Congress will do the same, it will amount to more than the bill asks.”

    This was over a bill for giving money to the widow of a naval officer, a good and worthy cause. But it was wrong for Congress to steal that money from taxpayers to give it to someone else, even someone else in need.

    Almost everyone in that session realized that this was wrong and not an act of charity, but of theft. The result was that the bill received only a handful of votes. The truly sad part of this story is that not one congressman took Crockett up on his challenge to reach into their own pockets and donate towards a noble cause.

    Politicians haven’t changed in being unwilling to reach into their own pockets to offer charity. Only in their seared consciences and in the amounts of money they’re willing to steal from others to make themselves look good has there been a change.

    Remember this:

    A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.

    While the quote appears to be apocryphal, the truth of this statement should be self evident.

  48. #61
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:39 pm, happyscrapper said:

    This was my attempt to illustrate the point above that politicians don’t listen. Thank you happyscrapper for providing such a wonderful quote.

    Glad to oblige, JohnnyD!

  49. #62
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:42 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:32 pm, jim m said:
    Spaceycakes, because if you’re going to try to harass me or to assault me for speaking my peace, I may have to bring my gun with me.

    And by the way, only a complete moron would think the bill is about slavery, spaceycakes. I’m sure your mother wishes she aborted you.

    This is the exact kind of moronic comment that can get you banned. And I hope it does…idiot.

  50. #63
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:46 pm, jim m said:

    EWTHickman, read US v. Morrison: http://www.oyez.org/cases/1990-1999/1999/1999_99_5.

    Even a recent US Supreme Court case said that Congress has the right to regulate matters that substantially affect interstate commerce.

    This is consistent with a long line (about 100 years) of US Supreme Court cases. Scream all you want about how this isn’t “right”, but this has been the situation for a relatively long time.

  51. #64
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:51 pm, jim m said:

    You should know, moonbat.

    A moonbat radical leftie .

    Except for Moron, which is my lable for liberals.

    I will continue to ridicule anyone I feel deserves it.

    –Right back at you, happyscraper. These are from your postings in the last few days. If I’m banned, then you should be many times over.

  52. #65
    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:52 pm, EWTHeckman said:

    This is consistent with a long line (about 100 years) of US Supreme Court cases. Scream all you want about how this isn’t “right”, but this has been the situation for a relatively long time.

    What does length of time have to do with whether it’s right or not?

  53. #66
    On August 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Jim m…Here is a repeat of what you said

    …”On August 4th, 2009 at 1:32 pm, jim m said:
    Spaceycakes, because if you’re going to try to harass me or to assault me for speaking my peacepiece…FIFY, I may have to bring my gun with me.

    And by the way, only a complete moron would think the bill is about slavery, spaceycakes. I’m sure your mother wishes she aborted you.

    I doubt that my comments slide down into the sewer that yours came from. I have never threatened a fellow poster with a gun, even figuratively. Nor have I ever said anything as disgusting as the abortion comment you made to spaceycakes. My comments are merely to punctuate the fact that you are an idiot. Nothing more. I still say your comments should get you banned. They are disgusting and cleary are meant to make us all look bad, just for allowing them on this thread.

  54. #67
    On August 4th, 2009 at 2:10 pm, EWTHeckman said:

    Additional question for jim m:

    How does abusing the power to regulate interstate commerce for a long time justify moving into engaging in commerce? That’s a pretty obvious bright line.

  55. #68
    On August 4th, 2009 at 2:15 pm, jim m said:

    I never threatened spaceycakes with a gun. I was asking because I may have to bring it for self-protection if (s)he was planning to harass or assault me.
    Read more carefully.

    And count the number of times you’ve called people morons, idiots or moonbats and compare them to mine. If you think you can ridicule people regularly, as you’ve said, you should be banned much sooner than I should.

  56. #69
    On August 4th, 2009 at 2:17 pm, EWTHeckman said:

    Further question for jim m:

    How does abusing the power to regulate interstate commerce justify the government engaging in theft? (Stealing from me in the form of taxes to give to someone else, and pretending that it’s charity.)

  57. #70
    On August 4th, 2009 at 2:18 pm, jim m said:

    Yeah, EWTHeckman. That change happened in connection with New Deal legislation.

    Take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commerce_Clause; scroll down the page a bit to see what was struck down prior to the New Deal and then what happened afterwards.

  58. #71
    On August 4th, 2009 at 2:25 pm, happyscrapper said:

    And count the number of times you’ve called people morons, idiots or moonbats and compare them to mine. If you think you can ridicule people regularly, as you’ve said, you should be banned much sooner than I should.

    I have never ridiculed anyone who didn’t deserve it. And you trolls definitely fit that category. Sorry you are such a moonbat. Oh, and calling someone a moonbat certain doesn’t qualify for banning. Talking about perpetrating violence does. And telling a poster their mother probably regrets not having aborted her? Wow, that is SO over the line. Now, I am done with you.

  59. #72
    On August 4th, 2009 at 2:35 pm, jim m said:

    So, happyscrapper, anyone who disagrees with you is a troll? Well, I guess everyday to you must seem like living in the Hobbit.

    “Perpetrating” generally means to commit a crime. Use or threatened use of a gun in response to an assault with the real potential of serious injury in Texas would generally not be a crime. It would be self-defense.

  60. #73
    On August 4th, 2009 at 2:37 pm, EWTHeckman said:

    And you suppose Supreme Court rulings can magically overcome fundamental laws of economics?

    Ironically, this bit from your link jumped out at me:

    The “New Deal Court” drastically changed the focus of the Court’s inquiry in determining whether legislation fell within the scope of the Commerce Clause, and in some sense returned to the concept articulated in Gibbons v. Ogden. Central to this theory was the belief that the democratic process was sufficient to confine the legislative power.

    Two things here.

    1) The Federal* Government is to be restrained first and foremost by the Constitution. That is why we are a Constitutional Republic.

    (* As I was typing “Federal” I made a typo that changed it to “Feral”. Talk about a Freudian slip to improve the accuracy! ;-) )

    2) The “democratic process” is exactly what’s going on here. “We the People” are telling the men and women that are supposed to represent us that what they’re doing is wrong in no uncertain terms. Don’t forget, that reverting to the cartridge box—should it become necessary because the ballot box, soap box and jury box have all failed—is part of the “democratic process”, and politicians would do well to remember that fact. If these meetings are becoming heated, that’s just part of the soap box in action. No one wants to revert to the cartridge box, and attempting to avoid it with no apparent results does tend to increase the pressure.

  61. #74
    On August 4th, 2009 at 2:41 pm, EWTHeckman said:

    happyscrapper,

    I think I have to agree with jim m on this:

    Use or threatened use of a gun in response to an assault with the real potential of serious injury in Texas would generally not be a crime. It would be self-defense.

    That’s how his comment came across to me. Then again, there is such a thing as baiting someone into a confrontation, so be careful.

    I would still like jim’s answer on is how long term abuse of the commerce clause justifies the fundamental evil of stealing from Peter to give to Paul. Can you help me push him for an answer?

  62. #75
    On August 4th, 2009 at 2:58 pm, jim m said:

    A whole lot of laws over the years can be viewed as “robbing Peter to pay Paul”.

    Establishing the first public school systems (and taxing people for it);

    Requiring minimum wage payments;

    Requiring fair labor hours;

    Establishing federal and state income/property/sales taxes to pay for fire, police, roads, libraries, etc.;

    Establishing social security and related things, along with the required FICA/Medicare payments;

    Establishing unemployment assistance payments and workers’ compensation insurance (and the related taxes);

    etc.

    I don’t see the health care insurance as any different than these.

  63. #76
    On August 4th, 2009 at 3:03 pm, JohnnyD said:

    On August 4th, 2009 at 1:32 pm, jim m said:
    Spaceycakes, because if you’re going to try to harass me or to assault me for speaking my peace, I may have to bring my gun with me.

    Your assumption that anyone would “assault you” because you have a different POV is a bit much Jim m, don’t ya think?

    And by the way, only a complete moron would think the bill is about slavery, spaceycakes. I’m sure your mother wishes she aborted you.

    I don’t know what set you off but come on…don’t you think you were a little nasty here? Kinda doesn’t help your argument at all.

  64. #78
    On August 4th, 2009 at 3:09 pm, jim m said:

    I was a little nasty, so I apologize for that last sentence.

    But I still haven’t heard from Spaceycakes and I meant my question in all seriousness. This (healthcare) is an issue that inflames peoples’ emotions. If Spaceycakes thinks “it’s [not] about shouting. It’s about slavery” then I think he’s saying that the time for discussion (and disagreement) has passed.

  65. #79
    On August 4th, 2009 at 3:10 pm, cheapseat said:

    take a deep breath folks. we aren’t the huffnpuff/dailykos.

  66. #80
    On August 4th, 2009 at 3:34 pm, EWTHeckman said:

    Establishing federal and state income/property/sales taxes to pay for fire, police, roads, libraries, etc.;

    These are valid government areas; specifically state government can handle these. The Constitution does not give the Federal Government the authority to intrude into these areas, but it does leave everything not specified to the states and the people, which is where these areas belong.

    Establishing social security and related things, along with the required FICA/Medicare payments;

    These are two specific examples of the government taking over areas which previously had private instances, drove out those private abilities, and are now headed for a collapse. They’re perfect examples of the rule that government should only do what only government can do. That’s why the Constitution does not allow the FedGov to do this. And you think it’s okay to double down—and then some—on failure?

  67. #82
    On August 4th, 2009 at 4:15 pm, md1964 said:

    District 2 Democrap Rep Vic Snyder is holding a Town Hall tomorrow night here in Arkansas….one hitch though. It is Not Open to the Public. It is for the Local Machinist Union Members only.

    “Not Open to The Public” appears to be the Democratic Party way…only Elites and Cronies are allowed.

  68. #83
    On August 4th, 2009 at 4:21 pm, jim m said:

    I do. For me, the elimination of the pre-existing condition requirement (and the requirement of community pricing for the plans) are key. Right now, if you leave your employer (and its group plan), you either need to find an individual plan or another group employer plan for insurance or find a “catastrophically (sic)” expensive state plan for the uninsured. Individual plans have significant exclusions for pre-existing conditions; in many cases, you can’t even find an individual plan at any price. If you can’t get into another employer group plan within 18 months, your next employer’s group plan can limit your coverage for pre-existing conditions even if you took out and paid for COBRA coverage for those 18 months. And the “catistrophically” expensive state plans easily cost $2000-$3000 a month for coverage.

  69. #85
    On August 4th, 2009 at 8:31 pm, emjem24 said:

    jim m #68:

    I find it freakin’ hilarious how your worst case scenarios should scare us all into giving up our healthcare system choices (something you either consciously or unconsciously realize). I love how the 70% of the American public who have healthcare should sacrifice for the 30% of those who are uninsured or can’t be bothered to get insured.

    For all your emotion-fueled rhetoric about worst case scenarios you fail to understand that the basic structure of the healthcare is broken, not basic access. Costs need to be addressed. Medicare and Medicaid fraud need to be addressed and either the two need to be done away with or restructured entirely where they’re actually helping the people they were designed to help. Tort reform needs to be embraced.

    One more thing to consider is the following question: do you really want to try Tricare or the VA system on a larger scale? Do you know what it’s like to participate in either system? Tricare is a government-sponsored HMO that basically tells people what they can take medication wise and what surgeries will be offered. It the treatment is experimental or cutting edge forget it.

    Being that I’m a Tricare beneficiary, I wouldn’t want the same kind of system for the rest of Americans. I, and many other participants, know that tax dollars are being wasted every year on waste and inefficiency. Tricare’s track record with mental illness is quite dubious. Have you ever had to be on a wait list for medication that you needed? I have and went to the private sector to pay more for what used to be a “free” benefit.

    Perhaps, the insurance industry needs to reevaluate the effectiveness of HMO’S before cozying up the the Obummer administration to stay alive. There is no innovation or cutting edge development that the government has ever been responsible for. Ever.

  70. #88
    On August 4th, 2009 at 11:02 pm, EWTHeckman said:

    jim, with a wife and a daughter who are diabetic and me self-employed, I am very well aware of the preexisting condition problem. I’ve sworn about it enough that you would think I’m a sailor.

    It is a problem to be fixed.

    However…

    You do not tear the entire thing down, throw it all away and replace it with a system that has not once produced anything other than higher costs, lower levels of health care, and severe rationing—to the point were people die unnecessarily. The need to fix some problems with the best healthcare IN THE WORLD does NOT justify replacing it with something that has not worked ever, Not Even ONCE in the history of the world.

    Nor does it justify stealing from one person to give it to someone else. P.E.R.I.O.D.

  71. #89
    On August 5th, 2009 at 9:06 am, jim m said:

    Sorry, gotta disagree with you both. The insurance plan is stealing to the same extent that taxation is stealing in my book. And the only part of the insurance plan that I can see that you disagree with, EWTHeckman, is the public plan option. If there is no public plan, but there are instead the co-ops, why would you disagree with the insurance plan? Andemjem, my situation is a real world example and so is EWTHeckman’s. The pre-existing condition exclusion is a real problem. It’s not that we don’t want to be insured; it’s that we can’t effectively be insured–even when we’ve previously had insurance.

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Consequences: Stupak stripped of “Defender of Life” award

March 21, 2010 09:23 PM by Michelle Malkin

42 Comments | 6 Trackbacks

Stu-pefying.

Reports: An executive order to pay off pro-life Democrats?

March 20, 2010 12:38 PM by Michelle Malkin

40 Comments | 10 Trackbacks

Resist the temptation.


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