EDITORIAL: 'Are you serious?' [health care reform]

Las Vegas Review Journal ^ | Nov. 11, 2009

[Lorianne]

When a reporter for CNSNews.com last Thursday asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., where the Constitution delegates Congress the specific power to order Americans to buy health insurance -- a mandate included in both the House and Senate versions of Obamacare -- Ms. Pelosi responded: "Are you serious? Are you serious?"

"Yes, yes I am," the reporter for CNSNews.com replied.

Ms. Pelosi shook her head and took a question from another reporter, never giving an answer.

Her spokesman, Nadeam Elshami, then advised CNSNews.com that asking the speaker of the House where the Constitution authorized Congress to mandate that individual Americans buy health insurance was not a "serious question."

"You can put this on the record," said Mr. Elshami. "That is not a serious question. That is not a serious question."

[Lorianne]

Might I suggest that we have more serious problems than we can even fathom.

[c-b 1]

Much more serious than we can fathom.

[Lorianne]

Nancy Pelosi asks “ Are you serious?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mss8f2CznM

[A_Former_Democrat]

Nancy?

“Are you experienced”?

[Birdlady]

How have we, as American citizens, come to being FORCED by our own Congress, to BUY anything???

[ronnie raygun]

This arrogant bitch needs to be fitted with an orange jump suit and we will have our day with all of them soon I hope!
When the time comes close to a victory over these self anointed arrogant despicable Cretans we should demand of our newly elected officials an investigative committee and special prosecutor to bring these criminals to justice. CRIMES AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND IT'S PEOPLE.

[Tennessee Nana]

Than how about a serious answer anyway...

or not...

[WashingtonSource]

A very serious bump.

[Osage Orange]

If you can just get your mind together

Then come on across to me

We'll hold hands and then we'll watch the sunrise

From the bottom of the sea

But first, are you experienced?

Have you ever been experienced?

Well, I have

I know, I know you probably scream and cry

That your little world won't let you go

But who in your measly little world

Are you trying to prove that

You're made out of gold and, eh, can't be sold

So, are you experienced?

Have you ever been experienced?

Well, I have

Let me prove you...

Trumpets and violins I can hear in distance

I think they're calling our names

Maybe now you can't hear them, but you will

If you just take hold of my hand

Oh, but are you experienced?

Have you ever been experienced?

Not necessarily stoned, but beautiful...

[stayathomemom]

Let’s just do away with the Supreme Court then.

[hetzman]

We Haven’t, what are they going to do put the whole country in jail? Then we’ll all have free health care.

They can pass what ever they want with out our consent, but enforcing it will be another matter

[Cheerio]

How have we, as American citizens, come to being FORCED by our own Congress, to BUY anything???

There is going to have to ba another way of stopping this - Congress is not listening to the people - we are nothing more than a tax source. What happened to Representative Government?

[goldstategop]

The Constitution is not a serious question to our politicians. Its very design precludes an expansive European-style welfare state.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[jwalsh07]

The followup question should be ‘Is there anything that the federal government can’t force American citizens to purchase?’

[goldstategop]

Social Security is a contributory in kind retirement program. Obamacare on the other hand is a confiscatory entitlement program. The two are not exactly the same. And Obama is no FDR.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[grumpygresh]

The mandate is the linchpin that keeps government health care in force. It’s clearly unconstitutional for the federal government to exceed it’s enumerated powers. Furthermore, not buying health insurance cannot be considered commercial activity and thus not subjected to twisted interpretations of the commerce clause. We must get the Senate to do a judicial review by the supreme court of this horrible legislation.
The Dims MUST declare this health care legislation as a TAX for it to have a chance to pass constitutional muster. Even the person paid the tax, he could still refuse to accept the government benefit. I suspect that the Dims will not be willing to call this a tax because it will have to be applied to those making less than 250K and thus politically toxic.
If such a mandate did pass, I wonder if there would be any ways of hastening a supreme court decision. If the mandate to buy insurance was declared unconstitutional the whole plan would fall apart. Meanwhile, insurance premiums would be so high (more government insurance mandates) that most people would be forced to go without insurance. I wonder if it would technically be possible to purchase health insurance in another country for catastrophic coverage of US citizens in the US?

[rovenstinez]

I really think we need to add our PETS to this Health Care. We have little Fido, and Little Mitsy kitty that need to get health care, sometimes they get constipated. It should be looked at seriously PETA...would add this addendum to the bill, and all dog lovers and cat lovers want this. MORE...Health Care coverange PLEASE. It’s in the CONSTITUTION...dummy are you serious?

[FredZarguna]

I’m sure she’s been stoned. But never beautiful.

[Cheerio]

I suspect that the Dims will not be willing to call this a tax because it will have to be applied to those making less than 250K and thus politically toxic.

I seriously doubt if they care anymore about that pledge. Piglosi has already broached the VAT. They know they must get all this radical legislation passed before Nov 2010, and I really don't think they care what gets lost in the process - they appear ready to make the blu dogs walk the plank.