Jack Webb Schools Obama on Democracy

[jak1428]

brilliant!

[longfootbuddy]

democracy is the tyranny of a majority

[metalsolosandcovers]

my favorite video with obama

[tweave420]

something needs done,but not that 1000 p

age piece of crap

[whoo689]

I think much of the "disapproval" for the healthcare law was just too many Americans being duped by the lies of the GOP and tea party and think tanks and whathaveyou on what the bill REALLY said. Do most Americans today STILL know what the bill says? Do they know that it can actually HELP them better afford and get access to insurance? Or that it could possibly help lower the deficit in the long term, although that's debatable?

No. They think it's nonsense like "gov't-run healthcare."

[whoo689]

Where the hell did you get that 61% number? No serious polling organization was getting anywhere near 61% disapproval for the healthcare. AT THE MOST, disapproval was in the late 40s. And that was near the end of the debate on this bill. At the beginning, things like the public option were getting upwards of EIGHTY PERCENT approval. Then the teabagging nuts, their corporate masters and the GOP started brainwashing so many Americans to think it's all kinds of crap like "gov't-run healthcare."

[whoo689]

The public option was basically just a Post Office version of health insurance! Yet so many bought into the lies about it being some kind of gov't takeover. I also think part of the disapproval is because the process dragged on too long, and people got bombarded with so much propaganda, and the bill was nothing like what was originally proposed in July or August of '09.

I love how you had the black-haired guy in this clip saying "for the common detriment of man." Ensuring acces to hc

[whoo689]

is for the "common detriment of man"? LOL. Disagree all you want about the bill, but don't make ludicrous claims you can't back up or hyperbolize.

[Sony18241]

@whoo689 wow, you sound like a liberal or dem. craping on the other guy, with no facts to back up your oun claims. other than "we are entitled to it!" ya know, the usual b.s. :)

[whoo689]

The GOP now keeps claiming Obama's healthcare law is a "job-killing" one. But they have YET to show a single empirical study or data proving that the law ACTUALLY has killed even a single job. All they really can do is speculate on how it MAY HAVE "prevented" new jobs from being created, which is very hard to prove. But then again, when has the GOP EVER required evidence for its crap? Ronald Reagan rode in on this absurd anti-gov't wave making it sound like government is killing us.

[Sony18241]

@whoo689 no, reagan believed in a simple philosophy, called "We The People" the people rule the country, the only thing reagan said about gov't being bad was that of big gov't. Why did we leave brittan to begin with? Because their big gov't was taxing beyond measure! taxation without representation. America was founded for many reasons, NOT having big gov't was one of them. Which was what reagan faught against the most in these speaches.

[whoo689]

So many people believed that crap and elected Reagan thinking something close to a more 1800s-style government IS the answer to our woes. Of course, fortunately we never cut government THAT much (which would be disastrous), but unfortunately, deficits just ballooned under Reagan. He kept talking bad about gov't and never emphasized any of the POSITIVES, which do exist believe it or not. yes, gov't does a lot of bad and screws up. But it also is responsible for a lot of good.

[whoo689]

Sometimes gov't is the problem, and sometimes it's the solution. But it's not one or the other all the time.

[whoo689]

Funny enough, in the GOP's new "Pledge to America", most of the things they mention in specific detail regarding healthcare COMES FROM THE NEW HEALTHCARE LAW THAT WAS JUST PASSED! Coverage for preexisting conditions and not denying coverage when you get sick and whatnot. So what about the bill are they so mad about? The fact that it "costs a lot" or is "too big" in size? The fact that it doesn't include a few of their favorite things like HSAs and interstate competition in insurance?

[Sony18241]

@whoo689 i think it's the fact that it's literally being shoved down our throats! seeing as how we live in a democracy, yet we don't even get the opertunity to vote on such an imporant bill?! seems not only really socialist to me, but really unamerican! doesn't it to you?

[Robo1415]

This is good...joe friday could really deliver a lecture....

[hog1775]

Your a fucking moron. No one bitched? Are you fucking retarded?

And yes Bush did fuck up but you think that Obama doing X10 is ok? I really hate you fucking liberal leftist retarded fucking idiots.

[leggink]

We will also give control of health care back to the insurance companies. They know what's best for us. If an insurance company policy holder gets so sick that it would eat into the insurance company's profits, it only makes good business sense that they should be able to drop the policy holder. Why don't the Democrats understand that?

Real Change is Coming - Help the Rich - Vote Republican 2010

[leestauf]

This only real question is whether this fool is just criminally incompetent, or, is he actually trying to redistribute our wealth to the entire world and bring us down to a third world level.

[greengringo2003]

@leestauf Either way, his days are numbered. We've had enough of Chicago smoke and mirrors.

[B0BBARKER444]

@greengringo2003 you are too fucking stupid to insult you dumb mother fuck, YOU are the reason America looks retarded to the rest of the world, not Obama. People like you are the reason y i live in England you stupid ass mother fucking cunt

[PhantasMc86]

@B0BBARKER444 Oh, I'm relieved to hear you don't live in the states. We don't need anymore morons and I'd hope more would follow suit with you and just move to a country already destroyed by socialism and not try to practice that losing form of government in the greatest nation on Earth.

[Poptartza]

@leestauf I believe he is doing both.

[B0BBARKER444]

I like how Bush fucked this country over for 8 years, and no one bitched. Obamas been in office for 26 months and you guys call him A Hitler/ Anti-Christ hybrid, fuckin retards

[bulletpeople]

@B0BBARKER444 When a president does something you don't like, you can criticize him. Bush took his share of criticism. His critics were not very even tempered in their criticism. President Obama is attempting changes to the country that are far in excess of anything President Bush tried. He says he is trying to fundamentally change this country. In our criticism, we remain civil. Why is it that your side was not civil to the less ambitious chnage agent, George Bush? I really wonder.

[B0BBARKER444]

@bulletpeople you are civil?, there were bomb threats, death threats, Beck saying to kill Obama.... you think thats civil

[mink31]

@bulletpeople That change is called socialism!

[Sony18241]

@bulletpeople alfanzo rachel put it best when talking about obama "people say just give him a chance! the chance you NEVER gave george bush?"

[beglebite]

@B0BBARKER444 on top of what bullet said, just because bush did things nobody liked doesnt mean he did things that were wrong. bush saved your ass. if he hadnt done what he did, that war would probably be on this side of the ocean

[B0BBARKER444]

@beglebite the "war" isnt even a war, its a genocide we had need to start, afganistan granted, but iraq? its caused the slaughter of thounsands of middle eastern people cost us billions, and has been prolonged for almost 10 years, its the same as Vietnam

[beglebite]

@B0BBARKER444 what do you think happened in world war 1, or world war 2, the only reason these wars are unpopular is because they are all over the media. nothing about them has changed. considering the fact that i am in the military, i am proud to be among those fighting in iraq and afghanistan

[PUNKem733]

@beglebite So why dodin't Bush concentrate on AL-Queda? Why didn't he concentrate our forces where we knew with more than likely Bin laden and his top guys are hiding? Why the Iraqi mess? It's a well known fact that Saddam HATED Bin laden, and what Al-Queda stood for, and would have never granted them any kind of shelter. Oh right, those pesky WMD, that we never found. There was no reason to go to Iraqi, unless you wanted to clean up/finish daddy's mess from 10 years prior.

[beglebite]

@PUNKem733 A, saddam needed to go as he was killing millions of his own people because they were different from him, that is called genocide and its a crime against humanity. and the reason bush couldnt concentrate more on bin laden was the u.n. we can only do what the u.n. says we can do.

[PUNKem733]

@beglebite So why did he have to use the war on terror to do it? Why not make that a priority when he first stepped into office? He didn't seem to give two shits about Iraqi, until after 9-11.

[beglebite]

@PUNKem733 because of the UN. he needed an excuse for them to let him go in. if the un doesnt see any benifit to them, then they dont see why they should authourize it

[PUNKem733]

@beglebite Bottom line is he should have taken care of the people DIRECTLY responsible for 9-11; not a madman, at that time. After Bin_Laden and his ilk. The people that wanted to destroy America, not a guy who is killing his own, these people are trying to kill us. HELP US, BEFORE THEM!! After that, go to Iraqi and burn it all down, as seems to be happening now, and for the last several years.

[bigdaddy1558]

@B0BBARKER444 No one bitched about Bush ???? What planet have you been living on ?  Go smoke some more dope !

[greengringo2003]

@B0BBARKER444 YOU are the retard. Do you want a free country with free people, or a version of Venezuela or Cuba? You don't really know the difference, do you? What hope is there for you? Have you ever done anything significant in your life? Have you ever heard of the term "self-reliance?" Read some Emerson. Grow up. Become responsible. Uncle Sugar (i.e. the US taxpayer) isn't going to do it all for you anymore.

[PhantasMc86]

@B0BBARKER444 Lol! No one criticized Bush? What country were you living in during his presidency? Before he even got into office he was cast as an election stealing villain by the media. And plenty of idiots ate that bowl of bullshit. It only got worse from there. To say no one criticized Bush is a blatant lie. I'd suggest keeping the nonsense that comes out of your mouth in close quarters. Don't try it in places where people know better.

[Poptartza]

@B0BBARKER444 Obama added more to the National Debt in a year than Bush did in 8. Think of it that way. BTW everyone complained, that's one of the reason's Obama got in.

[Tygra81]

@B0BBARKER444 no one bitched!?! Which alternate reality do you come from? so what were all those signs with Bush as Hitler? If you honestly think no one bitched then your either blind and deaf or insanely idiotic and/or unobservant.

[Australianawareness]

the USA is a CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC not a democracy

[oystercountry]

Next time you go to the hospital, and you get a bill from the hospital, the bill from Doctor, the Bill from the Anesthesiologist, the bill from the ER, the bill for the oxygen, a bill for the asst Anesthesiologist, a bill from the Radiologist. - plus you still have to pay the deductible - and then the insurance will pay only a portion ( if you went to the correct doctor and hospital .

Now you have a bill of over $100,000, and your still owe about $20,000 out of pocket.

Then you will see.

[carnypimp]

Cash for clunkers has almost put me back to work. Kiss my ass Obama haters!

[wildhippy]

I see a few million Democrats that owe Nader an appypollyloggyyyyy, he was 100% right about Obama and Gore would have been in the same trap too what with his funding by the banks as well. Gore DID win, because he was Wall St. man just as Obama was. Wall St. schooled Obama that it's NOT a democracy it's a plutocracy - i.e. Republican win in Mass. they just moved their money to the Rubs. plus Obama voters were fed up already.

[wildhippy]

Bush was no better, although I wouldn't say it was that much worse, he just fucked up a lot of his policies, but the proto-dictatorial style and policies are about the same. With a few miserly sops to the slight of Atilla crowd.

[silverbird58]

they will go bankrupt if they let more money (my money) go south of the border and everywhere else.. keep it here

[theaddams1]

Ok, folks I'm having too much fun having found these on YouTube...I really don't mean to offend anyone...but being the hardcore Libertarian I am this is too much fun...admit it..it's funny...Oh, and did I mention true...

[orion7747]

More lies and fear mongering from the crazy right who are lap dogs for the plutocracy while they screw only themselves. Stupid, stupid people.

[DontmesswiththeUSA]

Love it!

[orion7747]

@Weasler455 And there my friends is the crux of it;, good old fashioned toothless racism. Loser.

[Weasler455]

@orion7747 Fuck you, liberal turd. That's all YOU PEOPLE

can scream - Racist! Racist! Racist!. Ever hear the story of the

little boy who cried "Wolf"? You ought to. REAL Americans are

at the point now where THEY DON'T GIVE A SHIT whether

or not you deem them 'racist'. Be thinking about that.

BTW, if you want to find some 'racists', ask King Shit why

he won't prosecute Shabaz for voter intimidation, caught no

less on tape.

[orion7747]

@Weasler455 Lol, typical obscene response from a loser tea-bagger lap dog of the corporate right wrapped in the flag, but dumb as dirt and filled with hate.

[Weasler455]

@orion7747 You use the vulgar term "tea-bagger" like

your heroes Anderson Cooper, Keith Olberfatman, and Rachel

Madcow (I guess you're one of the 163 people who actually

watch them!), and you call ME "obscene" . Typical genetically

defective fag.

Relax, Bruce. You're just upset because now even King Shit admits the

Democruds are doomed this fall. Don't worry. It'll get worse.

Speaking of tea-bagging, isn't it time for you to meet your buddies

over at the bath house? Oooo!!!

[orion7747]

@Weasler455 ' Olberfatman,' 'Madcow,' 'Democruds.' Wow, that's quite a wit you have there. Your 8th grade education really paid off!

[Weasler455]

@orion7747 I notice that you still can't answer my question

about Shabaz. Instead, you try to change the subject as

best you can.

So how's all that hopey changey stuff working out for you, anyway?

[orion7747]

@Weasler455 Aw look who is actually quoting a Palin's sound bit, lol! Yeah she's the answer.

Shabaz, he's a jerk. Talk about changing the subject. Nice deflection.

[Weasler455]

@orion7747 Sure, why not quote Palin? I mean, I know

YOU PEOPLE are petrified of good-looking women, but they don't

bite Brucey, and they're a hell of a lot better dates than those potatoes

and gerbels you sickies regularly stick up your butts.

I can only imagine your reaction to a white guy caught on tape in a

KKK uniform, intimidating black voters, all while Bush was president.

You would NEVER just dismiss the guy as "a jerk". Liberal hypocrisy

in action.

You betcha!

[orion7747]

@Weasler455 Well there is is, you have no substance so you lob obscene insults. See ya, loser.

[Weasler455]

@orion7747 Sorry, I did not mean to insult your gerbel.

[Weasler455]

@orion7747 Please explain how white racism caused Obama to

ignore a Black Panther's voter intimidation, caught on tape, of

whites. Be specific.

[asauti]

This video has good intentions, but please people... we live in a REPUBLIC. Plato himself wrote that "Democracy leads to Tyranny". Our founding fathers knew this. The word "Democracy" does not exist in our constitution, nor does it exist in the constitutions of all 50 states. "I pledge allegiance to the flag and the United States of America, and to The REPUBLIC for which is stands..." And it stands on the U.S. Constitution. A Republic, based on the rule of law, not by rule of the majority.

[dummjeenyus]

Wish i could love this video...too bad all i can do is like it....

[modspell]

Too FUNNY! and so so true.

[lwarteman]

Does anyone know the name of this episode?

[laschus]

@lwarteman - "The Big Prophet" (1968)

[GJB7733]

Brilliant! Nobama needs to go choke on a bag of dicks.

[orion7747]

@GJB7733 And you need to finish junior high.

[Journeywithinn]

I liked this. It is too bad Obama likes to say we will go bankrupt unless we do this or that. Always with the veiled threats. This healthcare bill ads even MORE government agencies, INCLUDING two different military-type "corps" to handle non emergency health concerns in the US. What does that mean? This bill is so expensive! You need to read it.

[midwestcharm]

Jack Webb should of asked him about the birth certificate

[hornswaggles]

Holy Shit, watch this, it works all too well, suck it Obama.

[momrghtofcenter]

This is great! Love it!

[MrEmesis]

It's too bad that modern Hollywood doesn't have the ethics and morality of my parents generation.

I miss Jack Webb, and others like him.

[f8ldev]

USA = R E P U B L I C....not a democracy

[HandgunWorldShow]

People get the government they deserve. And they can fire the government they don't want. I hope they do when given the chance!

[imgone54321]

By the way the Federal Government is already Bankrupt.................DUH

[gladiator1010]

@imgone54321

Exactly...the Democracy is a bankrupt institution...the Republic is not

People don't realize, we have been under bankruptcy for quite some time now

[imgone54321]

A November that you will remember, LOL

[briancoker1]

I especially like how the beginning of this video points out the truth of the matter, which is that most of us won't be able to afford health care within a decade if we don't change anything.

Last I checked, Obama was DEMOCRATICALLY elected. He now has the authority to do what he is doing, and your recourse is to vote him out of office if you don't like it. That's the way our system works (or at least is supposed to when the Wingnuts aren't in charge).

[jsimmsinokc]

There are so many things in your comment that show your ignorance of the constitution. You might want to look at Article 1, Section 7. I hate to break it to you, but this is a Republic. If it were a democracy as you claim, we wouldn't see this legislation passed. (70% of Americans are against it) Must be sad to have so little belief in yourself and your abilities that you look to the government to save you and those like you. Thank me and those like me for paying for your "free" stuff.

[briancoker1]

We're a Democratic Republic - we have democratically elected representatives who vote on our behalf. As I said before, your recourse is to vote out the people you disagree with.

This is far from a perfect bill - but let's not play make believe and pretend that a) Obama is doing anything illegal or counter to our political system; or b) the other side of the aisle doesn't do EXACTLY the same thing for issues they care about.

[briancoker1]

...and don't think you're doing me any favors or paying for anything I have. Insinuating that because I'm an independent (I'm sure you think I'm a Democrat though) and disagree with you that I'm some leech on society shows the level of your bigotry and ignorance. I know for a fact that I work harder than 90% of the people out there in this country, and I'm willing to bet on it. I happen to own a small business that no longer can afford to provide its employees with health care.

[mraindog81]

this is sooooo clever... not

[mojoidol]

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss, I've had it with Obama's lies.

[sratiug64]

We don't live in a democracy.

[codematrix]

@sratiug64 - Democracy always leads to dictatorship - Pluto

[AtlasShruggery]

Isn't Pluto Mickey Mouse's dog?

[codematrix]

No, its the planet.

[jwka2001]

Obama stop, your embarrassing yourself.

[mark4tk]

tax cuts help us ...obammy care KILLS US

[MojoJuana]

ya wanna keep things nice and simple?

no need to reform private insurance, just let them do whatever they've been doing. who cares? fuck them!

instead, the reform should just be a few pages long...a simple public option or just let americans under 65 buy into medicare.

democracy is when a vast majority of americans want a public option.

obama is continuing the bush dictatorship!

STICK YOUR MANDATE UP YO FUCKIN' ASS!!!

[GIZZYINDY]

That's just it, The vast majority don't want the public option, government involvement with insurance is the last thing you should want. Yes, reform, but when was the last time the government ran a successful program. Medicare is 10 times more expensive than the original estimate, and over 80 billion dollars of fraud has been committed. If government gets involved, the quality will suffer.

[MojoJuana]

really? how can you say majority don't want the public option when every single poll indicates otherwise? medicare works like a charm for folks over 65. doctors and hospitals caharging $100 for a fuckin' asprin is the problem. fraud is rampant in any sector, private or public...it's based in human nature. look at the taxpayers' trillions unaccounted for with the likes halleburton, kbr, enron, etc.

for profit health insurance is to make profits first, whatever second. get it thru your head!

[AtlasShruggery]

Actually, recent polls show that 70% of Americans want a public option.

[jeffmagic32]

recent actual polls show the American people would prefer nothing over the current bill, which is only favored by 30 some percent of the people. But thats not gonna stop the dems from ramming the bill through before anybody has the time to read it.

[AtlasShruggery]

Maybe the Dems should pass the public option under reconciliation like the Bushee RepubliCons did in 2003 with their tax cuts for trust fund babies.

[jeffmagic32]

Or why not just socialize the whole economy by fiat?

[AtlasShruggery]

Nice straw man, Dorothy.

Would you like to turn Social Security over to the Wall Street RepubliCons as yer boy Junior Bush tried to do?

[jeffmagic32]

I would like to get my money back. Chances are, nobody under the age of 35 will ever see any of it back.

[AtlasShruggery]

Actually, even after you RepubliCons pissed away trillions on your idiotic invasion of Iraq and your tax cuts for trust fund babies, Social Security can still pay 80% of benefits after 2045 without changes. If economic growth averages 3% or better annually, Social Security can pay full benefits beyond 2045.

[jeffmagic32]

"My invasion" - you sure assume a lot of things. I did not invade anyplace. So your best case scenario still has the government stealing 20% of the money they forced me to save? Thats a hell of a deal.

[jeffmagic32]

I'm sure you assume people are too stupid to save money without the government forcing them to do so. Thank goodness the government knows better.

[jeffmagic32]

So do you think the federal government has the right to force you buy something from a private company?

[jeffmagic32]

Taxes are paid on income, not wealth.  This is how Ariana Huffington manages to pay no taxes.

[AtlasShruggery]

Um, actually taxes are paid on wealth, too. That's the premise of estate and gift taxes as well as property taxes.

Do you have any support for your silly claim that Arianna Huffington pays "no taxes"? I'd be very surprised to learn that she pays no property or self employment taxes. If she paid no federal income taxes, it's probably because she had losses.

[jeffmagic32]

She pays no federal taxes. We are not talking local politics as far as I can tell.

[AtlasShruggery]

"She pays no federal taxes"

Source? Citation? Are self-employment taxes federal taxes? If she had no income should she pay income taxes?

[jeffmagic32]

fat cats like Ms. Huffington do not release their tax info unless forced to. This was the case when Ms. Huff ran for governor of CA, when it was revealed she paid a total of just $771 in federal income taxes for two years, 2001 and 2002.

Do you think the federal government has the right to force you to buy something from a private company?

[AtlasShruggery]

Epic fail. You just claimed that she paid "no taxes."

Her income in those years was offset by passthrough losses from her S corporation. Should she pay taxes if she had no income?

[jeffmagic32]

for a woman worth tens of millions of dollars, paying 771 total over a too year period is pretty darn similar to paying nothing at all. No wonder she is so enthusiastic about government and tax expansion.

So, does the federal government have the right to force me or Ms. Huffington to buy a good or service from a private company? Your silence on the subject is interesting.

[jeffmagic32]

How old are you? - "epic fail" makes you sound like a 12 year old, yet your fondness for New Jersey butt rock would normally place you in your mid 30s.

[AtlasShruggery]

"butt rock"?

You must be one of those Family Values Republicans like Diaper Dave Vitter and Larry "Widestance" Craig, eh? What is it with you Republicans and weird sexual stuff?

As to my age, I've been working, voting and paying taxes since long before you were born.

How exactly is Huffington's tax bill related to "tax expansion"? Sounds like you're jealous. Maybe you need a new accountant?

[shimauma42]

@AtlasShruggery you still haven't answered with regard to whether the government is allowed to FORCE people to purchase a product they don't want.

[AtlasShruggery]

Maybe you need to reread my comments.

Clearly the government has such authority. Do you find something on the Constitution which specifically prohibits this?

[shimauma42]

@AtlasShruggery The constitution was written to restrict the government to keep us from living under tyranny as the revolutionaries were living under. They wouldn't have written the constitution the way they had if they meant people to be peons of the government. If you like slavery so much, go live in a communist dictatorship, they'll love you in cuba.

[AtlasShruggery]

"Peons of the government"?

Hmmm. It's always amusing discussing the Constitution with people who fancy themselves as originalists. You realize that the Constitution supported slavery and apposed the direct election of senators and the president, right?

Do you consider all regulation to be slavery?

[AtlasShruggery]

Also, based upon your quote from Thomas Jefferson, does that mean that I don't have to pay for Junior Bush's idiotic invasion of Iraq?

[shimauma42]

The war isn't something you are personally billed for, dumbass, it's under the preamble in "provide for the common defense" . Again if you want to live in an area that gets fucked regularly, try out some province in Africa; I hear the warlords love to coddle folks who won't protect themselves.

[AtlasShruggery]

I'm paying for Junior Bush's idiotic invasion of Iraq through my taxes. And, please, can we stop pretending that invading and occupying Iraq had anything to do with defending the US?

In case you hadn't noticed, the preamble that you quote also includes the phrase "promote the general welfare".

[shimauma42]

@AtlasShruggery realizing you can't help yourself, I'm not going to re-explain how gaining Iraq was dutifully strategic to our goal of defending ourselves from terrorists. I will define "general welfare" for you but you are so blockheaded, I doubt it will sink in. General means overall, and welfare refers to wellbeing and safety(like a defense force or firemen). It does NOT mean free money for laziness or irresponsible behavior.

[AtlasShruggery]

Not sure where you're getting your definitions of "general" and "welfare". Certainly, many constitutional lawyers and the Supreme Court disagree with you.

And, please, explain to me how the idiotic invasion and occupation of Iraq helped us defend ourselves from terrorism. Invading and occupying Iraq was a gift to Al Qaida who have used it as a recruiting tool. Invading and occupying Iraq is exactly what Osama bin Laden was hoping for.

[shimauma42]

@AtlasShruggery dork, it's been explained, and your "recruiting tool" term has been disproved over and over since the islam extremists have been after us from the time jimmy carter showed his belly.

my definitions of general and welfare come from WEBSTERS. and no lawyer with any common sense would agree that welfare means FREE MONEY FOR LAZINESS AND IRRESPONSIBLITY...tard.

[FletchforFreedom]

Apparently you hadn't noticed that the Preamble to the Constitution is a statement of intent and grants neither powers nor duties to government.  Those are contained within the active clauses. Further, the Constitution did NOT "support" slavery (and contained the first constitutional restrictions upon slavery in the history of Mankind). That it also had a different method for electing senators than used today and created the electoral college are irrelevant points.

[AtlasShruggery]

"the Constitution did NOT support slavery"

Are you kidding? Apparently you hadn't noticed the Three fifths clause or that 13th Amendment thingy. The Constitution restricted the import of slaves, not slavery itself. To claim that it opposed slavery is just silly.

As to the preamble, please refer to the comments by shimauma42 which references "provide for the common defense"

As I said, it's always amusing discussing the constitution with people who facy themselves as originalists.

[FletchforFreedom]

No, I'm educated on Constitutional law. The "three-fifths" clause did not "endorse" slavery. It was designed to restrict the power of slave states (which would not adopt the Constitution if slavery were prohibited) while the international slave trade was ended by the Constitution.

shimauma42's comment is, alas, mistaken, but only inasmuch as the powers to fund armies and navies are contained in the active articles, not the Preamble.

You obviously haven't a clue what you're talking about.

[AtlasShruggery]

"the international slave trade was ended by the Constitution"

Wrong. Not even close. The Constitution specifically prohibited the abolition of the international slave trade in the US prior to 1808.

Not sure where you went to law school. Maybe you should ask for a refund?

[FletchforFreedom]

Do you enjoy looking like a blithering idiot or is that just a happy accident. The Constitution abolished the slave trade EFFECTIVE in 1808 (specifically 10 years after ratification). If you can;t graso the difference between establishing a date by which something must and end preventing its end until that date, don't attempt to pretend you have any grasp of law whatsoever.

[AtlasShruggery]

Here's the relevant language of Article III Section 9:

"The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight,"

Looks pretty clear cut to me. How 'bout you? Note the use of the phrase "shall not be prohibited".

The importation of slaves was outlawed in the US by the Slave Trade Act of 1807 which took effect on Januar 1, 1808.

[FletchforFreedom]

Fair enough. I am perfectly willing to admit I made an error (a few more an I may catch you). The Foundres - the first governmental body to consider abolishing slavery) originally planned to outlaw the trade but, as did Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration, decided that a stance that prevented acceptance by the States would serve no purpose and instead delayed the abolition for a decade after adoption.

As for "arrogance and ignorance": pot, kettle, black - make the connection.

[AtlasShruggery]

Connection? Nah. You're a typical Republican. Ignorant of both history and the Constitution. You're also a pompous ass whose ignorance and arrogance is on display here for all to see. I called you out on your buffoonery and all you could do was call me names. Pathetic. Lemme guess, you're a Bush voter, right?

[FletchforFreedom]

You have misapplied the Preamble as if it were an active clause; you have misconstrued the "three-fifths" passage (and proved completely iofnorant of its historical context). If you wish to educate yourself, I suggest Rakove's prize-winning "Original Meanings" considered the seminal work on Constitutional interpretation to alleviate your own ignorance.

I'm neither a "typical Republican" nor a fan of Bush (particularly his economic policies now adopted by Obama). I admitted my error. You...

[AtlasShruggery]

Nah. Reread my comments. I never claimed that the Preamble was an "active clause" nor did I misconstrue the Three Fifths clause. I pointed out to you that the Constitution did not "abolish the slave trade" as you claimed it did and you're still miffed about being called out on your ignorance.

C'mon. Betcha you voted twice for Boy King Bush and Draft dodgin' Dick Cheney and you're still sore because Bungler McCain and his idiotic sidekick Sarah Palin got thumped in the election.

[FletchforFreedom]

I love morons who can't grasp that their words are preserved for posterity here.

"I never claimed that the Preamble was an "active clause":

[Not sure where you're getting your definitions of "general" and "welfare". Certainly, many constitutional lawyers and the Supreme Court disagree with you.]

"nor did I misconstrue the Three Fifths clause":

"the Constitution did NOT support slavery"

["Are you kidding? Apparently you hadn't noticed the Three fifths clause"]

[AtlasShruggery]

I think you really should consider either ego reduction surgery or voluntarily surrendering your law license.

Arrogance and ignorance are an awful combination.

[AtlasShruggery]

Yes, clearly the government has that authority. Many state government's mandate that a driver have insurance in order to operate a motor vehicle. Do you find something in the Constitution which prohibits that authority?

[jeffmagic32]

Driving is not a right. Existing is a right. If you exist, you will be forced to buy government approved health insurance from a private corporation.

States have far more authority under the Constitution than the Federal Government. But you know that.

I have no idea who those people are, but they do sound more talented than Richie Sambora, lol.

Huffington favors higher taxes. Except for her. She will continue to pay under $400 per year.

[jeffmagic32]

That is an absurd argument. The Constitution enables the government to do a limited set of things. It is not an endless list of things the feds aren't allowed to do. By you logic, since the Constitution makes no mention of forced sterilization, then Federal Government has the right to sterilize the population against their will. After all, the Constitution does not expressly prohibit the government from doing so.

[jeffmagic32]

so does the federal government have the right to make you buy a good or service from a private company?

[pervertedmind]

lame.

[blogegog]

I think Webb said that illiterate people need books. Somehow, I don't think that's a good solution for illiteracy :).

[jrfrizzell]

Great job !!!

[DammitDrag]

@BlackpeopleLOL Yeah THIS

[haypenny]

Just da facts.

Atta boy, Joe!

[imyoursuperior2]

another great entry

[Moorka16]

Joe Friday for President!!

[MrPOSSUM61]

Grreeatt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ibilldavis]

lmao

[LisaJMoore]

Beyond awesome.....keep them coming...

[77300d]

SWEET!!

5***** and fav