Sen. Reed: Forcing People to Buy Health Insurance is Constitutionally Justified Because

CNS News ^ | 11/10/09

[FromLori]

When asked where specifically the Constitution authorized Congress to mandate that individuals buy health insurance, Sen. Jack Reed (D.-R.I.) said that he “would have to check the specific sections” but said that it was like making people “sign up for the draft.”

“Specifically where in the Constitution does Congress get its authority to mandate that individuals purchase health insurance?” CNSNews.com asked Reed.

“Let me see,” said Reed. “I would have to check the specific sections, so I’ll have to get back to you on the specific section. But it is not unusual that the Congress has required individuals to do things, like sign up for the draft and do many other things too, which I don’t think are explicitly contained [in the Constitution]. It gives Congress a right to raise an army, but it doesn’t say you can take people and draft them. But since that was something necessary for the functioning of the government over the past several years, the practice on the books, it’s been recognized, the authority to do that.”

[FromLori]

Video and more at site

[madison10]

...we said so. So there. :p

[Graybeard58]

Yet another rat weighs in with ignorant comments.

[mia]

He’s so sure of mandatory health insurance constitutionality that he doesn’t know where the clause is in the constitution. Hmmmmmmmm and..... we’re suppose to believe all he says when he doesn’t even know if the health care mandate is constitutional.

[guitarplayer1953]

Congress should be made to eat this shit sandwich right along with the rest of us. who once said no one is above the law?

[Senormechanico]

We’ve been stomping on people’s rights for a long time, so it’s a tradition! Where are your “Traditional Values”?

[Texas Fossil]

He did not say it was Constitutional.

He said it was Constitutionally justified. Weasel words for “we can do anything we want to you”.

But he of course cannot.

[stephenjohnbanker]

““Let me see,” said Reed. “I would have to check the specific sections, so I’ll have to get back to you on the specific section.”

Lying POS. He knows better.

[Domandred]

I can tell him what section(s) he thinks it is, but like most Libtards he thinks it means something it doesn’t.

[Safrguns]

Hah!... there is more explicit and direct authority given to the people by the constitution to overthrow the government if it becomes oppressive, than there is to authorize deathcare.

They don’t think they are being oppressive.

Watch what happens when half of our doctors leave their profession over this.

[votemout]

I think Ron Paul said in his stump speech last year that the first thing he does when looking at a bill is seeing where in the constitution congress has the right to pass such legislation. Probably the only one doing that.

[StormEye]

"But it is not unusual that the Congress has required individuals to do things, like sign up for the draft and do many other things too, which I don’t think are explicitly contained [in the Constitution]."

The military draft is also unconstitutional (IMHO) Reid! The federal government doesn't own the American populace.

[When do we get liberated?]

The Constitution is 14 pages, but he can be excused for not knowing where it can be found. The health bill is 2000 pages, but we are to go along with it and assume he knows every nook and crannie of that document. These people are assuming you are stupid. The scary part is that they are getting away with it.

[When do we get liberated?]

If half the doctors leave the profession, that is no big deal. Plenty of substandard brain donors will be ready to fill the gap. Now how about that heart transplant.....

[FromLori]

You know I was at my endocrinologist today and he told me he is retiring in 2011 early before obamacare and he called it obamacare I was so sad I really like him.

[FromLori]

He is also one of the only one’s who votes by the Constitution all the time too.

[hinckley buzzard]

These totalitarian assholes haven't even thought about the Constitution in years. They need some very rude awakenings.

[DoctorBulldog]

The draft is authorized by Article 1, Section 8, Clause 12-16 of the U.S. Constitution:

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

The Constitution does not directly mention the word "draft" or even the older "conscription," but its authorization for the Congress to "raise and support Armies" is a clear indication of the same concept - to use the resources of the nation to create or man an army.

The same cannot be said for health care, as it is found nowhere in the U.S. Constitution...

Cheers

[This_far]

...but said that it was like making people “sign up for the draft.”

Women need not apply? How Taliban-esque of you Senator!

[ak267]

My God, I can see this country getting flooded with Dr. Nicks.

“Hi everbody!!!”

“HI DR. NICK!!!”