Posted on 01/22/2011 12:27:13 PM PST by John Semmens
In the midst of the Republican move to repeal last year’s health care legislation, several Democratic members of Congress advanced their case for the Constitutionality of the legislation.
Representative John Lewis (D-Georgia) sought to rebut the Republican case for repealing the law by arguing that “the right to health care is mandated by the Constitution.” As Lewis sees it, “The Constitution’s 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law. That means if one person has health insurance then it is the government’s responsibility to make sure everyone has it.”
The Congressman rejected the GOP claim that forcing a person to purchase a product he may not want infringes on his liberty. “The concept of liberty is too vague to really be enforceable,” Lewis argued. “As I understand what the GOP is saying, liberty appears to mean that the government’s authority ought to be restricted in some way. I don’t see how the government can be expected to enforce restrictions on itself. I could also point out that the Constitution’s Preamble, where the word ‘liberty’ appears, has been superceded by the 14th Amendment’s subsequent guarantee of equality.”
Bolstering Lewis’ point, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) maintained that “health care is a right that the government has the power to enforce whether people like it or not. We can’t let people pick and choose which rights they want to exercise and which they don’t. Forcing everyone to enjoy the same rights is the only way we can ensure equality for all.”
Meanwhile, Representative John Conyers (D-Mich.) insisted that “the Constitution’s ‘good and welfare’ clause is all the justification we need to support the Constitutionality of the health care law. We force people to do things all the time. We force them to pay for Social Security. We force them to undergo x-ray screening at airports. If the government decides a citizen’s welfare requires him to pay for health care insurance he must pay for it. We are the law makers. Citizens must do what the laws we make tell them to do.”
“Besides, I think it was President Washington who said that government is force,” Conyers added. “So, with both the Constitution and the ‘father of our country’ on our side the case for compelling everyone to buy health insurance is well supported.”
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http://azconserv1.wordpress.com/2011/01/22/constitution-mandates-health-care-say-representatives/
“The Constitution’s 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law. That means if one person has health insurance then it is the government’s responsibility to make sure everyone has it.”
When do I get my new BMW?
>>When do I get my new BMW?<<
I am holding out for my Beach House (with chauffeur, so who needs a BMW?) If one person gets a beach house with staff, then it is the government’s responsibility to make sure everyone has one.
I think we are going to need several houses for all of our new equality stuff.
“Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” — George Washington
When government forced escaped slaves who were caught to return to their owners, was that an acceptable use of government force, Mr. Conyers?
AGGH!!! YOU GOT ME!!!
A month in Michigan’s upper peninsula every summer would make me happy. I can’t afford it so clearly my “rights” are being infringed upon.
These Representatives are really ignorant SOBs. They can’t possibly believe that crap. The 14 Amendment doesn’t give the Govt a license to redistribute wealth or require the govt to create laws to make sure no one has inequality in life quality. It is speaking only of the law. That means that any man should be treated equally under the law. Which means that if a crime is committed against or by one man who is black or one man who is white, rich or poor, in congress or not that the law should not treat them differently. Even though that is not the case that is the purpose of the 14 amendment.
Quite true these daze.
D = Dumb as a box of Rocks.
You have to stay on your toes with John..
lol!
John Lewis is a brave and good man who TRULY had a role in the civil rights struggle.
He is however hardly an intellect or a legal scholar.
It is painful to hear the man speak.
But still. He has courage. Let him have that.
“These Representatives are really ignorant SOBs. They can’t possibly believe that crap.”
Take a look at the source and get back to us. ;)
Let's see...
Some people have guns.
I don't.
To be able to exercise my rights, the gov't needs to give me some guns or some guns from someone else, or something like that.
It's from the pursuit clause.
At least they have been forced to refer to the Constitution. It’s a baby step forward.
Don't they have a homeless shelter in Houghton or else where to stay? Maybe the 24 hr Casinos? Be creative man. Live the dream.
:(
You’re popping my bubble!
Semi-Satire? Oh. So what does that mean? Some of the ‘Ratb0z0s really said some of the stuff in quotes?
“That means if one person has health insurance then it is the government’s responsibility to make sure everyone has it.”
OK then apply it to food, housing, autos, degrees, vacations, walkin’ around money and similar. Oh hell, apply it to everything. Everybody has the same - each according to his needs.
Oh, but especially, let’s apply it to the perks that Congress enjoys.
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