This is an example of poor news judgment on my part. I watched Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D., Texas) say on the floor of the House yesterday that the repeal of Obamacare would deprive Americans of their 5th and 14th Amendment rights, but I thought it was so inane that it wasn’t worth mention — members say a thousand stupid things a day on the floor, and I have homepage updates to make.
You will recall that this is a measure that 1) is currently being challenged on constitutional grounds in the federal courts in suits joined by a majority of these United States; 2) was passed less than a year ago; and 3) major portions of which have yet to go into effect.
But I must have missed when Jackson-Lee added within moments that repeal would also mean “killing Americans,” which ranks right up there with the late, late Alan Grayson’s “die quickly” as an example of both a negligent hatefulness toward the other side, and a thoroughly dangerous and twisted logic.
The republic endured for two and a half centuries without this latest corporatist regulatory-redistributive health-care regime — there were no widespread cries that the nonexistence of Obamacare created a constitutional crisis, or made the government complicit in the killing of whole swaths of the American citizenry. But now, with the ink barely dry on the Affordable Care Act, it has become an entitlement in the worst possible sense — untouchable in good conscience; the nth rail of American politics.
And with that attitude, there will always be an nth+1 rail. For how can there ever be reasonable limits on government — let alone a balanced budget — if the mere establishment by law of some benefit makes that benefit always and forever sacrosanct?
I used to live in her district. She was disgusting. I still think she is the worst Representative in the union, she just is limited in impact because she is so unimportant.
She campaigned for hurricanes to have more than just WASPy names, enough said I think. She succeeded by the way.
I now live in Scott Tipton's district, huge upgrade.
The nth+1 rail--that's an elegant and perfectly concise summation of the Commerce Clause argument against the individual mandate: if Congress can regulate activity that has not yet occurred, then there is no limit to what they can regulate.
As an aside, I just want to mention how nice it is to read "a majority of these United States." You don't often here "*these* United States of America" anymore; it is usually "*the* United States of America." This is not a mere verbal quibble--the former construction says something different about the kind of union this country was conceived to be at its birth than the latter, and the difference is reflected in how we put federalism into practice.
This is typical Sheila JL. She truly believes she's making a serious argument. When Texas draws new districts, we're still going to have a few Democrats. Why have smart ones when we can avoid returning her to Mars?
to call her an embarrassment is an understatement of epic proportions. she's also a media hog -- with the news that Cong. Giffords is coming to Houston for rehab, look to see SJL insert herself into the news coverage. SJL is shameless, a negative for the House, for Texas, for Houston. Sorry about how inarticulate this post is -- the woman renders me almost speechless. RIP, Barbara Jordan -- i imagine that SJL causes you to turn over in your grave at least once a day. Sheesh -- abomination = SJL!
The GOP should begin a corruption investigation of Sheila Jackson Lee based solely upon the fact that she is a stone-cold moron.
It has to be a given that somebody, at some point, offered her magic beans for a cow and it violated rules of which she could not possibly be aware or comprehend.
I believe that her reference to the Constitutional rights and protections of American citizens is probably a first for her. First off the law has not been fully implemented and therefore no injury in regards to an individuals rights occurred... so no claim can be made. The Constitution is a political document protecting an individuals liberty both in his/her personal and economic spheres. I would say that this law(Obamacare) is constraining upon both via 1)individual mandate(personal, and 2) higher taxation(economic).
I believe she needs to be re-educated in the constitutional idea of it protecting the rights of people and not the rights of goverment.
I used to live in her district. She was disgusting. I still think she is the worst Representative in the union, she just is limited in impact because she is so unimportant.
She campaigned for hurricanes to have more than just WASPy names, enough said I think. She succeeded by the way.
I now live in Scott Tipton's district, huge upgrade.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI bet Jackson-Lee's chauffeur has a deeper understanding of the Constitution than she does.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIs she really atypical?
Do you suffer from an inflated view of politicians?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe woman is a disaster every time she speaks... if you can believe it, this is one of mer more coherent attempts.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe nth+1 rail--that's an elegant and perfectly concise summation of the Commerce Clause argument against the individual mandate: if Congress can regulate activity that has not yet occurred, then there is no limit to what they can regulate.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe braid must be squeezing her brain.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAs an aside, I just want to mention how nice it is to read "a majority of these United States." You don't often here "*these* United States of America" anymore; it is usually "*the* United States of America." This is not a mere verbal quibble--the former construction says something different about the kind of union this country was conceived to be at its birth than the latter, and the difference is reflected in how we put federalism into practice.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSheila Jackson Lee has long since earned the right to be ridiculed at every opportunity.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAny chance of that imbecile being redistricted out of office?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJackson-Lee once stated on the House floor that NASA should make plans to return to Mars. Not _go_ to Mars. Return.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis is typical Sheila JL. She truly believes she's making a serious argument. When Texas draws new districts, we're still going to have a few Democrats. Why have smart ones when we can avoid returning her to Mars?
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuseto call her an embarrassment is an understatement of epic proportions. she's also a media hog -- with the news that Cong. Giffords is coming to Houston for rehab, look to see SJL insert herself into the news coverage. SJL is shameless, a negative for the House, for Texas, for Houston. Sorry about how inarticulate this post is -- the woman renders me almost speechless. RIP, Barbara Jordan -- i imagine that SJL causes you to turn over in your grave at least once a day. Sheesh -- abomination = SJL!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWas that Cynthia McKinney?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAn embarrassment for the great state of Texas!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf stupidity was a crime, she would definitely get a life sentence!
The GOP should begin a corruption investigation of Sheila Jackson Lee based solely upon the fact that she is a stone-cold moron.
It has to be a given that somebody, at some point, offered her magic beans for a cow and it violated rules of which she could not possibly be aware or comprehend.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSince the voters of Lee's district would elect a Potato if it had (D) next to the name on the ballot-rest assured she will not be going anywhere.
However, if her district is happy being represented by a loon-then who are we to argue with them?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseShe is probably smarter than Rep. Hank Johnson who worried that too many US troops would capsize Guam.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse@ tcm
That was probably the single funniest moment in American political history. Johnson looked like the was tripping balls in that video.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI believe that her reference to the Constitutional rights and protections of American citizens is probably a first for her. First off the law has not been fully implemented and therefore no injury in regards to an individuals rights occurred... so no claim can be made. The Constitution is a political document protecting an individuals liberty both in his/her personal and economic spheres. I would say that this law(Obamacare) is constraining upon both via 1)individual mandate(personal, and 2) higher taxation(economic).
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI believe she needs to be re-educated in the constitutional idea of it protecting the rights of people and not the rights of goverment.
She won't return my correspondence and quite literally is not very smart. Hoping they will re-district her out this year.
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