Posting Slow Down

I will be traveling until the 15th so postings will slow down or some days none. Thanks for supporting this site and look for the volume to return on the 15th.

Buck's Soapbox: Repeal the 17th Amendment!

Buck's Soapbox: Repeal the 17th Amendment!; By H. Buchanan Davis

...The 17th Amendment changed the Constitution to allow the people directly to elect their Senators. It also made it where if there existed a vacancy in then Senate then that State's Governor would appoint a temporary replacement. An example of this happened recently when President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton left the Senate for their new roles. Controversy struck when Governor Blagojevich tried to sell Obama's Senate seat. Although Blago's actions may have resurrected talks of repealing the 17th Amendment, people have fought against the 17th Amendment ever since the day it was proposed. In fact, most people don't have so much a problem with the Governor having this power of appointment. It is the change to popular election that bothers some of us. It is interesting to note that Utah rejected the Amendment in 1913 and several other states never ratified it. It only needed two thirds majority of the states ratifying it, however, which it received in 1913. ...

Saving America's Economy The Constitutional Way

Saving America's Economy The Constitutional Way; Back Up America

With the economic crisis now foremost in American's minds, pushing back their concerns for the ongoing War in Iraq (a manipulated crisis at it's core, occurring just prior to the 2008 elections mind you), below are some suggestions for getting our economy back on track the "old fashioned," way - by abiding by the Constitution. ...

...6. Repeal the 17th Amendment calling for state legislative election of Senators, so that they again have a voice at the federal levels, and are not simply lobbyists at the federal trough for pork bills as another special interest group. No campaign election fraud with respect to the election of Senators, and Constitutional government once again. Institute the provisions that campaign contributions may only be accepted for House members from citizens, not corporate interests, that live in their districts. No outside state or federal funding. You cannot have a government of the people when the representatives serve outside interests, and not the people at all.

Senate to recess without AIG action

Senate to recess without AIG action; United Press International

Max Baucus (D-MT) after the Senate and House reached an agreement on the $789 billion economic stimulus package on Capitol Hill in Washington on February 11 ...

Senate Confirms a Slew of Nominees

Senate Confirms a Slew of Nominees; Washington Post

The Senate early this morning confirmed 14 nominees for top posts in the Obama administration and Democrats are confident that, as soon as the Senate returns from its spring recess, they will be able to confirm career diplomat Christopher Hill to be ambassador to Iraq. ...

Senators seek to Squash Spam

US senators seek to squash spam; AFP

Two US senators declared war on spam on Thursday. Senator Olympia Snowe, a Republican from Maine, and Senator Bill Nelson, a Democrat from Florida, introduced legislation aimed at curbing unsolicited text messages on mobile devices.

The m-SPAM Act of 2009 is intended to crack down on what the senators described as a "growing nuisance for millions of wireless customers."

"Mobile spam invades both a consumer?s cell phone and monthly bill," Snowe said in a statement.

"There is also increasing concern that mobile spam will become more than just an annoyance," she said, citing the danger of "viruses and malicious spyware."

"This significant and looming threat must be addressed in order to protect consumers and vital wireless services," Snowe said.

"Spam e-mail is bad enough," said Nelson. "Now, we are seeing a proliferation of unwanted text messages -- and consumers are getting stuck paying."

The legislation would tighten existing laws and prohibit commercial text messages being sent to wireless numbers listed on the Do-Not-Call registry, a list of subscribers who have indicated they do not want to receive unsolicited calls from vendors.

Comment: The US Government has done such a great job with "do not call lists" and communication regulations, hey why not tackle SPAM too.

US senators offer homebuilders tax break bill

US senators offer homebuilders tax break bill; Reuters

Two U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday to expand a key tax break sought by struggling homebuilders that have been hit hard by the collapse of the U.S. housing market.

Democratic Senator Max Baucus, who heads the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, and Republican Senator Olympia Snowe offered the measure to expand the "net operating loss carryback" window to almost any company.

The legislation would enable companies with losses in 2008 and 2009 to carry back those losses to offset taxes over the previous five years when they were profitable, according to the lawmakers. Current law permits a two-year carryback of losses.

Comment: I have one better, repeal the 16th and 17th Amendments and the home builders will be infinitely better off, as will the United States.

Senate Seeks Names of Finance Firms Receiving Fed Aid

Senate Seeks Names of Finance Firms Receiving Fed Aid; Wall Street Journal

In a warning shot at the Federal Reserve about its disclosure practices, the Senate on Thursday called on the central bank to reveal the names of institutions that receive its loans and what they're doing with the money.

The Senate resolution was a sign of mounting mistrust in Washington about the course of government rescue programs and the Fed's role in them.

Lawmakers are likely to keep pushing the central bank to disclose more about the firms receiving Fed aid as part of its vast financial rescue efforts. The resolution doesn't have the force of law, but could become attached to legislation at a later date.

"It is very hard for any public official to go home and explain that $2.2 trillion of your money was lent out and we don't know where it went," said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) sponsor of the resolution, in reference to the overall size of the Fed's asset holdings.

Comment: Maybe Sanders should simply ask Dodd. All Sanders would have to do is ask Dodd for a list of his political contributors, and bingo, you have the answer to question.

Another Repeal Group

Through my Google News Alerts I received notice about another repeal group called, Repeal the 17th Amendment, quelle surprise, and it's at a site called Newsvine.com. I can't vouch for the site, but hey, any effort to repeal the 17th Amendment is friend.

Levin Questions Pakistan Aid Plan

Senator Carl Levin questions Pakistan aid plan; Los Angeles Times

A senior Democratic senator expressed concerns Wednesday about the Obama administration's plan to triple nonmilitary aid to Pakistan, saying he wasn't sure that would push Islamabad to take more aggressive action against extremists.

Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, raised questions about the Pakistani government's willingness to forcefully confront militants who have destabilized that country and neighboring Afghanistan.

"We've got ambivalent evidence as to whether or not they're committed to that goal," he said.

The plan would offer $1.5 billion in economic assistance to Pakistan annually for the next five years, up from the current $500 million a year.

Comment: Maybe if the States had a say in foreign policy through the US Senate we wouldn't be wasting our money and involving our country in a hopeless interventionist effort.

Senate to Take Up House Climate Bill

Senate to Take Up House Climate Bill; Wall Street Journal

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) said Wednesday that he will take up climate-change legislation being developed...

Spring Break in Havana? Senate Proposal to Lift Cuba Travel Ban

Spring Break in Havana? Senate Proposal to Lift Cuba Travel Ban; FOXNews

Proponents of the bill have not set a date for the Senate to take up the legislation, but they are confident that they have the necessary votes to move ...

Huge Changes to Senate Patent Reform Bill Announced

Huge Changes to Senate Patent Reform Bill Announced; IPWatchdog.com

The Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Meeting on the Patent Reform bill presently working its way through the Senate just ended, at approximately 10:30 am. Last week, on Thursday, March 26, 2009, Senator Arlen Specter announced that compromise was close, and that changes to the patent bill would be “very significant.” It would appear as if Senator Specter was not just blowing smoke. This morning Senator Leahy, Senator Specter and Senator Feinstein all agreed that an agreement is very close on all the contentious issues, including patent damages, willful damages, inequitable conduct, best mode, post-grant review, interlocutory appeals and venue. The changes to the patent reform legislation sound extremely significant, and it would seem that patent reform is going to happen and very soon.

Although the agreements were discussed, the specific language has not been announced as yet, but will be forthcoming. Senator Leahy explained that the Senators and their staff are still working over the exact language that will be put in place prior to the next meeting, which will take place on Thursday, April 2, 2009. The language is apparently going to be circulated prior to the next Executive Meeting on Thursday, April 2, 2009, so that the stakeholders can have an opportunity to be heard regarding the changes.

Senate Oligarchs Set on Socialist National Health Care

Democrats Agree on a Health Plan; Now Comes the Hard Part; New York Times

Efforts to overhaul the health care system have moved ahead rapidly, with the insurance industry making several major concessions and the chairmen of five Congressional committees reaching a consensus on the main ingredients of legislation.

The chairmen, all Democrats, agree that everyone must carry insurance and that employers should be required to help pay for it. They also agree that the government should offer a public health insurance plan as an alternative to private insurance.

But members of Congress are just now turning to the most explosive issues, which could delay or derail the process.

They have yet to tackle the question of how to pay for coverage of the uninsured.

They have not wrestled with vehement Republican objections to the idea of a new government-run insurance plan, competing directly with private insurers.

And they have not figured out the role of state insurance regulators, who enforce hundreds of state laws mandating coverage of a myriad of items, including infertility treatments, prostate cancer screening and acupuncture. ...

Comment: The Tenth Amendment of the Bill of Rights says, "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." The quick response should be that any health care issue or policy is the purview of the states solely; and federal government must devolve all affiliation with it. The alternative is this maddening march to socialism.

“And speaking of poor treatment, those who favor national health care schemes should take a good, hard look at our veterans’ hospitals. There is your national health care. These institutions are a national disgrace. If this is the care the government dispenses to those it honors as its most heroic and admirable citizens, why should anyone else expect to be treated any better?”

Ron Paul; The Revolution; pp. 90-91.

US Plans to Drop Case Against Former Senator From Alaska

US Plans to Drop Case Against Former Senator From Alaska; New York Times

The Justice Department moved on Wednesday morning to drop all charges against former Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, ...

"Does the Constitution Require the Senate to Give Amy Klobuchar 2 Votes?"

"Does the Constitution Require the Senate to Give Amy Klobuchar 2 Votes?"; Dorf on Law

The most important provision of the Constitution is the one giving each State an equal voice in the Senate. How do we know? Because while everything else in the Constitution can be amended by a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress followed by ratification by 3/4 of the States, the Constitution provides a special rule for equal representation in the Senate: "no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate." ...

Mr. Dorf's comment in response to a reader:

One further thought more or less a propos of sobek's comments: Much of the problem here comes from the fact that the 17th Amendment fits awkwardly on top of the original Constitution. When Senators were thought of as delegates from states legislatures, and could be recalled, then even though it took much longer to travel to DC, Senators could be replaced much more easily.

Comment: Great point, it is an awkward amendment, but the law wasn't written to fine tune the US Constitution, rather to further consolidate power into the hands of few in the federal government stolen from the states.

Senate To Press Health Insurers On Reimbursement

Irate Lawmakers Vow To Press Health Insurers On Reimbursement; CNNMoney

U.S. insurers who reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo regarding out-of-network reimbursement rates still have to contend with irate U.S. lawmakers who vowed to continue pressing the matter.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV, D-W.Va., criticized the chief executives of UnitedHealth Group (UHG) and its Ingenix Inc. subsidiary at a hearing Tuesday, saying they offered glib testimony that glossed over the firms' role in the rate-setting case.

"I don't know, frankly, how you sleep at night," Rockefeller said.

Comment: Mr. Rockefeller, I would like to know how you sleep at night also...

Senate Panel Approves Obama's Iraq Envoy Nominee

Senate Panel Approves Obama's Iraq Envoy Nominee; FOXNews

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday approved Christopher Hill as President Obama's ambassador to Iraq.

But Hill still faces opposition from some Republicans, including Sens. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.,

Rockefeller "Internet should have never been invented"

HT: Ohio Freedom Alliance



You should be aware of this action,

Key lawmakers are pushing to dramatically escalate U.S. defenses against cyberattacks, crafting proposals that would empower the government to set and enforce security standards for private industry for the first time.

The proposals, in Senate legislation that could be introduced as early as today, would broaden the focus of the government's cybersecurity efforts to include not only military networks but also private systems that control essentials such as electricity and water distribution. At the same time, the bill would add regulatory teeth to ensure industry compliance with the rules, congressional officials familiar with the plan said yesterday.

Addressing what intelligence officials describe as a gaping vulnerability, the legislation also calls for the appointment of a White House cybersecurity "czar" with unprecedented authority to shut down computer networks, including private ones, if a cyberattack is underway, the officials said.

How industry groups will respond is unclear. Jim Dempsey, vice president for public policy at the Center for Democracy and Technology, which represents private companies and civil liberties advocates, said that mandatory standards have long been the "third rail of cybersecurity policy." Dempsey said regulation could also stifle creativity by forcing companies to adopt a uniform approach.

The legislation, co-sponsored by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) and Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), was drafted with White House input. Although the White House indicated it supported some key concepts of the bill, there has been no official endorsement.

Comment: Tea leaves are not needed to see the future of our country. These idiots make their intentions fully known, all we need to do is pay closer attention.

State Sovereignty-Introduction

Randall C. Stufflebeam, Chairman of Constitution Party of Illinois, has published a very good four part beginner's guide explaining the constitutional issues regarding state sovereignty. Mr. Stufflebeam’s judgment centers on the repeal of the 16th and 17th Amendments, which are critical to the restoration of state sovereignty. This information is very valuable when we consider all of the destructive actions past and present Congresses and Presidents have inflicted upon the US Constitution, and our freedoms and liberty.

Ohio Senators On GM and Chrysler

Ohio Senators On GM and Chrysler; WYTV.com

U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH), Co-Chair of the Senate Auto Caucus, released the following statement on President Obama’s plans for the American auto industry:

“My heart goes out to the thousands of hard-working Americans associated with GM and Chrysler who are worried about their jobs and providing for their families as well as retirees worried about their retirement benefits. Although I am extremely disappointed that the administration believes GM and Chrysler did not go far enough in their viability plans, I give them credit for insisting that American auto companies receiving taxpayer dollars can stand on their own two feet eventually. However, this is long overdue. The type of taxpayer protections and restructuring that the administration is insisting on today are what Sen. Levin and I proposed last fall in our bi-partisan compromise legislation. I am hopeful that, with new guidance, a restructured GM will become healthy and competitive and that Chrysler will come together with Fiat as supported by the administration. Additionally, I am hoping the administration will be unrelenting in pushing GM to make the hard decisions necessary to achieve viability in the private sector and that the administration is truly committed to having a restructured GM that can compete.”

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Economic Policy, issued the following statement following President Obama’s address on the state of the auto industry:

“President Obama understands the auto industry is too important to fail. Our nation’s economic security is tied to the auto industry, which provides more than 250,000 jobs in Ohio alone. Today’s announcement represents the President’s commitment to protecting taxpayers while ensuring the auto companies come out of this economic downturn stronger and more competitive. “This short-term assistance will give the auto industry the time it needs to make long-term plans that will allow it to compete in the global market. It will require shared sacrifice across all stakeholder groups. For too long, cuts have been balanced on the back of workers—who have already made many concessions and are prepared to make more. It’s time for bondholders to come to the table so debt can be restructured to manageable levels.

“As we work to shore up the auto industry, we need to provide comprehensive support to manufacturing. Autos are the centerpiece of Ohio manufacturing innovation and we have more work to do to support auto parts suppliers and manufacturing communities. Last month, I wrote to President Obama about legislation I introduced that would streamline economic assistance to regions undergoing extreme economic distress. I’m pleased the President is now assigning a point person to coordinate rapid response efforts in economically-distressed auto communities.

“The federal government is committed to partnering with the auto industry to promote sales of fuel-efficient vehicles. I’m confident the auto industry will take the necessary steps to participate in this partnership and build the cars of the 21st century.”

Comment: First I have to say it is sickening reading this crap; how did we get to this point where we have silly politicians getting involved with the manufacturing sector is beyond me. But on the other side of the coin, how can these blowhards in Washington put the screws to the automakers and effect so many blue collar jobs, and yet they gave billions to European bankers through AIG with out blinking an eye is criminal.

It's all BS; the US is getting intercoursed by the global elites. We need to get control of our country and stop this march toward global tyranny. We must repeal the 17th Amendment and return the reins of this country back to the states!

Electoral College and 17th Amendment

I came across a very good dialog between the blogger Rossputin, Rossputin.com Rational Thinking About Our World, and his representative to the Colorado General Assembly concerning her position on proposed changes to electoral college. The conversation demonstrates a general misunderstanding by the representative concerning general US History, republicanism verses democracy, the role of the Electoral College, and the consequences of the 17th Amendment and the loss of the state representation in the US Senate.

I’m pleased to say that my Representative in Colorado’s General Assembly, Claire Levy, has responded to my note asking her to oppose HB1299, the move to give Colorado’s electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. Following is that response, as well as my take on why she’s incorrect. The Representatives official e-mail address is at the end of her note, if you feel like sending your thoughts on the issue.

This is a very educational post and should be read by all.