Posted on 08/03/2010 7:45:32 AM PDT by markomalley
When Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., was told during a July 24 town hall meeting with constituents that he and public officials like him were "destroying this nation," he smirkingly replied, "And I guess you're here to save it. And that makes me very uncomfortable." This derision of a constituent was particularly poignant, considering that the questioner had only asked what limits would remain on the federal government if Congress could get away with passing a bill as destructive of individual rights as Obamacare. Stark responded that "I think that there are very few constitutional limits that would prevent the federal government from rules that could affect your private life." He was roundly booed, but then given another opportunity to respond. He observed that "the federal government, yes, can do most anything in this country."
Unfortunately, Stark's extreme views are common among the current congressional majority. Still, we have no doubt that those who wrote the Constitution would be astounded to hear such monarchical attitudes today since they were exactly what the American Revolution was fought to overcome.
Sadly, it probably comes as no surprise to most Americans that Washington politicians like Stark hold such a self-serving view of the Constitution. It's still shocking to hear it put in such stark terms. But Americans have been hearing this theme from their leaders throughout the current economic crisis: Those in power are mainstream agents of change, whereas those who, like Tea Partiers, protest bailouts, deficits, tax hikes and exploding national debt are disreputable radicals and even racists. This is the incumbent- protection narrative that seeks to discredit the middle-American rebellion sparked in 2009 when President Obama proposed an $862 billion economic stimulus program that most knew would mostly line the pockets of his political allies.
Congress is subject to checks and balances by other branches of government, as well as to specific constitutional limits. The First Amendment, for example, says "Congress shall make no law" on freedom of religion, speech, assembly and petition. The Second Amendment protects "the right of the people to keep and bear arms." The 10th Amendment says all powers not specifically enumerated for the federal government "are reserved to the states, or to the people." Washington politicians like Stark should get familiar with the founding documents, particularly this radical Constitution whose present advocates among his constituents make him so uncomfortable. After all, every two years for the past nearly four decades, he has taken an oath to support and defend the Constitution, and vowing to bear "true faith and allegiance to the same." It's past time such politicians get right with their vows.
Does anyone know who is running against this moron?
The sad thing is he’ll probably be reelected.
This guy comes across as a senile old codger who is wrestling with the first signs of alzheimers. He doesn’t need to be in a leadership position in this country.
My father served in World War II and served again, when recalled, in the Koran War. I have no doubt that my father is calling from his grave for us to expose and vote out arrogant Elitist, anti-American, anti-freedom, destroyers like Pete Stark from office. My father, I am sure, would consider politicians like Pete Stark a power-hungry traitor and a disgrace to all those who sacrificed to keep us free.
I know that I have no power in this struggle other than to wake up everyone I can to the premeditated and obvious destruction of our Constitution, the destruction to our security, the destruction to our economy, the destruction to our future, and the plotted theft of our freedom by the worthless human debris in this Regime and this Congress.
I know that Freepers and patriots join me in this struggle to expose these Elitist politicians and the dangers facing us.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/djsaunders/detail?entry_id=69185&plckItemsPerPage=10&plckSort=TimeStampAscending
I know that Freepers and patriots join me in this struggle to expose these Elitist politicians and the dangers facing us.
I proudly stand beside you as our father’s stood together!
Some are in for a rude awakening.
You just described 75% of the human waste in DC.
No, it's past time to enact strict term limits to prevent politicians from believing that they are members of a special, ruling, elitist class.
“Does anyone know who is running against this moron?”
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Smegma Stark isn’t just stupid, he is an arrogant,condescending, nasty SOB, even among the abysmal standards of the detritus in Congress.
If anyone hasn’t actually watched the whole youtube clip, it’s worth it. You’re just hearing part of the exchange on the radio. Kimberly does a great job of cornering the guy into stating what libs actually think of their power and of the Constitutional limits thereof.
As far as I know, Stark is the only elected Atheist in Congress. The view that human rights originate from God is rejected by Stark. This is why I believe that an Atheist cannot in good conscience serve in public office. According to the Declaration of Independence, the authors believed that it was the role of the government to protect those God given rights. If there is no God, as Stark believes, our rights come from the state (federal government). In this case the state is god and absolute. Stark is being consistent with his views although his views are in direct contradiction to those of the Founding Fathers. Stark is living proof of just how far we have deviated from our founding as a nation.
“It’s past time such politicians get right with their vows”
Their vows. To protect and preserve...each other. Stocking up. It’s coming.
The arrogance of power from a taxpayer paid employee. He needs to be fired so he can crawl back under the slimy rock he came from.
All the elitist punks in Washington should be relieved of their cushy, perk enhanced jobs (or as many as possible) come November - then we continue until we have every faciest, socialist, communist traitor out of Washington. Oh, with the exception of my Senator, David Vitter - he does a good job and I watch his voting record. (Never let your guard down).
The “litmus test” is pretty simple -
if the congresscritter believes that s/he knows better than the constituents about their individual life decisions, s/he needs to go, post haste.
And another one might be necessary if the ballot box does not provide relief either due to shenanigans or due to the "effectiveness" of public education.
Fortney was the product of a hand-job on a hot rock in August.
I am with you! And I will not rest until we are rid of every last one of the treasonous, elitist ba$tards.
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