Archive for the ‘Constitution & State Rights’ Category

Click to News of the North Article for complete report, thorough coverage with photos and video from yesterday’s event in St. Germain:
http://newsofthenorth.net/article/Top_Stories/National/Sen_Feingold_faces_wrath_on_health_care_bill_on_eve_of_vote/37758

ST. GERMAIN – Sen. Russ Feingold came to St. Germain on Saturday, March 20, for his 32nd “listening session” of 2010 and 1,256th since 1993 and heard a lot of anger from a sometimes raucous and hostile crowd.

About 100 people showed up at the Community Center at noon for the one-hour meeting and, as expected, health care was the big topic.

Several people made statements, most of which were critical of the health care bill now before the House, or interrupted the Democratic Wisconsin senator with catcalls although appreciative applause also broke out at times from some in the audience who supported the health care legislation.

But for the most part it was a confrontational session as speaker after speaker blasted what they see as government takeover of the health care system. Outside a few protesters carried signs opposing “Obama care.” Another said, “Are you listening?”

The placard-carrying critics included Rudy Fuys of Boulder Junction, who said he was “outraged by the taking of $500 billion out of the Medicare program. That’s ridiculous. Myself and many other seniors have paid for this our whole lives and it’s gone. How can they force this on the American people?”

Another critic, James Lynn of Cloverland, said, “They totally corrupted the government and it’s unconstitutional.” Loyd Black (see video clip below) questioned the senator on whether the law should apply to everyone.

Feingold defended his support of health care reform, noting that the vast majority of Americans favored universal health care. (see video clip below), and that he was standing on principles espoused during his previous election campaign.

In discussing the soaring federal deficit and the need to cut spending, he lauded passage of the Control Spending Now Act provision to cancel unspent transportation earmarks, which won Senate approval last week on an 87-11 vote. He said the amendment could save taxpayers at least $478 million a year and considerably more over time.

Feingold also lent his support to an amendment to place a year-long ban on earmarks, although the move was defeated; he likewise endorsed a plan by House Republicans to impose a year-long prohibition on earmarks.

Another subject that came up during a pre-session interview was unemployment. Feingold said the new jobs bill, which President Obama signed into law last week, includes a payroll tax break to make it a bit easier to business to hire more workers.

“But even with this bipartisan effort becoming law, we must remain focused on creating jobs and strengthening the economy. And since the new payroll tax break expires at the end of the year, more must be done. I strongly favor the approach my own jobs tax credit bill takes, which is to provide firms with a tax break for the next two years to help them expand their payroll and put people back to work.”

Other questions dealt with illegal immigration sparking a testy exchange with Kim Simac of Eagle River, a member of the Northwoods Patriots Group (see video clip below). Deficit spending and global warming also came up, but the subject that was on most minds was health care.

Dr. William Raduege, a family physician who works in Land O’ Lakes, Wis., representing the Wisconsin Medical Society, said there should be a permanent fix for what he called the flawed Medicare payment system for doctors and hospitals, without which access to care would be threatened and limited. (see video clip below)

As the health care debate winds down this weekend and the House is on the verge of an up-or-down vote, Democrats appeared confident that the measure would pass after several months of contentious debate, which has not only split both major parties but also the country, according to public opinion polls. House Democrats were quoted Sunday morning as saying they had enough votes — at least 216 are needed — to pass the bill.

Before the listening session, Feingold, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke with NN.N about a new strain in U.S.-Israeli relations stemming from the Israeli government’s announced plans to expand settlements in east Jerusalem, and the growing possibility that former Wisconsin governor and Republican Tommy Thompson may run against him this fall. (see video clip below). Feingold was first elected senator in 1992 and is seeking a third term.

You Have the Right to Remain Silent

by Kerry Thomas

March 18, 2010

How much of your private information are you going to give to a total stranger this year?

Your government is spending millions of your tax dollars trying to convince you to voluntarily reveal all sorts of otherwise private information about yourself and everyone who lives in your home, all as part of the census.

You do have to tell these government bureaucrats how many people live in your home. But that’s all. The Constitution requires an enumeration, nothing more. And the reason for such an enumeration is to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution requires “The actual Enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct.”

Yes, Congress has the power to direct the manner in which the enumeration is taken. But they are only Constitutionally empowered to take an enumeration. Any other questions are extraneous.

Under our Constitution, you don’t have to answer any question about your mortgage. You don’t have to answer any questions about your name, your age, your sex, your race, or your employment. You don’t have to answer any questions about your income, your employer, or what time you leave for work each day.

The Census Bureau has a catchy little Obama-esque slogan for their multi-million dollar ad campaign about “We can’t move forward until you mail it back.” Move forward? With what? The fundamental transformation of America?

The Census Bureau is also sending out what they’re calling an American Community Survey, which asks even more invasive questions about you and your lifestyle. They say they need this information in order to plan future community projects and to ensure adequate government services.

If you do answer any of these extraneous questions, you had better get them all right. You can be charged with perjury if you give false answers. It’s unfortunate, but most of this information is already in a public database somewhere, be it your local zoning office, voter registration rolls, or even the phone book.

Ironically, one salient question that is not on any of the census forms is whether or not you are a U.S. citizen.

The bureaucratic peons who come to your door asking these invasive questions will tell you that refusing to answer these questions could result in a $5,000 fine. They will cite a federal law that compels you answer these questions.

In 2000, I placed a note on my front door for the census takers, in which I disclosed the number of persons living in my house. When the census takers knocked on my door, they asked if the note was for them. I answered, “Yes.” They asked if I refused to answer any more of their questions. I answered, “Yes.” They thanked me and walked away. So I can truthfully say I answered every question the census takers asked of me.

In the entire 220 year history of the U.S. census, there has been exactly one person charged in connection with refusing to cooperate with the census. It was in the 1960’s and he was charged not with refusing to answer the questions but with perjury for giving false answers.

You see, there’s a little thing called the Fifth Amendment, which ensures your right to due process and says you can’t be compelled to testify against yourself. Every trained law enforcement officer knows you have the right to remain silent. Even terrorists are given Miranda rights.

Archived at KerryThomas.com: http://kerrythomas.com/Archives/Census.htm

Legislation has been introduced in Wisconsin to join dozens of other states in passing legislation that says citizens cannot be required to have medical insurance (opposing Obamacare). Our Representative Meyer is one of the sponsors of the bill. See article below.

• Call Rep. Dan Meyer 608-266-7141 or 888-534-0034 or email Rep.Meyer@legis.wisconsin.gov and thank him.
• Call Sen. Jim Holperin 608-266-2509 or 800-334-8773 or email Sen.Holperin@legis.wisconsin.gov and ask him to support the bill.
• Call Sen. Jon Erpenbach 608-266-6670 or 888-549-0027 or email Sen.Erpenbach@legis.state.wi.us and ask him to take up the bill.

3/15/2010

Nullification? Might not need it this time around

published at FoxPolitics.net: http://foxpolitics.net/politics.iml?mdl=issues.mdl&issue_id=42531&Category=1

Virginia says no way will they allow the federal government to mandate their residents purchase health insurance and as such is seeking to nullify the federal law.

The Virginia Legislature this week is poised to become the first state to pass legislation that says citizens cannot be required to have medical insurance.

Dozens of other states are considering similar measures, possibly setting the stage for one of the greatest tests of federal power over the states since the civil rights era.

If states are allowed to opt out of the mandate, the foundation of Obama’s effort would be undermined, turning the nascent revolt here into one with national implications.

… Virginia’s lawmakers are focused on constitutional questions and the power of states to run their own affairs.
Wisconsin State Representative Leah Vukmir says it just right: “The real goal of national health insurance exchange isn’t competition — it’s a federal power grab that flies in the face of the Tenth Amendment.”

Well, Wisconsin is on of those “dozens of other states” attempting a similar nullification effort. Senate Joint Resolution 62 would create a constitutional amendment which requires adoption by two successive legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective. It’s pretty straightforward:
The people have the right to enter into private contracts with health care providers for health care services and to purchase private health care coverage. The legislature may not require any person to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage or to participate in any health care system or plan.
Senator Leibham is the bill’s chief sponsor, joined by Senators Lazich, Kapanke, Darling, Grothman, A. Lasee, Hopper and Schultz; and Representatives Vos, Davis, Pridemore, Suder, Petersen, Meyer, Nygren, Kestell, Townsend, Kerkman, Tauchen, Kramer, Knodl, Gunderson, LeMahieu, Strachota, Honadel, Lothian, Kleefisch, Spanbauer, Ballweg, Nass and Ziegelbauer.

This is very serious stuff. Normally I’d say If your state representative or state senator isn’t on the list of supporters above (all Republicans by the way, except Rep. Ziegelbauer, D-Manitowoc), call them and ask them to add their name. I’d also suggest railing on Sen. Erpenbach (D-Waunakee), chair of the Senate Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief and Revenue Committee, who so far hasn’t taken up the bill.

But I don’t think we need it!

(It’s a good thing too. I can’t imagine Erpenbach will allow the bill to be heard in committee. On top of that, there’s a good bit of doubt that these state challenges would stand up to constitutional tests - yeah, explain that one – geeez.)

Timothy Jost, via the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that while the Senate bill imposes a mandate and imposes a slap-on-the-wrist penalty for not complying with the mandate, the penalty may not even be enforceable!
… the mandate is particularly vulnerable from an enforcement perspective. It essentially imposes a tax penalty (to begin in 2014 and to be fully phased in by 2016) on uninsured individuals who do not purchase health insurance, subject to a number of exceptions for those who cannot afford health insurance or who oppose it for religious reasons. Individuals are supposed to pay this penalty with their annual income taxes, but the Senate bill waives criminal penalties and prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from imposing liens or levies on a taxpayer’s property for failure to pay. Compliance will, therefore, be largely voluntary (although the IRS can still make a tax resister’s life miserable, whether or not it can ultimately collect). The state bills can thus be seen as invitations to civil disobedience that counsel state citizens to “violate the federal law, wave this statute in their face, and dare them to come after you.”
Time to wave the statute in somebody’s face.

Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net

– shared by Mark Levin, noting a year-long celebration in honor of Ronald Reagan’s 100th Birthday - Click for More

“CPAC Wraps Up Washington Meeting

Saturday

The 2010 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) wrapped up its last day in Washington, DC. The three-day meeting focused on promoting the conservative movement and advocates conservative policies. This session’s highlights include Fmr. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Ann Coulter and Glenn Beck.
Washington, DC”

Recording of CPAC’s Closing Session on C-SPAN

‘Tenther’ movement aims to put power back in states’ hands

Washington (CNN) — Their message is loud and clear: Big government is out of control; states need to take back their constitutional rights.

A movement has been growing over the past two years of urging states to exert their rights under the 10th Amendment. The Amendment, part of the Bill of Rights, states: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

A number of states have passed resolutions that assert their rights. While the resolutions have no legal teeth, they’re intended to carry a message: States’ rights are being trampled on.

The anger behind the so-called ‘Tenther’ movement comes from what advocates see as the federal government’s forcing policies on the states — most notably on health care reform, economic recovery measures and social issues. Read the rest of this entry »

DAN MEYER TO SPEAK TO REPUBLICANS

Wisconsin Assemblyman Dan Meyer will be our guest speaker at our January meeting of the Vilas County Republicans.  There are many things going on in Madison that we should all be aware of that Dan will update us on. The meeting will be…

Monday, January 18
Meeting will start at 6:30 P.M
Wild Eagle Lodge, Chain O Lakes Road
Eagle River

This is a very important meeting requiring your attendance. We will be making the final plans for our Friday, February 5th Lincoln/Reagan Day Dinner to be held at the Whitetail Inn in St. Germain.  Advance tickets are needed, so everyone should be finalizing their ticket sales.  Please ask your friends and encourage all to attend this special evening!

We also need 2010 membership lists into the state party, so it is imperative that you pay your 2010 dues ASAP.

For more information please call Jim Knuth at 715-686-7746.  Thank you!

The Heritage Foundation: http://blog.heritage.org/2009/12/10/morning-bell-obamacare-is-seriously-unconstitutional/
December 10, 2009

On October 23rd, a reporter asked Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): “Madam Speaker, where specifically does the Constitution grant Congress the authority to enact an individual health insurance mandate?” Speaker Pelosi shook her head and before moving on to another question replied: “Are you serious? Are you serious??” Pressed for a more substantive response later, Pelosi’s press spokesman admonished the reporter: “You can put this on the record. That is not a serious question. That is not a serious question.”

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) disagrees. In 1994, the CBO said of an individual mandate to buy health insurance:

Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, October 06, 2009
To the Editor:

On Sept. 9, while the American media focused their spotlights on the continuing debate over nationalizing America’s health insurance industry, the U.S. Senate quietly and with little notice considered the confirmation of Harvard Law School professor Cass Sunstein as President Barack Hussein Obama’s Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget.

Sunstein is a former colleague and friend of Barack Hussein Obama from the University of Chicago.

Unlike most of the president’s “advisors” (commonly referred to as czars), Cass Sunstein actually was confirmed by the Senate Sept. 10 by a vote of 57-40 (roll call vote 274). Both of Wisconsin’s Democrat senators voted to confirm Sunstein.

In his capacity as regulatory czar, Sunstein will be responsible for reviewing draft regulations throughout government agencies and overseeing the implementation of government-wide policies, according to the Washington Post.

The Wall Street Journal says the obscure job “wields outsize power. It oversees regulations throughout the government, from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Sunstein will be instrumental in administration efforts to regulate financial services, control greenhouse gases, and implement universal health care, among other things.

Why should you care? Read the rest of this entry »

Full coverage with photos and video are available at the Northwoods Patriots Website.
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