Is Obama’s Health Care Plan Constitutional?

U.S. President Obama

Many are questioning the Constitutionality of Obama’s healthcare plan, which is an interesting premise. Is it Constitutional to compel citizens to obtain health insurance?

It can be argued, people are compelled to obtain car insurance, lest they be ticketed and fined. Therefore, the same principle would apply. In short, it probably is Constitutional, due to established case law in other areas of commerce regulated by the government.

Gibbs Says He Doesn’t Know if White House Has Reviewed Constitutionality of Forcing People to Buy Health Insurance

Monday, November 02, 2009 - (CNSNews.com) - White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs said today that he does not know if White House lawyers have reviewed whether it is constitutional for the federal government to order individuals to buy health insurance and said that the White House is not seriously considering the concerns of people such as Sen. Orrin Hatch (R.-Utah) who believe the mandate is not constitutionally justified.

This was the second time in two weeks that Gibbs had dismissed concerns that the Constitution does not give the federal government the power to force individuals to purchase items the government wants them to purchase.

Hatch told CNSNews.com last week that forcing people to buy health insurance cannot be justified under the Constitution’s Commerce Clause.

http://www.cnsnews.com

Obama Agrees With Bush On Wiretapping

President Obama

U.S. President Barack Obama is reneging on a campaign promise he made regarding transparency in government and honoring the Constitution, by asserting State Secrets Privilege, in having an Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) lawsuit thrown out of court, which was brought on behalf of a group of people, alleging they have been wrongfully, unlawfully and unethically wiretapped.

The mere fact the government is moving to have the lawsuit tossed out of court, lends credence to the EFF's claims. Clearly, something very egregious is going on and this is indeed a cover-up.

Thanks to the New York Times, the public has learned the White House, under George W. Bush, had been engaging in warantless wiretapping. The public learned the U.S. FBI has been reading citizens emails, scanning bank accounts and engaging in warantless wiretapping thanks to the Sound Off Column.

We've learned through Fox News the FBI routinely uses roving cell phone bugs (mobile phones), even when one's cell phone is turned off, to surreptitiously listen into conversations being held in the same room the phone is located. Other items hit the news such as the FBI's spyware program CIPAV.

The public also learned over a decade ago that the NSA routinely spies on select U.S. citizens via Echelon in England, as a technical, but unethical way to sidestep U.S. law, regarding spying on domestic citizens.

As many surveillance tools have now been uncovered, one can deduce, as there are only a number left that remain hidden, this case is based on covering ongoing behavior the government told the nation and the world it denounced and discontinued, but clearly have not, much to the chagrin of the Constitution. Such conduct erodes the nation's name.

I agree with the EFF regarding the current administration's about face, as it is indeed, "Incredibly disappointing." The public expected more.

Obama administration: Toss wiretap lawsuit

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder says a lawsuit in San Francisco over warrantless wiretapping threatens to expose ongoing intelligence work and must be thrown out.

In making the argument, the Obama administration agreed with the Bush administration's position on the case but insists it came to the decision differently. A civil liberties group criticized the move Friday as a retreat from promises President Barack Obama made as a candidate...

The Bush administration invoked the privilege numerous times in lawsuits over various post-9/11 programs, but the Obama administration recently announced that only a limited number of senior Justice Department officials would be able to make such decisions...

The lawsuit was filed by a group of individuals who claimed the government illegally monitored their communications. To proceed with the case, Holder said, would expose intelligence sources and methods...

Kevin Bankston, a lawyer for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a civil liberties group in San Francisco that is pursuing a similar lawsuit against the government, called Holder's decision "incredibly disappointing."

"The Obama administration has essentially adopted the position of the Bush administration in these cases, even though candidate Obama was incredibly critical of both the warrantless wiretapping program and the Bush administration's abuse of the state secrets privilege," said Bankston.

http://www.google.com

Congress Passes Gay Rights Bill

Congress has passed a gay rights bill that, "Extends hate crime protections to gays." It also includes crimes, "Based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Republicans were concerned and rightfully so, that said bill would attempt to regulate speech regarding gays and violate people's Constitutional right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech, as homosexuals have attempted to use existing legislation, to unlawfully silence those that peacefully disagree with their lifestyle choices.

It was stated, "At the urging of Republicans the bill was changed to strengthen free speech protections to assure that a religious leader or any other person cannot be prosecuted on the basis of his or her speech, beliefs or association."

Congress extends hate crime protections to gays

WASHINGTON — Physical attacks on people based on their sexual orientation will join the list of federal hate crimes in a major expansion of the civil rights-era law Congress approved Thursday and sent to President Barack Obama.

A priority of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., that had been on the congressional agenda for a decade, the measure expands current law to include crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The measure is named for Matthew Shepard, the gay Wyoming college student murdered 11 years ago.

To assure its passage after years of frustrated efforts, Democratic supporters attached the measure to a must-pass $680 billion defense policy bill the Senate approved 68-29. The House passed the defense bill earlier this month.

Many Republicans, normally staunch supporters of defense bills, voted against the bill because of the hate crimes provision. All the no votes were Republicans except for Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., who supported the hate crimes provision but opposes what he says is the open-ended military commitment in Afghanistan.

"The inclusion of the controversial language of the hate crimes legislation, which is unrelated to our national defense, is deeply troubling," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala...

The FBI says more than half of reported hate crimes are motivated by racial bias. Next most frequent are crimes based on religious bias, at around 18 percent, and sexual orientation, at 16 percent.

At the urging of Republicans the bill was changed to strengthen free speech protections to assure that a religious leader or any other person cannot be prosecuted on the basis of his or her speech, beliefs or association.

"Nothing in this legislation diminishes an American's freedom of religion, freedom of speech or press or the freedom to assemble," said Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md. "Let me be clear. The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act targets acts, not speech."

That didn't convince Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., who said the bill was a "dangerous step" toward thought crimes. He asked whether the bill would "serve as a warning to people not to speak out too loudly about their religious views."

Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, said the measure was "part of a radical social agenda that could ultimately silence Christians and use the force of government to marginalize anyone whose faith is at odds with homosexuality."

The defense bill is H.R. 2647.

On the Net: Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov

http://www.google.com

FBI Still Doing "Black Bag" Jobs

Photo credit: Getty Under J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI illegally performed "Black Bag" jobs, breaking into properties and performing illegal search and photography missions, in violation of the Constitution. It was ordered illegal in 1972 by the U.S. Supreme Court. Robert S. Mueller It's amazing that all these years later, under former President, George W. Bush and FBI Director, Robert S. Mueller, the FBI still did "Black Bag" jobs on private residences. Some things never change. Let's hope Obama discontinues the practice. William Steele Sessions Another instance of history repeating itself: FBI Director Robert S. Mueller misusing the FBI for political, social and financial gain. Former FBI Director, William Steele Sessions, abused his post as well and was fired for it.

Obama Administration Slams Fox News

President Barack Obama’s administration has slammed conservative television stalwart, Fox News, for its very negative coverage of his presidency. The last nine months have been quite contentious, as the network and the White House spar over numerous issues. Fox News has aired exposés, painting President Obama in a very unflattering light, even refusing to preempt regularly scheduled programming for his nationally televised speeches. Fox News is well within their right to air their point of view and Obama, under the Constitution, is entitled to slam them for it.

Privacy Invading Patriot Act Up For Renewal

The thoroughly treacherous Robert S. Mueller, Director of the FBI

Former President George W. Bush's controversial Patriot Act is up for renewal and the Judiciary Report is against it. Not only is the Patriot Act being severely abused for political and governmental gain, it undermines the U.S. Constitution.

The FBI is using the provision to mine the phone calls, emails, mail and other communications of innocent people, searching for tips in cases and to create a political advantage in others instances.

The FBI is also illegally using it to commit corporate theft on behalf of certain conglomerates, which is a really dirty, dishonorable thing to do.

However, this is Robert S. Mueller's idea of innovation - blatant, outright grand theft larceny, conspiracy and fraud - as a means to unlawfully help specific corporations, executives and the famous - spitting on every standard of decency America (government) ever stated it stood for in the world.

He should be very ashamed of that, as it is disgracing him in the world. This madness helped to destroy the U.S. economy before and it is going to do it again.

Congress needs to rein in that loose cannon or face forthcoming international embarrassment that shall never be forgotten.

Side Bar: I hope Mueller knows his name is gone in the nation and the world, as government reps in several countries are taking extra precautions when it comes to dealing with him, due to the treachery he has displayed, which was too much for many to stomach.

Battle looms on renewing provisions of Patriot Act

Group of Democrats wants to rein in powers of surveillance with new privacy safeguards.

Posted: Sunday, Sep. 20, 2009 - WASHINGTON As Congress prepares to consider extending crucial provisions of the USA Patriot Act, civil liberties groups and some Democratic lawmakers are gearing up to press for sweeping changes to surveillance laws...

"We also are aware that members of Congress may propose modifications to provide additional protection for the privacy of law abiding Americans," Weich wrote, adding that "the administration is willing to consider such ideas, provided that they do not undermine the effectiveness of these important authorities."

The first such provision allows investigators to get "roving wiretap" court orders authorizing them to follow a target who switches phone numbers or phone companies, rather than having to apply for a new warrant each time.

From 2004 to 2009, the FBI applied for such an order about 140 times, Robert Mueller, the FBI director, said at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week...

From 2004 to 2009, the bureau used that authority more than 250 times, Mueller said.

The final provision set to expire is called the "lone wolf" provision. It allows the FBI to get a court order to wiretap a terrorism suspect who is not connected to any foreign terrorist group or foreign government...

http://www.charlotteobserver.com

The FBI And National Security

Sibel Edmonds

Why does the FBI keep trying to block the testimony of whistleblower, Sibel Edmonds. What happened to Freedom of Speech. Why is she not allowed to speak? Because she knows some of your dirty secrets.

During the 3 years I have covered the FBI in my widely read columns, I have witnessed astonishing lapses in national security, financial impropriety and absolute moral failure on the part of the Bureau.

My columns hinted at problems in the financial sector, where individuals were running ponzi schemes not, "Providing a true service not based in fraud, theft or speculation" and “trading what amounts to nothing.” Shortly after, Madoff and Stanford were indicted for ponzi schemes the FBI knew of for 10 years, but let fester to the detriment of taxpaying Americans and global citizens that invest in good faith.

The FBI’s chronic acts of criminal negligence, are a threat to national security and the prosperity of the United States and its allies in the world. If the FBI fails to correct its conduct, America will be left open to new terror attacks, centered on cities such as New York and Los Angeles, to name a few, famed for their wealth and architecture that symbolize Americana, which terrorists hate.

Furthermore, if the FBI cannot control a crazy pop star, stopping her from breaking the law, as they are constitutionally obligated to do, how are they going to control Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The agency under Robert S. Mueller is ineffective, incompetent and weak. The FBI needs to be closed, with the U.S. Congress starting over with a new federal law enforcement agency. Time shall show it.

The FBI has been nothing but a taxpayer draining, unmitigated failure and embarrassment from day one. They left Martin Luther King Jr. to die and they left 9/11 victims to die (stonewalling their agents from an investigation that would have prevented the attack). They haven’t changed since the Civil Rights era. There is something very wrong there.

I don’t believe the FBI has foiled any real terrorists, who keep hinting through released tapes and videos that something terrible is coming. I think this is the quiet before the storm and sadly America’s first line of defense is Barney Fife:

FBI Director, Robert Mueller

DoJ Pressures Ohio Election Commission to Block Edmonds Testimony

8/7/2009 8:06PM - Long-gagged FBI whistleblower re-iterates request for citizen media in D.C. to show up at Saturday morning deposition...

The DoJ is now jumping into action, at least on behalf of covering the FBI's rear, if not yet to issue any "states secrets" claims to stop the scheduled testimony of FBI whistleblower Sibel Edmonds in D.C. tomorrow morning in the Ohio Election Commission (OEC) case of Schmidt v. Krikorian...

http://www.bradblog.com