Democrat Congressman Doesn't Know the Constitution

Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) sat down with Democrat Congressman Ciro Rodriguez on August 25, 2007 to discuss socialized health care.

The Congressman was seemingly surprised to learn of the commerce clause of the US Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3: "The Congress shall have Power ...To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes.").

TRANSCRIPT:

Rodriguez: You think it's the Federal responsibility to provide for highways?
Morales: It's interstate commerce [inaudible].
Rodriguez: The majority is federally funded.
Morales: That's why. It's interstate commerce.
Rodriguez: But that's ok right? And health care isn't?!
Morales: There's a big difference between something that's outlined in the Constitution and something that isn't. Interstate Commerce is outlined in the Constitution.
Rodriguez: It is?
Morales: Mmhmm.
Rodriguez: It is?
Morales: Yeah.
Rodriguez: And interstate commerce--highways are part of that?
Morales: Yeah that's why they're called interstates.
Rodriguez: Ok.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• taxes
• democrat
• election
• 2008
• yct
• utsa
• young
• conservatives
• of
• texas
• san
• antonio

[Arinator74]

Nice job director X.x

[AroundSun]

That is the problem. Because there is benevolent intent, a constitutional violation is acceptable? Its not socialism or communism if it benevolent? So long as benevolence rules the day,  any respect to the limits of government go out the window? If the govt says, we don't want the freedom of speech cause some people are offended by what you say, that's benevolence. We believe we have the right to

house the homeless, in your home! That is benevolence! Judge by results not intentions LIBZ

[AroundSun]

@omicah2000 Roads are constitutional. Healthcare services are not. Maybe you should read the constitution sometime and learn something. Socialized is just what it is, socialization. If facts scare the simple minded, oh well. Just because a program may benefit certain people, it doesn't make it a right nor does it make it constitutional. If government controls our healthcare, whats next? Food, housing, transportation, fuel, energy? Why not turn the USA into the USSA.

[AroundSun]

@omicah2000 Wow. Congress does not have the authority to tax and spend for the "general welfare of the nation". The general welfare clause is not an enumerated power. If it is used as a plenary clause then it swallows up the whole constitution. It is not some grab bag for every liberal idea. Article 1 section 8 defines the enumerated powers that congress can write tax law for. Healthcare is not one. These clauses have already been debunked by Jefferson and Madison in the federalist papers.

[favorunmerited]

Subtitled, this would be a must see video.

[granskare]

the republican appointed u.s. supreme court justices gave corporations the same rights as citizens, even if they are not tax paying...but I guess you believe that is their right???

[HayateAce]

Watch this YouTube vid

youtube.com/watch?v=jENE5Nh6qI­s

GET RID OF THIS SCUMBAG

[chevyjcarz]

Do you think bankrupting the nation in the name of the General Welfare is such a good idea? National debt = $5.8 trillion as of 2008is projected to double by 2012 and nearly triple by 2019. Medicare is broke. Social Security is broke. The Postal Service is broke. America is accumulating more government debt under President Obama than under every President in American history from George Washington to George W. Bush combined. We the people wont last very long at this rate.

[chevyjcarz]

Government run health care in my estimation would ultimately ration healthcare, increase costs, taxes and limit our freedom of choice. Why ppl would want healthcare run by the government with the efficiency of the postal service and compassion of the IRS is beyond me. Sure, there are some improvements needed in our present system but HR 3200 is not the answer.

[chevyjcarz]

The Interstate highway system was developed under President Dwight D. Eisenhower under the Federal Highway Act of 1956. Its purpose was for evacuation of cities in case of possible attack during the Cold War and movement of military equipment for defense of the nation. Also, they envisioned it would stimulate economic growth (which it did). Eisenhower saw the autobahn highways in Germany during WWII and thought it was a great idea.