Tyrant Pelosi on Slaughter Rule: "I Like It Because People Don't Have to Vote On the Senate Bill"
Posted by Jim Hoft on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 5:43 AM
It’s Come to This… We’re Ruled By Tyrants.
Leftist House Speaker and tyrant Nancy Pelosi said she likes the Slaughter Rule because “people don’t have to vote on it.”
This way democrats can take over chunks of the US economy at a time and won’t even have to vote on it.
The Washington Post reported:
After laying the groundwork for a decisive vote this week on the Senate’s health-care bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested Monday that she might attempt to pass the measure without having members vote on it.
Instead, Pelosi (D-Calif.) would rely on a procedural sleight of hand: The House would vote on a more popular package of fixes to the Senate bill; under the House rule for that vote, passage would signify that lawmakers “deem” the health-care bill to be passed.
The tactic — known as a “self-executing rule” or a “deem and pass” — has been commonly used, although never to pass legislation as momentous as the $875 billion health-care bill. It is one of three options that Pelosi said she is considering for a late-week House vote, but she added that she prefers it because it would politically protect lawmakers who are reluctant to publicly support the measure.
“It’s more insider and process-oriented than most people want to know,” the speaker said in a roundtable discussion with bloggers Monday. “But I like it,” she said, “because people don’t have to vote on the Senate bill.”
Previously:
Nancy Pelosi: “We Have to Pass Our Bill So That You Can Find Out What Is In It”
Nancy Pelosi: The Debate Over Obamacare Will Begin After the Bill Is Passed
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Published May 24, 2012 at 8:46 pm - 77 Comments
Betsy Ross commented:
Wow….who knew these clowns could just “deem” things so? Why don’t they just use the slaughter rule on everything? Then those pesky voters would just go away and pelosi/reid/obama can run our lives….yeah, that’s the ticket…
Tommy John commented:
I fully support Pelosi, Reid, Obama, et al…
I want to see them bypass the Constitution and have the Supreme Court (hopefully it won’t need to get that far- won’t say much for our judicial system if it does) crush them.
The voters throwing these criminals and tyrants out of office beginning this November (Hopefully memories will stay fresh) will be a great thing, but too much damage to our system of government, our welfare, and our Country can be done before then if these criminal acts go unnoticed and unpunished.
Liz commented:
OK this crazy woman and her posse no longer has the “consent of the governed.” So great, now the Republican minority can just “deem” that the unspent stimilus needs to be given back now? Can they “deem” that Congress and the president get a pay freeze until unmployment is down? Can they “deem” that Biden loses his visa to Israel until he can apologize and promise to behave himself with our friends there? What’s with Obama and his people? Does he have a brain in his head? Why does he want to tee off Israel and consistently make the world hate us with his arrogance and ineptitude?
Ginger commented:
I can not wait to see Pelosi the B!+CH…SCUM BAG… sent to the basement and her jet taken away from her! I want to see the scumbag suffer for a while in the basement with NO FRIENDS because believe me they will give her the hell she gave to them! THEN I WANT TO SEE HER RAN OUT OF CONGRESS!
AuntieMadder commented:
“But I like it,” she said, “because people don’t have to vote on the Senate bill.”
Well, I like getting things my way, too, without other people having a say in it. Having things my way works out pretty good for me here at home. That’s not the way it’s supposed to work on the Hill, however. Perhaps, Nancy, you should just pack it up and go home, where you, too, can get things your way all the time with no one else having a say in it or a vote on it.
Robert commented:
Yesterday Obama spoke of “courage” and today
they are afraid to stand up and vote for their own bill.
the Boodge commented:
Where is our military? They took an oath to protect US from the enemy within and obama and crew have proven themselves to be just that!
AuntieMadder commented:
Ginger
March 16th, 2010 | 8:23 am | #4
Don’t count on it, Ginger. I’m absolutely positive that, shoud the lefturds in her district no re-elect her (which could happen as it is southern Cali, ya know), she and Obamao have already lined up a cushy, over-paid and under-worked position or seat for her somewhere toward the top of the Federal govt (or new socialist govt or dictatorship or whatever the hell it is now). The same, though probably not as cushy or over-paid, although just as under-worked, for Reid, Ben Nelson, the Dem rep from Louisianna (can’t remember her name), and a dozen or even dozens of others who are in on this move to socialize the US in one bill. In fact, I suspect that’s what Pelosi’s public urging to Dem reps to vote for the bill even if it costs them their political careers. That way, it’ll appear that they sacrificed their careers to “do the right thing” because they’re so principled, and it’s worth losing their jobs over, when, in fact, they have other jobs already lined up in cushy govt positions never or seldom in the public eye so John Q Public will never find out the truth. (Yes, I do believe they’re that sleazy and conniving.)
Hedgehog commented:
They think that they are the Politburo. This can not be tolerated.
Indy Voter commented:
Tyranny…this is tyranny
It’s hard for me to see what is happening to our country but let me tell you, it’s really painful to see it from a Veteran’s point of view. Our military take their Oath seriously, it disguts them more than you can imagine to see Nancy and Team shred our Constitution.
I’ve spoken with many Vets who are outraged. You don’t even have to talk to them, it’s in their eyes. They are actively opposing this by doing the same we are, active in Tea Parties, some are running for office, they march on DC, call / write members of Congress.
Neoavatara commented:
If you haven’t seen it, both liberals and conservative should watch Lawrence O’Donnell’s take of health care on Morning Joe this morning…it is priceless.
http://neoavatara.com/blog/?p=10427
Opaobie commented:
So using Pelosi’s logic, She and Harry Reid and Barack Obama and Joe Biden are all officially IMPEACHED….no need to vote on it, just declare it DONE !
DINORight commented:
“But I like it,” she said, “because people don’t have to vote on the Senate bill.”
She said it – now she is guilty of breaking her oath to the US Constitution (“to protect and defend the Constitution”). Thank God for YouTube – this can and WILL be used to hold her accountable!
This “Slaugher Solution” voilates Article 1 Sec. 7 of the US Constitution, which states, in part, that A Bill must be passed by BOTH HOUSES without changes BY A VOTE with a roll call and names recorded. By her own words, the Speaker of the House is, in essence, declaring that she supports violating the Constitution; she wants to, in effect, allow “martial law” to control our country!! Outrageous!
Do you realize this statement will “hang” her? She has violated her oath – a “high crime and misdemeanor.” She is a criminal and a tyrant – she MUST be removed!
down with dems commented:
SURPRISE!
Pelosi and Waxman and Slaughter (those names sound familiar?) OPPOSED this very maneuver back in 2005 when Republicans wanted to do it:
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/03/16/guess-who-opposed-the-slaughter-rule-in-2005/
However, the appellate court allowed it to happen anyway… so what did Nancy Pelosi learn? That she could use it to her own advantage sometime down the road in the future. Well now we’re there, and she’s pulling it out of her bag of tricks.
Betsy Ross commented:
Do it, nancy. Deem obamacare a bill….nothing would please me more than for dems to show the world their true intent… tyranny…
Finncrisp commented:
Nothing surprises me about this Woman. The naked power grab is an outrage that we must respond to. We must take back our country and never forget what happens when we trust our future to others, and we get those who are unethical.
Once they are out, we need to clean house on these legislative rules that can be used in this way to delibrately and with foresight deny the will of the people.
Pat the First commented:
Do these guys even realize that they are opening up “Pandora’s box” with their actions? What stops the GOP from using reconciliation to amend the life out of this abomination? Reconciliation is for budget bills ONLY!
So, can the GOP use this “deem passed” process when they gain majority in November to amend the bill? I would say, “yes, they can”.
What makes them think that the GOP won’t use both methods now that they are using them for bills unconstitutionally to undo the Dems mess?
Are they really this stupid? I guess, “yes” would be the answer.
mmcu commented:
ABUSE OF POWER
Pat the First commented:
down with dems
March 16th, 2010 | 8:49 am | #14
Looks like it was used for budget purposes in 2005. There is nothing about this healtcare bill that has to do with the budget. NOTHING.
The Dems have now opened that door. What stops the Dems for using the “Slaughter Solution” to amend this mess into just a bowl of jelly.
Pat the First commented:
What stops the GOP for using the “Slaughter Solution” to amend this mess into just a bowl of jelly.
AuntieMadder commented:
Indy Voter
March 16th, 2010 | 8:39 am | #10
Indy Voter, I believe that you vets are outraged. Hell, I’m outraged and I’ve not done anything for freedom but run my mouth and pay taxes. So, I can only imagine how much more outraged you men and women are.
Just remember that those of us outside the wanna-be ruling class in DC and their liberal-past-the-point-of-insane butt-kissers don’t take your service to this country for granted. We’re outraged right along with you.
Beachbum commented:
“She added that she prefers it because it would politically protect lawmakers who are reluctant to publicly support the measure.”
SAY WHAT ???
First, Pelosi shows what long term use of Botox does to your brain.
Second, this woman is a complete idiot if she thinks that using this Slaughter rule will protect her Democratic clones come November.
Not only does the majority of Americans NOT want this pile of crap they call health care but by not actually voting on their so called fabulous bill and hiding under their usual rock like the slime they are, the repercussions will be even worst for them than if they stood up and voted.
My children act more adult than these so called representatives of our great nation. Hide under a rock – aka rule – for cover in hopes that we will believe this crap that they didn’t vote for the bill.
The people who think we are idiots are in fact the idiots.
Come November, there will be no rock for these people to hide under and no Slaughter rule to protect them from US !!!
Ladue Pundit commented:
Don’t forget about the student loan takeover. All the campus morons coast to coast are too stupid to realize that after June 2010, they will be unable to consolidate their loans.
All loans agreed to between private parties will have their terms abrogated by Obama’s central planners. No one knows what the changes will be, but we do know that we can’t trust this regime.
I have two kids in college and talked to both of them about spreading the word to their Obama-voting classmates: we are living their stupidity.
AuntieMadder commented:
“She added that she prefers it because it would politically protect lawmakers who are reluctant to publicly support the measure.”
Blatantly promoting passive aggression. The whole bunch of them in DC are pathological.
Ginger commented:
I guess that the demo rats that are voteing to pass this death bill has their family members and friends covered? Right? If they don’t they are really, really heartless! Sad isen’t it that they can so easly pass such a cruel health care to cover themselves and could care less of others.
Please I know there is several people out there that has the truth about Barry/Steve/Barack/ aka. Expose the SOB and stop this awful thing that is happening to our country. Who ever exposed Barry to the BAR in Illinois and had him desbarred has the proof! The BAR has the proof! A lot of people has the proof to expose the fraud.
This is what is angering me the most! A lot of people has the truth on him and chooses to ither black mail him or just out right protect him! If it seams like I am rambling I guess that I am! I hope that who ever holds the truth on the fraud is abetting and the blood of others will be on their hands.
And may God NOT have mercy on their souls!
Opaobie commented:
Unless you live in the district of one of these Democrats, including Pelosi, you have to depend on the voters in their districts to vote them out. If those voters retain them in November, you will know every district where the enemy reside. Anyone who would vote to retain these criminal Marxists is complicit in the “transformation” of the United States from a Representative Republic into a Socialist Tyranny and is an enemy of Liberty…and of the United States.
down with dems commented:
Pat the First
March 16th, 2010 | 8:58 am | #19
It was used for budget purposes in 2005, BUT the point is that Pelosi, Waxman, and Slaughter OPPOSED its use for budget purposes BACK THEN.
NOW those very people hypocritically want to use it for something much more insidious–Obamacare–and the HotAir piece seems to state that Pelosi can get away with it.
“In other words, the signatures of the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate are considered authoritative on the question of process. The court refused to interfere on a political question in 1892 and has maintained that precedent since. Unless this Supreme Court intends on overturning Marshall Field — an action that would create a constitutional crisis — Pelosi’s signature will be considered “unimpeachable,” at least in terms of process.”
As much as the PROCESS stinks to all of us, it sounds like it doesn’t matter how much it stinks because, per HotAir, “the signatures of the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate are considered authoritative on the question of process” — so Pelosi gets to be the judge on whether she herself is using proper process.
She’s not totally stupid — she saw something in 2005, and kept it on the back burner until she needed to whip it out for her own ends.
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/03/16/guess-who-opposed-the-slaughter-rule-in-2005/
Indy Voter commented:
AuntiMadder
Your comments are greatly appreciated. My spouse is the veteran, a bum knee kept me from serving so I support the military in other ways such as sending letters/packages to those in harm’s way and fighting this leftist agenda.
Daily, I see my spouse disgusted with what’s happening. It is extremely difficult to watch. There are no words I can offer to ease the pain, only do my part to educate as many as I can to open their eyes…turn off American Idol and read history and discuss current events. I hope my father-in-law, Korean War Vet., is haunting the halls of Congress since I know he cannot be resting in peace. If he were still with us, I know he would have destroyed a few TVs…this is such an outrage.
Is there not one good Democrat in Congress or Governor who can stand up and say, this is wrong??? Are there any good Democrats left? I applaud those who are voting no on the bill but don’t stop there, get in front of the cameras and say no, this is not right…we must stand up for our Constitution.
My children are not yet of voting age but they know what is going on as well as some of their classmates…we must educate our children to stand up against tyranny.
Here’s a Vet to support if you can, there are others running for office too…God Bless them and all who stand for freedom.
http://allenwestforcongress.com/
Just a thought commented:
Michelle Bachman is one of those women who continues to become more attractive as she grows older. Nancy Pelosi, well, she just continues to grow older, kind of like James Traficante, but with a better haircut.
Opus #6 commented:
Constitution? Pelosi needs a crash course.
down with dems commented:
Ladue Pundit
March 16th, 2010 | 9:18 am | #23
On Glenn Beck recently it was discussed how part of Obama’s student loan plan was to require students to pay back X% of their income for the 10 years following graduation, then anything that hadn’t been payed back after 10 years was forgiven. EXCEPT if you went into public service after graduation, then you had to pay back X% of your income for 5 years, after which the balance was forgiven. Sounds like a recipe to grow government and teach irresponsible borrowing…. not to mention the fact that there’s no economic explanation of what happens to all these forgiven loans.
Step 1: Go to an expensive Ivy league school on government-run loans.
Step 2: Graduate and enter public service.
Step 3: Make 2-3x as much money in public service as private sector equivalent workers.
Step 4: Pay off less of your loan than your private sector equivalent (because even making 2-3x more money in the private sector, you are only required to make loan payments for half the time as a public sector employee)
Step 5: After 5 years have all outstanding loan balances forgiven and rake in the cash from your government job.
Fuzzy commented:
Um, isn’t this the same group who were trumpeting “accountability” from the rooftops, and now they are so scared of this bill and of how amazingly unpopular it is that they’d rather violate the Constitution than attach their names to a “yes” vote? Wow. And this makes sense to them how?
down with dems commented:
House Republicans to force vote on Pelosi’s Slaughter House solution
http://michellemalkin.com/2010/03/16/house-republicans-to-force-vote-on-pelosis-slaughter-house-solution/
Just heard from GOP Hill folks:
“House Republican leaders will announce this morning a plan to force a vote this week on a resolution that would require the Senate health care bill to be brought to an actual up-or-down vote. The likely text of the measure is below. If passed by the House, the resolution would prohibit Speaker Pelosi from implementing the “Slaughter Solution,” the scheme by which House Democratic leaders are seeking to “deem” the Senate bill as passed without an actual vote in the House. More details to come.”
pm commented:
Thanks, neoavatara #11 — agree it was worth seeing.
Joe wraps things up, saying O’Donnell “the socialist” says this bill will:
– cut your benefits
– raise your taxes
– bankrupt the country
Honesty from a socialist. And though he said it’s an incredible long shot to pass this bill, he still didn’t want to bet on it –
Would that be because he is still for it? Insanity, if so.
AuntieMadder commented:
Indy Voter
March 16th, 2010 | 9:36 am | #28
I’m already rooting for Alan West. I’ve watched on YouTube and read transcripts of his speeches, as well as his Facebook posts. He’s the real deal. I wouldn’t mind if he ran for POTUS one day. If, however, he’s ever prez, I’ll be sad that his name won’t be next to First Black President of the United States in the history books, nor will I get to celebrate the “historic event” with the masses. (That’s something I just knew I’d do if the first black prez was in my lifetime. Then, that prez turned out to be Obamao and so there was nothing to celebrate.)
Well, remind your wife that we aren’t all a bunch of ingrates who don’t appreciate folks like her who were/are willing to put it all on the line for the US and her citizens. Nor are we all a bunch of morons; some of us didn’t vote for this prez and congress that we’re saddled with now.
mmc commented:
Slaughter is a member of the progressive caucus -she supports the Fairness Doctrine and fed $$$ to fund abortion. We have got to get rid of ALL progressives who run as democrats and repubs. Do your homework before you vote.
Aitch748 commented:
I think I’d cheer if DC was neutron-bombed right now.
Gravis commented:
Screw impeachment. Exile this woman and her friends to go live in the middle east, along with having nothing, but a suitcase of clothes. No money. No soldiers to protect them. Just survival.
Get the hell out of our country, Pelosi.
plainslow commented:
Do they not realize, that this would set a precedent? Could you imagine how much Ronald Reagan could of done, had he took office with a precedent like this in his bag of tricks.
Imagine what the republican congress will be able to do, when they win later this year. Be careful what you wish for Nancy. What goes around comes around.
DINORight commented:
Another thing: if Obama signs this after this travesty of a process “rule” is used, it will be in direct violation of the US Constitution. That is a “high crime and misdemeanor” without a doubt. Our “Constitutional-scholar-in-Chief” MUST know this is in direct violation of the Constitution.
November is coming; impeaching a President who would sign a Bill that follows a clearly unconstitutional “rule”, violating his oath of office, is possible – with a Republican majority in the Senate.
That MUST be another goal for November!! Get these tyrants and criminals OUT of office.
DINORight commented:
Plainslow:
This is being touted as “already been done by the Republicans” yet, reality shows that the Republicans did nothing like this – NO ONE has ever done anything like this in the history of our nation.
According to Mark Levin, and his guest last week on the Mark Levin radio show, Reagan would NOT follow anything like this if it violated the US Constitution.
From that same show: if this can be “deemed” to be voted on, ANYthing can be “deemed” to be voted on, leading us to the state of martial law.
Tyrants rule this way. Representative governments do not!
aprilnovember811 commented:
Just heard from GOP Hill folks:
“House Republican leaders will announce this morning a plan to force a vote this week on a resolution that would require the Senate health care bill to be brought to an actual up-or-down vote. The likely text of the measure is below. If passed by the House, the resolution would prohibit Speaker Pelosi from implementing the “Slaughter Solution,” the scheme by which House Democratic leaders are seeking to “deem” the Senate bill as passed without an actual vote in the House. More details to come.”
They don’t need to do this, they have the Constitution.
aprilnovember811 commented:
Hey, do you think Obama is sitting in the White House, because the Dems/Communists, “deemed,” Obama eligible?
Andreas K. commented:
People don’t have to vote on it.
This happened in Europe with the Lisbon Treaty. We, the European peoples, were not allowed to vote on it, because our so called “leaders” didn’t think it was necessary (and they knew that it would fail like the EU constitution a few years back.)
This is what communists do. This is what fascists do. Pelosi and her ilk are fascists.
Militant Conservative commented:
I deem Nancy and other not fit for service.
You will be removed. The American patriots will be coming for you. powder is dry.
bill-tb commented:
Lawless tyrants have taken over the Democrat party.
It sure simplified things, just look for the “D” and vote them out, all of them.
It’s what tyrants do, like NObama’s mentor Hugo Chavez.
Joanne commented:
Insanity. Pelosi is such a evil piece of work. I can’t wait until she is tried for treason, dressed in prison garb, and put into isolation for the rest of her life.
Joanne commented:
Andreas K – the ‘leader’s’ knew full well the peoples of Europe would reject entering the European Union, and that is why they campaigned on giving the people the vote, but then refused to give the people the vote once voted in – like in Britain.
Maybe it is time for the people of the U.S. to have their own vote, and vote the people in government out on their backsides. America belongs to the people, not the people in the government.
BigJ commented:
How stupid does she think we are?? If this liberal puke thinks people will change their minds this November because some Democrats (technically) didn’t vote for the bill, she’s got too much Botox in her brain.
Chisum commented:
Dead Congress Walking
http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/dead-congress-walking
M Malone commented:
Slaughter and Pelosi have invented the Legislative Derivative Swap. This didn’t work out so well for the banks either.
AuntieMadder commented:
bill-tb
March 16th, 2010 | 11:29 am | #46
Lawless tyrants have taken over the Democrat party.
It sure simplified things, just look for the “D” and vote them out, all of them.
It’s a start but not enough. We’ve got to make sure that we only select those with Rs who aren’t simply Progressives or Demonrats who wear the R as a disguise. Only Republicans with the conscience and backbone required to get impeachment procedings started. No mealy-mouthed, why-can’t-we-all-get-along, “reach across the aisle” to sing Kumbaya Rs. They’ve got to not give a damn that everyone doesn’t like them and some even hate them…like GWB. The libtards in and out of the lamestream media dragged his name through the mud for years, spread bold-faced lies about him, revised the history of his presidency while he was still president. Still, as he explained at least a few times, he had some tough decisions to make and sometimes what he chose wasn’t the popular decision but it was what he truly believed was the right thing to do for the safety and national security of the US. well, we need some Rs that can take the abuse they’ll surely receive from the libtards by impeaching Obamao.
jjjjjjjjjj commented:
I cant wait until the bloodbath starts, America will be better off with less liberals.
Lenore commented:
This is the most corrupt congress and administration in history. Can’t anything be legally done to stop them?
Opus #6 commented:
You know, last year, I thought that people who talked about impeachment, treason, constitutional crises, coups, and revolution were going too far. Overreacting. We hadn’t gotten to that point yet, or hopefully ever.
That has changed. Slaughter, Pelosi and anyone else who decide to ignore the constitution, which said that the votes must be counted and recorded yea or nay, need to be tried for treason. They are performing a coup of the American representative form of government. I had no idea that other bills were being “deemed as passed”. This practice should stop. We can see where legislative sloppiness gets us. Straight to the point of tyranny.
Lew commented:
Why is it only “tyrrany” when a Democrat attempts it? No outrage when Republicans invoked the Slaughter Rule…. a RECORD number of times! http://is.gd/aKQR7
kay commented:
Before we can say that we’re governed by tyrants and held under tyranny, we need the supreme court to weigh in and see if all 3 branches of the government have turned against the constitution for which the military should come in for a coup:
I want to sue. Yes, sue. I, the voter, am being disenfranchised because my representative is not having the chance/doesn’t want the chance to VOTE on legislation as described by the duties of the constitution. As such, I need to get ahold of a good constitutional lawyer and have them submit a temporary hold on the usage of Slaughter to pass a bill as I think this is unconstitutional.
Can Jim please look into this and get back to me?
Thanks,
Kay
aprilnovember811 commented:
I think Pelosi “deemed,” Obama eligible, when she knew he isn’t. She is so power hungry, and doesn’t take the Constitution seriously. Remember when she was questioned about the bill being Constitutional? Her response was, “are you kidding?” before moving on to another question. She is a traitor, and belongs in prison!
Andreas K. commented:
Joanne
March 16th, 2010 | 11:43 am | #48
Correct. Absolutely correct.
And since Obie and his buggers like to look at how Europe does things, they’ve now figured out that allowing a vote on something is a bad idea. Cause allowing a vote might lead to the own idea failing and true fascists don’t like the sound of that.
@Lew
Maybe because this time the “Slaughter Rule” will destroy trillions of Dollars and give the government even more leverage against the citizens? Ever looked at it from this angle? You’re comparing apples with cows.
Lew commented:
@AndreasK Not apples and cows at all! It’s a legitimate form of passing a bill (as evidenced by the use of the Slaughter Rule in record numbers under Republican administrations). Your flimsy argument is based on how much money is involved?
Lew commented:
It’s typical Republican hypocrisy. They’re against it, except when they’re for it: http://is.gd/aKWQc
Don Rodrigo commented:
I don’t think we should have these idiotic procedural rules at all, not even for less weighty issues and bills like the Republicans used them. I don’t want any legislators ever finding a sneaky way of getting laws through or of spending our money. I want Congress to take its original intent seriously, and vote openly on bills. I also want term limits, and I want Congress to take back the power it has ceded to both the Supreme Court and the White House. I also don’t want agencies like the EPA or NOAA or any agency thinking that they can pass the equivalent of laws, such as the EPA’s version of ‘Cap & Trade,’ or the multi-agency intention to restrict recreational fishing. If neither of these ‘sets of laws’ are not the direct result of Congressional action by floor vote, then they don’t get to happen, period.
Lew commented:
Don: To be fair, I don’t agree with the usage of this rule either. But I also don’t agree with calling it unconstitutional when it doesn’t jibe with a particular ideology. If it’s wrong now, it was wrong when the Republicans used it. I would rather the Democrats NOT use it now. It’s not good politics.
I do agree with you about intent, but intent is subject to interpretation. I don’t see any intent in the Constitution that supports term limits. That would have to be left up to the good will (?) of the congressmen themselves. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t argue with term limits, and I’d love to see campaign finance reform. The judicial nightmare that SCOTUS passed recently effectively did away with that, though.
Richard Romano commented:
LewNo Gravatar
March 16th, 2010 | 4:16 pm | #63
Don: To be fair, I don’t agree with the usage of this rule either. But I also don’t agree with calling it unconstitutional when it doesn’t jibe with a particular ideology. If it’s wrong now, it was wrong when the Republicans used it. I would rather the Democrats NOT use it now. It’s not good politics.
I don’t recall Republicans using the “Slaughter rule” to take over what amounts to about 1/6 of the economy.
Can you please refresh my memory on what policies the Republicans desired to pass without a vote.
Robert commented:
Lew,
The Republicans used the proces for BUDGET bills, the purpose for which it was intended. This current abuse is about more than “how much money is involved”.
This is not a budget bill. Nor does it have widespread support, it attacks a large share of the economy and redefines the very relationship between citizen and state, plus they have tagged the takeover of education, it has NO bipartisan support, they lie every day about it, they are charging ten years of taxes against six years of spending to make the numbers work so what about the following decade, you can’t depend on government to do what they say, and it just plain stinks.
Richard Romano commented:
I did some searching after Lew made some claims that I don’t believe are accurate. As a general rule, when people defer to generalizations, it’s more often than not a smoke-screen.
Lew’s right; the Republicans did use the “Slaughter” rule (called self-executing rule), but they used it for minor votes on bills that are routine. Pelosi and Co. went to court to stop the Republicans in 2005, but failed. Here’s Mark Tapscott’s take:
If the Pelosi/Slaughter/Waxman argument against using a self-executing rule against a debt limit increase measure sounds familiar, it should because it’s the same argument now being used by Republicans to oppose the Slaughter Solution for moving Obamacare through the House.
Of course, there is one major difference between 2005 and 2010. Debt limit increases are routine in Congress and have been for decades. But to place the American private health care system under government control — effectively socializing one-sixth of the U.S. economy — that has never been done before.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Pelosi-Slaughter-went-to-court-against-GOPs-self-executing-rule-in-2005—87773712.html#ixzz0iNxVvMxx
Lew commented:
This bill does not, in any fashion “take over” the health care system, which does make up 1/6th of the US economy. Medicare for all would do that. A single payer system would effectively do that. This bill simply does not. Stop listening to Rush and Glenn Beck.
Lew commented:
Nothing this Congress has attempted (with only a few minor exceptions) has had bipartisan support. How can it when Sen. Jim DeMint is on record saying that this issue “will be [Obama's] Waterloo” and hoping to “break him?” Jim Bunning’s little charade a few weeks back blocked unemployment insurance which WAS bipartisan. Yet he shut down the entire Senate for two days. I’ve never seen a more obstructionist group in my life.
Richard Romano commented:
This bill does not, in any fashion “take over” the health care system, which does make up 1/6th of the US economy. Medicare for all would do that. A single payer system would effectively do that. This bill simply does not. Stop listening to Rush and Glenn Beck.
So you want me to listen to Pelosi, who had the unmitigated gall to suggest the bill must be passed so that we know what’s in it? Or how about Obama? He claims that this bill will drive insurance premiums down by 3000 percent(!).
You’re crazy if you don’t think this particular bill will not eventually bring in a government takeover of the health care system. The same people who said that the government would never take over anything, sat idly by while they bailed out GM, and then stipulated which cars could be made and which ones should be shelved.
Lew, you’re far too trusting of people who want to have control over how you decide your health care issues.
I don’t listen to Beck or Rush — so stop tossing that stupid canard around. I think for myself, as do most Americans who reject Obamacare.
Robert commented:
You stop listening to Obama.
The dreaded “insurance companies” only account for 5% of profits in health care, so why did they get all the vilification? They were the scapegoats for a lousy piece of so-called legislation that Democrats don’t even want to vote for.
Don Rodrigo commented:
I do agree with you about intent, but intent is subject to interpretation. I don’t see any intent in the Constitution that supports term limits.
Didn’t say there was any such language. My post should have been divided into paragraphs so stuff doesn’t look like it’s running together.
AuntieMadder commented:
Lew! I saw your photo and story on CNN today! I can’t imagine how overwhelmed your family must be tonight. After 14 months in a coma, no one thought you’d awaken. Wow! Idiot.
Lew
March 16th, 2010 | 4:46 pm | #68
This bill does not, in any fashion “take over” the health care system, which does make up 1/6th of the US economy. Medicare for all would do that. A single payer system would effectively do that. This bill simply does not. Stop listening to Rush and Glenn Beck.
Lew
March 16th, 2010 | 4:52 pm | #69
Nothing this Congress has attempted (with only a few minor exceptions) has had bipartisan support. How can it when Sen. Jim DeMint is on record saying that this issue “will be [Obama's] Waterloo” and hoping to “break him?” Jim Bunning’s little charade a few weeks back blocked unemployment insurance which WAS bipartisan. Yet he shut down the entire Senate for two days. I’ve never seen a more obstructionist group in my life.
AuntieMadder commented:
kay
March 16th, 2010 | 12:58 pm | #57
Before we can say that we’re governed by tyrants and held under tyranny, we need the supreme court to weigh in and see if all 3 branches of the government have turned against the constitution for which the military should come in for a coup…
kay, I agree with you and in the USA as she was just a few years ago, that would be the way to gitter done. As things are now, though, I’m sure the SCOTUS would get right on it…right after they’re finished asking Obamao for a look at all of his concealed personal documents.
Lew commented:
>>>Lew! I saw your photo and story on CNN today! I can’t imagine how overwhelmed your family must be tonight. After 14 months in a coma, no one thought you’d awaken. Wow! Idiot.
Huh?
YJLAW commented:
I am curious as to whether those individuals who took an oath to defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic, are starting to look a little harder at the domestic aspect of that oath.
I wonder what would be the result if there was a coup and secession, by states proclaiming to be the “real” United States, and aiming to preserve and defend the Constitution from usurpers.