From National Review Online
The Constitution Is Not ‘Propaganda’
January 6, 2011 12:23 P.M.
By Orrin G. Hatch
More than 90 percent of Americans say that the Constitution is very important to them and two-thirds say that a “detailed knowledge” of our charter is “absolutely necessary.” Federal and state officials, whether elected or appointed, must take an oath to support and defend the Constitution. It is, in its own words, the “supreme law of the land.”Liberty requires limits on government, and those limits come primarily from the Constitution. Chief Justice John Marshall explained it this way in Marbury v. Madison: “The powers of the legislature are defined, and limited; and that those limits may not be mistaken, or forgotten, the constitution is written.” Needless to say, a written document matters only if it is read.If mistaking or forgetting the Constitution’s limits on Congress threatens our liberty, then those who love liberty should read our Constitution often. Those who must abide by its limits, those who swear to support and defend it, should read our Constitution often.So who would have thought that simply reading the Constitution out loud on the House floor — by the very House members who the day before took an oath to support and defend it — would be met with such cynicism. Many belittled it as “symbolism,” as if that were a bad thing. One Democratic congressman dismissed reading the Constitution as nothing but “propaganda.” He is — seriously — the previous chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on, yes, the Constitution.I think this just confirms why America’s founders wrote the Constitution down in the first place. It appears that some in Congress would be just fine with the American people mistaking or forgetting the limits that the Constitution places on federal power.Only a quarter of the people who say a detailed knowledge of the Constitution is necessary say that they have such knowledge. Reading it is the least we can do.
— Orrin G. Hatch is a U.S. senator from Utah.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The Speaker of the House Throws Down the Gauntlet
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid informed the House of Representatives that it need not waste its time repealing Obamacare.
Speaker John Boehner's reply was simple and to the point. Hat tip to RedState:
Senators Reid, Durbin, Schumer, Murray and Stabenow:
Thank you for reminding us – and the American people – of the backroom deal that you struck behind closed doors with ‘Big Pharma,’ resulting in bigger profits for the drug companies, and higher prescription drug costs for 33 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D, at a cost to the taxpayers of $42.6 billion.
The House is going to pass legislation to repeal that now. You’re welcome.
Harry Reid wants to pretend that the House has no power here, but it does. It is the source of all money bills and can defund the whole project. They can use this threat as leverage to completely redo health care and turn it from deform into real reform. Or chuck the whole thing because health care here was much betterthan most places to begin with.
Either way, Speaker Boehner gets it. Thank goodness!
Speaker John Boehner's reply was simple and to the point. Hat tip to RedState:
Senators Reid, Durbin, Schumer, Murray and Stabenow:
Thank you for reminding us – and the American people – of the backroom deal that you struck behind closed doors with ‘Big Pharma,’ resulting in bigger profits for the drug companies, and higher prescription drug costs for 33 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D, at a cost to the taxpayers of $42.6 billion.
The House is going to pass legislation to repeal that now. You’re welcome.
Harry Reid wants to pretend that the House has no power here, but it does. It is the source of all money bills and can defund the whole project. They can use this threat as leverage to completely redo health care and turn it from deform into real reform. Or chuck the whole thing because health care here was much betterthan most places to begin with.
Either way, Speaker Boehner gets it. Thank goodness!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Rich Rodriguez Fired
Three years ago, both Rich Rodriguez and West Virginia University seemed to be on top of the world. Rodriguez escaped the scrutiny of West Virginia's athletic department for the big money and national attention of Michigan. West Virginia did not get a coveted national title shot, but did demolish perennial power Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Now both have hit a crossroads. West Virginia chose to try and regain its position as an elite program by hiring Dana Holgerson. It has certainly slipped, but not nearly so much as Rodriguez.
Is this a case of bad things happening to bad people? Not really. Bill Stewart was a nice guy, but could not maintain West Virginia's stature in the college football world. His landing spot is a little softer, though.
Rodriguez's problem was always stubbornness. It was always his way or no way. This is not always a bad thing. It's good to have a vision and stick to it, but you have to know when to adapt. You have to know when the game changed. Rodriguez was always good at forcing an issue, but not at adapting when people began to figure him out.
His reactions to adversity were as predictable as his playcalling became. Rodriguez would trot his family out, cry, and ask for understanding. It was a stark contrast to the tough guy persona he usually took to practice.
Michigan will now look for a new coach. ESPN denies that Michigan is a national program any longer. That's debatable. However, Rodriguez is no longer a hot national commodity. His spread looks like a Model T compared to Holgerson's Oklahoma State Mustang. Pitt refused to consider him. UConn could look at him because they are more desperate for a "name." However, that would be like the former leading man doing a B movie.
Rodriguez is not necessarily down and out forever. He could claw his way back by being successful at a mid major, changing his system to meet the transformations taking place in college football, and being a little more diplomatic from time to time.
Is there a lesson here? Gracious behavior and adaptability will go far.
Is this a case of bad things happening to bad people? Not really. Bill Stewart was a nice guy, but could not maintain West Virginia's stature in the college football world. His landing spot is a little softer, though.
Rodriguez's problem was always stubbornness. It was always his way or no way. This is not always a bad thing. It's good to have a vision and stick to it, but you have to know when to adapt. You have to know when the game changed. Rodriguez was always good at forcing an issue, but not at adapting when people began to figure him out.
His reactions to adversity were as predictable as his playcalling became. Rodriguez would trot his family out, cry, and ask for understanding. It was a stark contrast to the tough guy persona he usually took to practice.
Michigan will now look for a new coach. ESPN denies that Michigan is a national program any longer. That's debatable. However, Rodriguez is no longer a hot national commodity. His spread looks like a Model T compared to Holgerson's Oklahoma State Mustang. Pitt refused to consider him. UConn could look at him because they are more desperate for a "name." However, that would be like the former leading man doing a B movie.
Rodriguez is not necessarily down and out forever. He could claw his way back by being successful at a mid major, changing his system to meet the transformations taking place in college football, and being a little more diplomatic from time to time.
Is there a lesson here? Gracious behavior and adaptability will go far.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Yard Sales Could Be Fined $15 Million By the Federal Government
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2009/09/18/new-government-policy-imposes-strict-standards-garage-sales-nationwide/
According to the above Fox News story, yard sales, Goodwills, and charity give aways could be affected by severe fines and the threat of lawsuits. Again, the culprit is a poorly written and draconian law made "to protect the children."
When is the last time that a child died of a notebook or a toy bought at a yard sale?
If a big business markets a product made in China, for example, and they did not test that product first, they should pay. However, yard sales and charity drives are organized by people with very little money. They rarely import items directly from China. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, home of the concept of killer lawn darts, occasionally goes over the line.
This is one of those times.
According to the above Fox News story, yard sales, Goodwills, and charity give aways could be affected by severe fines and the threat of lawsuits. Again, the culprit is a poorly written and draconian law made "to protect the children."
When is the last time that a child died of a notebook or a toy bought at a yard sale?
If a big business markets a product made in China, for example, and they did not test that product first, they should pay. However, yard sales and charity drives are organized by people with very little money. They rarely import items directly from China. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, home of the concept of killer lawn darts, occasionally goes over the line.
This is one of those times.
Monday, January 3, 2011
New Years' Resolution
My New Years' resolution this year, one of them at least, is to handle money better.In the past, I've had some problems. I once shelled out millions of dollars to study how cow farts change the composition of the atmosphere. I own a lot of real estate all over the world and usually insist on building the most expensive buildings possible in those places. I also have to always have the best and newest. And I never fail to travel in style.
Problem is that my job doesn't pay as much as I spend. So I got credit cards. Unofortunately, those are now maxed out. I hear the National Bank of China has one with an adjustable APR . . .
My biggest problem is that I am, so generous. Some of my children work jobs and some of them don't. I hate to see my kids without money, any of them. Therefore I take some from the kids that work and give it to the ones that don't. You see, that is what is called being fair.
But I still have money problems. I think I'll take some hundred dollar bills and run them off on the copier to see if I can spend them without getting in trouble.
Or I could listen to some new friends. They are my financial advisors, Mr. Gop and Mr. T. Mr. Gop says I need to cut back on my spending and stop taking money from my working children. Mr. T says that he pities the fool that doesn't follow such sound advice. Both of them told me that I am heading for disaster, but I usually try to not believe them. They have given me two years to do better, or they will take the power of the purse from me and dole out the money as they see fit. And they promise to cut so much that it hurts the standard of living that I love so much.
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