We The Irrelevant
Thomas Sowell on how "we the people" are treated as "an obstacle to circumvent by the current administration in Washington" (I don't think it's just "the current administration"):
One way of circumventing the people is to rush legislation through Congress so fast that no one knows what is buried in it. Did you know that the so-called health care reform bill contained a provision creating a tax on people who buy and sell gold coins?You might debate whether that tax is a good or a bad idea. But the whole point of burying it in legislation about medical insurance is to make sure "we the people" don't even know about it, much less have a chance to debate it, before it becomes law.
Did you know that the huge financial reform bill that has been similarly rushed through Congress, too fast for anyone to read it, has a provision about "inclusion" of women and minorities? Pretty words like "inclusion" mean ugly realities like quotas. But that too is not something that "we the people" are to be allowed to debate, because it too was sneaked through.
Not since the Norman conquerors of England published their laws in French, for an English-speaking nation, centuries ago, has there been such contempt for the people's right to know what laws were being imposed on them.
I think this was pointed out in The Simpsons. It was an episode where Homer wanted a law changed so he was told to slip his proposed legislation into a stack of papers on something that would get voted a resounding yes.
Kendra at August 18, 2010 3:07 AM
This was exactly the reason the previous government was abolished.
People really ought to read the Declaration of Independence and remind their legislators of their duties, often. We have responsibilities too, one of which is to abolish governments which no longer meet our needs.
MarkD at August 18, 2010 6:18 AM
Obama is a fascist - a genuine structural, operational, ideological fascist. Progressivism is the American cognate of European Fascism. That's its provenance and its contemporary manifestation. Only in America could naive Liberals be tricked into supporting an ideology completely at odds with their own.
Hope at August 18, 2010 10:27 AM
Given the seemingly inexhaustible need for power that humans in every generation and society have exhibited, I am seriously doubting the possibility that democracy can exist for any length of time in any given place.
What is happening in our country, right in front of our eyes, makes me sad and outraged.
Marina at August 18, 2010 11:00 AM
Democracy cannot survive when carried by the labors of the lazy, watched over by the eyes of the blind, with the issues of the day judged by the corrupt and examined by the indifferent.
Robert at August 18, 2010 11:27 AM
http://matterhornassetmanagement.com/2010/08/16/there-will-be-no-double-dip/
Pirate Jo at August 18, 2010 11:32 AM
http://www.activistpost.com/2010/08/10-signs-us-is-becoming-third-world.html
Pirate Jo at August 18, 2010 11:41 AM
This is why obamas incompetence is a blessing.
Hoho at August 18, 2010 11:57 AM
Why do yuou think our founders refused to create a democracy and went with a representitive rebublic?
Used to be senators were assigned by state legislators, and the vice president was the runner up in the presidentual race
lujlp at August 18, 2010 1:06 PM
Sowell is clearly a racist for challenging Congress and the President's plans.
/s
Oh, and don't forget the healthcare bill made the college loan system go government only. No private loans specifically stated to be for education.
Sio at August 18, 2010 2:29 PM
Sio, there was a particular exception for one particular bank, which IIRC was closely connected with Tom Daschele. Funny how that works.
A lot of states have an "anti-omnibus" provision in their constitutions. It prohibits legislative bills that address more than one subject. I'm thinking it's time the national Constitution had that provision.
Cousin Dave at August 18, 2010 5:03 PM
"Thomas Sowell A Racist ?" He is a distinguished professor of economics and an author of many great books.You try reading some.You would learn a great deal.By the way ,he is African-American.
manny rodriquez at August 18, 2010 7:59 PM
Manny, I put a /s tag in there for sarcasm. I know who Mr. Sowell is. His book on the housing crisis is wating on my shelf to be read.
Cousin Dave, did one get a break due to him? I know South Dakota actually has a state bank and they still offer a loan program but they no longer deal with anything gov related loan wise due to the healthcare bill forbidding it.
Sio at August 18, 2010 9:16 PM
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