Comments on: It couldn’t be more clear…

By: Greg K.

2010-01-08T18:54:57Z

Clif said that we are a rebublic, not a democracy, the difference being that a democracy is a government where the people hold the ruling power which they usually give over to a group of elected representatives whereas a republic being a state or nation where voters elect officials to make the laws and run the government. These definitions are based on Websters dictionary. I’m not sure I understand the difference but I suspect it has something to do with one form having a ruling constitution. I think this is a classic example of what is going on in politics today and is a popular ploy used by public officials to sidetrack the issue at hand. The voters often get sidetracked on definitions, trivialities, or more minor issues to the point where they no longer feel a commonality of purpose and waste their energies instead of uniting to address the larger issues. I agree with Joy that we should be able to influence our elected officials by contacting them to voice our opinions but this just doesn’t seem to be working. Maybe its voter apathy, maybe the representative recieve so many divergent, detailed and conflicting views that they are unable to decide what to do first or just become synical and simply assauge us with little intent of action. Another possibility is that despite their best intentions they are basically helpless to make positive change because the long time politicians in D.C. that hold most of the key chairmanships of committees and other positions of power do not really give a hang about what is fair, right, wrong, or best for this country but only what gets them re-elected and/or puts dinero in their pockets. I feel that this is the biggest issue in this country that must be addressed before we can move forward in a good way. The states that these power brokers represent like the benefits they are able to attain for their consituants so they continue to re-re-re-elect them. These guys are smart and know how to manipulate us to make us feel they are doing what we want and fixing problems while doing neither. Remember tax simplification, if that was simplification I’m for tax complication. Politicalspeak, spinmeisters, we are being scammed. We are becoming a scamnation, and it will lead to our demise if not fixed. Abe Lincoln asked “If you call a tail a leg how many legs would a sheep have?” Then he answered “Four, you can call a tail what ever you want, its still a tail.” And government run health care is still socialism. I do agree that health care costs are out of hand. I thought this health care discussion was originally about cutting costs. Have they addressed tort reform? Only in a perfuntory manner. Their attourney buddies don’t want it. Pharmacutical costs?????. Big campaign contributors. Doctors salaries or more doctors for increased competition? No, the AMA doesn’t want that. Insurance company fraud and gouging? Once again to many donations at stake. Folks, they are bought and paid for and all we are going to get is a smile and a pat on the head until we make it very clear that we are in charge. Whatever you want to call our system what matters is that it is of, by and for the people. Not our representatives. Our vote is our revolution. Let’s vote out the incumbents in our primary election so we can have a choice in the general election. Lets demand term limits and elect representitives that will carry that mandate to Washington D.C.

By: Joy

2010-01-05T05:28:29Z

I have been sharing gems from the U.S. Constitution with as many people as possible. Once they understand even one principle (Article, section, etc.), they start to SEE what the current administration and the congress are doing. Some republicans seem to be trying to at least speak out about certain unconstitutional practices, BUT they do NOT seem to be speaking with TOTAL Authority and One, Unified Voice! There must be such a Unity among our Constitutionalist LEADERS and ALL THE GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS! WE NEED TO BE UNCOMPROMISING IN OUR CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES!!! Seems most leaders Do Not Completely KNOW the Constitution. Some people say Both Democrats and Republicans do not have respect for our rights. Definitely, the Democrats and the Executive Branch, Czars, and other Appointed Cabinet Members and Advisors, are going AGAINST OUR INHERENT RIGHTS More than Anyone else in Congress. However, STRONGER, MORE UNIFIED, AND FULLY KNOWLEGABLE VOICED LEADERSHIP MUST TAKE PLACE TO ENSURE REPEALING, RESCINDING, REVERSING, PROSECUTING AND IMPEACHING THOSE MOST GUILTY OF THESE OATH BREAKINGS TAKE PLACE!!! REINSTATING THE PROPER SOVEREIGNTY OF OUR NATION, OUR PERSONAL/INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS (LIBERTY, LIFE, AND THE PURSUIT OF PROPERTY) MUST TAKE PLACE!!! 9/12 PROJECT AUG. 28TH AT LINCOLN MEMORIAL–D.C. TO RESTORE HONOR!
SUPPORT VOICES THAT INSIST UPON CONSTITUTIONALITY AND SOVEREIGNTY! DO NOT SPLIT THE VOTES FOR ELECTIONS! MICHELE BACHMANN, CONGRESS MN–OUTSTANDING. MORE DEMANDING AND INSISTANT, UNIFIED VOICES AND ACTION, AS WELL AS GROUND FLOOR WORK–emails, phone calls, meetings, petitions, letters, messages, etc. are ESSENTIAL to HOLD THE ADMINISTRATION, including SENATORS and House Representatives to the CONSTITUTION AND THE OATHS THEY TOOK!

By: JP

2010-01-03T05:54:43Z

Revolution? Yes, but in what form. We don’t have to pattern ourselves after the founders of this country. We still have the freedom to use our heads and yes maybe arms to respond in a way that is most beneficial to our country. I am not referring to calling our representatives in Washing we already know they don’t care, but to using the same tactics the liberals have used for years on us. After all it takes the will to succeed and character to really live as free men. Remember we can always move forward to greater degrees of action or force, but it is very difficult to go in reverse. Together we have a voice in the tea party we need to gather locally and then nationally. Is DC in April a goal to show our presence in a peaceful gathering?

By: kyle

2009-12-31T19:01:41Z

folks, the word many of you are tiptoeing around is revolution. Its a scary word for many of us but one which we all know is imminent unless some changes happen fast. there is a breaking point that all of us have when enough is enough. this breaking point is different for everybody but sooner or later we will all be broken and we will do whatever it takes to take back our nation. If it comes to arms it comes to arms. We cannot stand idley by and watch the greatness of our country come tumbling down. Marching is good, letters are good but there needs to be more of them. this is a call to action. we will be a socialist country if we don’t stand up right now.

I just bought an anti obama/health care t shirt from http://www.relevanttees.com to help raise money for people to participate in demonstrations. the guys at sundance apparel are true patriots and are donating proceeds from their shirts to a tea party foundation so people can get their voices heard. go to the site and buy a shirt- lets work together on this and save our nation!

By: Clif

2009-12-30T04:13:22Z

We are a republic, not a democracy. The main difference is that even if we allow poor representation, they are bound to the law … the constitution. If this were a true democracy, what is happening on capitol hill would still be subject to the ongoing will of the people, but, could possibly be legal. Since we are not, what is happening is not legal.

By: Matt R

2009-12-29T18:38:54Z

I’m not finding the text you mentioned–either in the main amendment text or the “manager’s amendment”. I’m not calling you out, I just question everything (like I’m sure you do!). Can anyone cite a doc and page/line number?

By: Greg K.

2009-12-29T04:03:58Z

In a democracy the people get the government they deserve and unfortunately too many of us have allowed ourselves to be ignorant for too long. The America of our ancestors was founded on hard work and high moral principles such as those included in the constitution. Due to the freedom and individual rights so granted we were able to become the most creative and inspired populace in the history of the earth. We were indeed “other countries untold masses striving to be free”. With this great success came what our founders would have considered untold wealth, but humans being the imperfect creatures we are wanted more, more than we had, more than our neighbor, far more than we needed. Bigger houses, fancier vehicles, longer vacations and on and on and on. Not only did we want these things but came to believe we were entitled to them, in fact as Americans it was our right to have almost everything. All told, what has happened is the great opportunity that our founders gave us originally made us a great people but then we started to believe we were a special people and our greatness didn’t have to be earned but was an American birthright. Our elected leaders played no small part in patting us on the back in re-election efforts. This wealth and feeling of entitlement has brought an underlying change in the guiding attitudes of our country over the past 40 or so years culminating in a large portion of our population more focused on how to get something for nothing than on being a contributing member of society. Another large segment has good intentions but do not understand the importance of the opportunity to fail as a motivator and natural component of a free people and a free enterprise system. These people seem to want everything protected and continually turn to government (us) to provide them the illusion of security while in reality are only guarnteeing mediocrity or worse. Another segment which cannot be left out are the greedy which are out to win at all costs with thier end justifying the means. Those means may include large political contributions, deceptive advertisng(lies) and any other unsavory act which legal council determines worth the risk. We’ve never been so corrupt. Its a mess. The sad part of it is that a large portion of the population feels helpless or is too lazy or is benefitting too much to change it. We are well down a very destructive path with our elected leaders skipping merrily ahead as they line thier pockets. (most are attourneys who attended law school primarily to be rich, not exactly the type of people our founding fathers envisioned to lead us and not very “representative” of the average American) Kind of like our residential real estate system - dissipate risk - everybody wins - yeah right. They knew better, they’re corupt, not stupid. Our politacal system including the voters has come to resemble supporters of a football team that primarily care about winning instead of doing the best thing for thier country, our country, one people brought together by a common bond of opportunity and freedom without all the age old hatred that plagues so much of the world and divides countries along ethnic and religeous lines. To fix this we must again come together as a people and find our commonality, our fundamental Americanism before it ceases to exist. The political establishment as it is believes this won’t happen and will work to assure it doesn’t. We are at a crossroads in the history of this country and I frankly can’t believe we’ve gotten to this point. I believe we must put aside our disagreement on minor issues and band together not as Democrats or Republicans but as countrymen and demand term limits. Career politicians must go, but many states will be reluctant to give up thier power brokers. However if we get enough new people in office in a short period of time they will be able to carry the vote. They will be our true representatives with a mandate that cannot be denied. Only then will we begin to see real change. Lets take our country back!

By: Ayn

2009-12-29T02:23:19Z

I’m afraid, truly I’m afraid of the horror that I’m seeing here. These people are more concerned with passing laws that will hurt America then to try and do the right things and do the will of the people and protect the people.

I pray, I PRAY to God in heaven, that it doesn’t have to be like this. All I want from Christmas this year is this bill to die and just go away.

Now, I’m afraid of how the government is handling these airplane guys.

By: Donald O. Taylor

2009-12-28T19:32:51Z

If anyone outside America’s boundaries attempted to alter the freedom we have under our constitution, we would take up arms and go to war.
I just cannot understand how the people have allowed Obama to get this far.

We have an Adolf Hitler in our nation’s highest seat and he needs to be removed BEFORE he inflicts Socialism on the United States of AMERICA.

Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it.

By: Rod

2009-12-28T18:29:09Z

I believe it is time we take back our Government. Mr. Reed has to go along with Nancy Pelosi. We, as the American People have the say of what is right and wrong. It does not say,” We the Government, It say’s We the People”. We cannot wait any longer in our efforts. We have to do something now!

By: Dan Knauf

2009-12-28T13:29:49Z

We are supposed to have a system of checks and balances. Why not let the courts decide if the language is constitutional? I still have faith in our FORM of government even though I lack confidence in the crooks IN government. Some representative needs to rise to this challenge.

By: mark Wolfe

2009-12-28T11:45:41Z

We the people need to demand a Constitutional convention. Call your state Rep. and Congressman and demand one. Their are 300 million of us and only a few hundred of them. We need to organize and run Congress out of Washington on a rail.
All 50 States have asked for a Constitutional Convention Congress has violated the Constitution by not calling one. Have we lost the will to Fight!!! I haven’t. This is my Country and I want it back and am willing to fight to the death!!! Wake up America!!! My 5th GR.Grandfather Jacob Wolfe of Fredricksburg Va. Refused to be counted and refused to pay taxes to the Crown. He faced death for making a stand. I will too if necessary. Don’t Tread on me.
Sincerely, Mark Wolfe from Kentucky

By: linda ruff

2009-12-27T19:46:14Z

when we elect totally new representatives, the 1st law they should pass is one making it legal to REPEAL ANY previously bills passed that were unconstitutional, even if they contain “you can’t touch me” clauses. that should take care of this sh…crap.

By: G.Tate

2009-12-27T13:21:14Z

I believe it is simply time to rise up as a Nation in the upcoming mid-term voting opportunity and wether the representatives in our “government” are good or bad, they should all be voted out…send in the new clowns, and if they are not what we want, do it again and again, until WE THE PEOPLE have our country back! God Bless America and Pledge Allegiance to the Flag!

By: David

2009-12-26T21:10:12Z

It is abundantly clear that three major actions must take place to have a serious effect on current events in Washington. First many more must join actively the Tea Party Movement. The numbers of members will have a direct impact on wielding power and leverage. Second there will need to be a charismatic leader to be the spokesman and potentially seek a nomination to a yet unnanmed third party. Finally, if all else fails everyone in the movement should consider halting payments on their taxes. Fees and taxes are what sustain the exorbitant lifestyles of the politicos in Washington. This must be done enmasse to have any real impact.