Quote of the day

"I look at this health care plan and I see nothing that is about health or about care. What I see is a bureaucratic nightmare, senator. Medicaid is broke, Medicare is broke, Social Security is broke and you want us to believe that a government that can't even run a cash for clunkers program is going to run one-seventh of our U.S. economy? No sir, no,"

A woman responding to Senator Arlen Spector and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebellius at a Pennsylvania Town Hall meeting.

Please Remember

In honor of those who fought and died to give us our Constitution and Republic...

In honor of those who have fought and died to defend and preserve it...

In honor of those who have served at the ready in the peacetime throughout our history...

In honor of those who serve now...

I thank you for your sacrifices to maintain my freedom to speak and write my thoughts publicly.

I thank you for your sacrifices to maintain my freedom to worship the God who allowed this great nation to rise.

I thank you for your sacrifices to maintain my freedom to disagree with my government and work to elect leaders of good morals and character.

I thank you for your sacrifices to maintain my freedom to keep and bear arms to defend myself my loved ones and nation from tyranny.

I thank you for enduring throughout the generations so that I could be born in the greatest Republic the natural world has ever known.

May enough people continue to remember so that your sacrifices will not be in vain and the liberties you labored to secure will not be stolen or given away.

The National Institutes of Health Drinking Binge Continues...

Looks like the heavy drinking continues at the NIH. According to Fox News, the NIH is spending 2.6 million of our dollars to study why prostitutes in China engage in risky sexual behavior while drunk. The apparently inebriated folks at the NIH want to encourage the prostitutes to drink less and use condoms more. I guess it never occurred to the folks at the NIH that these women would be better off leaving prostitution but, as noted before, the judgement of the drunken is impaired. Instead of genuine compassion that would seek to free these women from their degraded state, the NIH would like them to be sober throughout their degradation and use condoms to minimize the spread of HIV among those who participate in their degradation. Here are a some thoughts and questions that the folks at the NIH should consider if they ever sober up.

1. Prostitution is inherently "risky behavior." All the sobriety and condoms in the world cannot take the risk away.
2. These women live under a totalitarian communist regime that could care less about their welfare. This is evident because the false compassion that makes them guinea pigs for the NIH is funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars. The Chinese government doesn't consider them worth spending money on, even for research.
3. Many (if not all) of these women are forced and/or sold into prostitution. They probably drink heavily as an escape from their bondage. Many of them are probably drug addicts by force or by choice. Does it really make sense to focus on alcohol consumption as if being intoxicated on other drugs somehow impairs a person's judgement less?
4. Why spend U.S. tax dollars to study drunken prostitutes in China? Don't we have enough prostitutes that drink in the U.S. to study? Could it be because that prostitutes in the U.S. have rights that the prostitutes in China don't have? After all, a captive guinea pig is easier to study in secret than one roaming loose, right?
5. Will these prostitutes even care about the efforts of the NIH to get them to drink less and use condoms when they will be left behind to live in their degraded state after the 2.6 million is spent?
6. How many of the NIH researchers will become paying customers with U.S. taxpayer money? It is evident that they don't object to prostitution. They apparently only care whether or not the slaves can soberly take the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of HIV transmission.

To conclude, in the last week we have learned that the NIH is spending $2,600,000 to study promiscuous heterosexual drunks in China and $400,000 to study promiscuous homosexual drunks in Argentina. That leaves me with a final question. I wonder how long before the homosexual activists sue for discrimination?

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. (Proverbs 12:10)

Hey, here's $400,000. Let's spend it!

According to FoxNews, the National Institutes of Health are paying $400,000 in taxpayer money for researchers to cruise bars in Buenos Aires to find out why homosexual men engage in risky sexual behavior while drunk. Aside from their already risky and immoral lifestyle, the answer is obvious. Drunk people do stupid and risky things because their judgement is impaired. Most people understand this by obeservation or personal experience. Have the folks at the NIH been drinking? It's hard to imagine sober people that have to spend $400,000 to discover the obvious. It makes one think that their real purpose is to get drunk and engage in risky behavior on the taxpayers dime.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Romans 1:21-27)

Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. (Proverbs 23:29-35)

It's My Party So I'll Lie if I Want To...

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Spector is switching parties to run as a Democrat in the 2010 election. He had previously said in a March 17th interview:

"I am staying a Republican because I think I have an important role, a more important role, to play there. The United States very desperately needs a two-party system. That’s the basis of politics in America. I’m afraid we are becoming a one-party system, with Republicans becoming just a regional party with so little representation of the northeast or in the middle atlantic. I think as a governmental matter, it is very important to have a check and balance. That’s a very important principle in the operation of our government. In the constitution on Separation of powers."

Actually, the separation of powers defined in the Constitution doesn't refer to political parties but the Senator really didn't care about that anyway, did he? When it became evident that he would likely lose his Senate seat in the next primary elections he announced yesterday that:

"I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania."

So he doesn't want to answer to the Republican electorate that supported him for 29 years and now desires "change". He wants to answer to the people of Pennsylvania. So what's his solution?

"I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary. I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election."

So you represent the "people" of Pennsylvania and not just the Republicans? But now you say you want your 29 year Senate record judged by the Democrat primary electorate. Excuse me Senator, but if you really wanted to let the "people" of Pennsylvania judge your 29 year Senate record you would run as an independent in the general election and skip the primaries. The problem is that you probably have less possibility of winning as an independent candidate than you do as a Republican.

What is clear to anyone is Senator Specter's real purpose is to retain his position of power. The Democrats have promised him a primary win and a place on the ballot in the 2010 general election in exchange for his switch. The Democrat Party welcomes the switch and will be happy to bankroll his reelection bid because it bolsters it's own power. The people of Pensylvania suffer from a Senator who has shown clearly that it's not for them but for his own self-interest that he wishes to "serve." Senator Spector has shown that he will represent those he thinks can keep him in power rather than "the people."

To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. (Proverbs 28:21)

Funny...I don't feel stimulated. Part Three

A significant amount of time has passed since I began this series and nothing that the current presidential administration and congress have done has changed the thrust of this column. The budget that was recently passed and signed into law has almost tripled the combined amounts of both so-called bailout and stimulus bills passed in the last 6 months. I’ve already dealt with the issue of unconstitutional spending. Now I want to talk about immoral spending.

When I talk about immoral spending it is clear from the title of this blog that I get my morality from the Bible. For the sake of those who don’t believe the Bible I’ll depart from biblical standards of morality for the moment and just use some common moral standards of the society. I’ll do so by asking some simple questions and leave it up to you, the reader, to answer yes or no.

1. If I borrowed money under pretence of using the money to help someone and then spent it for another unrelated and selfish purpose would that be immoral?
2. If I borrowed money beyond my means to repay it would that be immoral?
3. If I took money from those that had legitimately and responsibly earned it and used it to bail out those who had been criminal and/or irresponsible in their actions would that be immoral?

This is exactly what our government has done. The money for the “bailouts” was given to companies and individuals who committed criminal fraud and/or were irresponsible in handling their own and others’ finances. No one (Congress included) has been held accountable. Large portions of the “stimulus package” money have gone to programs and earmarks that will stimulate nothing in our economy and will generate no economic growth. Look through the long list of spending I posted in the previous installment of this series and list the ones that will create new jobs or new businesses. It won’t take long because your list will be short. Most of the money is to fund government programs and increase government control. Additionally, the President’s recent public addresses have expressed the need to get the banks lending money again. Uh, maybe it’s just me but isn’t that what got us in this crisis to begin with? Bad loans and over extended credit were the cause of the housing market crisis (remember Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?). Our credit based economy has turned into a monster that cries to be fed and cannot be sustained. Meanwhile, our own government has put us into debt to our enemies (communist China for example) to finance its spending spree. They try to spend our way to prosperity, which, by the way, is not only immoral but just plain stupid. The bottom line is that our government is continuing its irresponsibility and by any standard its behavior with the American people’s tax dollars is immoral.

America is in a precarious financial position that doesn’t look to get better as long as we allow the government to spend beyond our means. Our fate is clearly prophesied in the Bible if we continue to squander our nation’s wealth and resources. It comes in the form of a simple and profound proverb.

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7)

Funny...I don't feel stimulated. Part Two

I ended my first post in this series by asking two questions; " What is unconstitutional spending?" and " What is immoral spending?" To answer the first question the obvious place to look is the Constitution.

Article 1 Section. 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; — And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Article 1, Section. 9.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

The list below represents the spending authorized by the first 26 pages of the 407 page version of the stimulus bill released to the public. The question is how much of this spending matches the parameters specified by the sections of the Constitution above? Anything that doesn't is unconstitutional. Will you take the time and effort to make the comparison and identify the unconstitutional provisions? If not don't feel too terribly bad. According several news reports, your Representatives and Senators didn't bother to check before they voted either.

For an additional amount for ‘‘Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments’’, $24,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’, $22,500,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Buildings and Facilities’’, $176,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Farm Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses,’’ $50,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations’’, $290,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Watershed Rehabilitation Program’’, $50,000,000
For an additional amount for gross obligations for the principal amount of direct and guaranteed loans as authorized by title V of the Housing Act of 1949, to be available from funds in the rural housing insurance fund, as follows: $1,000,000,000 for section 502 direct loans; and $10,472,000,000 for section 502 unsubsidized guaranteed loans.
For an additional amount for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the cost of modifying loans, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: $67,000,000 for section 502 direct loans; and $133,000,000 for section 502 unsubsidized guaranteed loans.
For an additional amount for the cost of direct loans and grants for rural community facilities programs as authorized by section 306 and described in section 381E(d)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, $130,000,000.
For an additional amount for the cost of guaranteed loans and grants as authorized by sections 310B(a)(2)(A) and 310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932), $150,000,000.
For an additional amount for the cost of direct loans and grants for the rural water, waste water, and waste disposal programs authorized by sections 306 and 310B and described in section 381E(d)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, $1,380,000,000.
For an additional amount for the cost of broadband loans and loan guarantees, as authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) and for grants (including for technical assistance), $2,500,000,000:
For an additional amount for the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et. seq.), except section 21, and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et. seq.), except sections 17 and 21, $100,000,000
For an additional amount for the special supplemental nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), $500,000,000
For an additional amount for the emergency food assistance program as authorized by section 27(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036(a)) and section 204(a)(1) of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7508(a)(1)), $150,000,000
For the costs of State administrative expenses associated with carrying out this section and administering the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the Secretary shall make available $145,000,000 in fiscal year 2009 and $150,000,000 in fiscal year 2010
For the costs relating to facility improvements and equipment upgrades associated with the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, as established under section 4(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)), the Secretary shall makeavailable 5,000,000:
For the principal amount of direct farm operating loans under section 311 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941), $173,367,000.
For the cost of direct farm operating loans, including the cost of modifying loans, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 661a), $20,440,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Economic Development Assistance Programs’’, $150,000,000:
For an additional amount for ‘‘Periodic Censuses and Programs’’, $1,000,000,000.
For an amount for ‘‘Broadband Technology Opportunities Program’’, $4,700,000,000:
For an amount for ‘‘Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Program’’, $650,000,000, for additional coupons and related activities under the program implemented under section 3005 of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005
For an additional amount for ‘‘Scientific and Technical Research and Services’’, $220,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Construction of Research Facilities’’, $360,000,000, of which 180,000,000 shall be for a competitive construction grant program for research science buildings.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operations, Research, and Facilities’’, $230,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Procurement, Acquisition and Construction’’, $600,000,000. For an additional amount for ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’, $6,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’, $2,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs’’, $225,000,000 for grants to combat violence against women, as authorized by part T of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968
For an additional amount for ‘‘State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance’’, 2,000,000,000, for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program as authorized by subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Acts of 1968 (‘‘1968 Act’’)
For an additional amount for ‘‘State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance’’, $225,000,000, for competitive grants to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to assist victims of crime (other than compensation), and youth mentoring grants.
For an additional amount for ‘‘State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance’’, $40,000,000, for competitive grants to provide assistance and equipment to local law enforcement along the Southern border and in High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas.
For an additional amount for ‘‘State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance’’, 225,000,000, for assistance to Indian tribes
For an additional amount for ‘‘State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance’’, $100,000,000, to be distributed by the Office for Victims of Crime in accordance with section 1402(d)(4) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–473).
For an additional amount for ‘‘State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance’’, $125,000,000, or assistance to law enforcement in rural States and rural areas, to prevent and combat rime, especially drug-related crime.
For an additional amount for ‘‘State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance’’, $50,000,000, for Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) initiatives.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Community Oriented Policing Services’’, for grants under section 1701 of title I of the 1968 Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act (42 U.S.C. 3796dd) for hiring and rehiring of additional career law enforcement officers under part Q of such title, notwithstanding subsection (i) of such section, $1,000,000,000.
For an additional amount, not elsewhere specified in this title, for management and administration and oversight of programs within the Office on Violence Against Women, the Office of Justice Programs, and the Community Oriented Policing Services Office, $10,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Science’’, $400,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Aeronautics’’, $150,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Exploration’’, $400,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Cross Agency Support’’, $50,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’, $2,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Research and Related Activities’’, $2,500,000,000:
For an additional amount for ‘‘Education and Human Resources’’, $100,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction’’, $400,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’, $2,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation and Maintenance, Army’’, $1,474,525,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation and Maintenance, Navy’’, $657,051,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps’’, $113,865,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation and Maintenance, Air Force’’, $1,095,959,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation and Maintenance, Army Reserve’’, $98,269,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation and Maintenance, Navy Reserve’’, $55,083,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps Reserve’’, $39,909,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation and Maintenance, Air Force Reserve’’, $13,187,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard’’, 266,304,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation and Maintenance, Air National Guard’’, $25,848,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army’’, 75,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy’’, $75,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force’’, $75,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide’’, 75,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Defense Health Program’’, $400,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Office of the Inspector General’’, $15,000,000 for operation and maintenance, to remain available for obligation until September 30, 2011.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Investigations’’, $25,000,000:
For an additional amount for ‘‘Construction’’, $2,000,000,000:
For an additional amount for ‘‘Mississippi River and Tributaries’’, $375,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Operation and Maintenance’’, $2,075,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Regulatory Program’’, $25,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Water and Related Resources’’, $1,000,000,000:
For an additional amount for ‘‘Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’’, $16,800,000,000:
For an additional amount for ‘‘Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability,’’ $4,500,000,000:
For an additional amount for ‘‘Fossil Energy Research and Development’’, $3,400,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup’’, $483,000,000.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund’’, $390,000,000
For an additional amount for ‘‘Science’’, $1,600,000,000.
For the Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy, $400,000,000
For an additional amount for the cost of guaranteed loans authorized by section 1705 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, $6,000,000,000
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Inspector General in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, $15,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.
For an additional amount for ‘‘Defense Environmental Cleanup,’’ $5,127,000,000.
For carrying out the functions authorized by title III, section 302(a)(1)(E) of the Act of August 4, 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7152), and other related activities including conservation and renewable resources programs as authorized, $10,000,000

Fiscal Responsibility?

While I continue working on my next post on the so called economic stimulus bill, I see that news outlets are talking about the President's "Fiscal Responsibility Summit." It seems he is getting all the kings horses and men together to deal with deficit spending. With all due respect Mr. President, you started $787,000,000,000 too late. You responded to our current financial crisis by adding to our future financial crisis. And this is better than the previous administration how?

Funny...I don't feel stimulated. Part One

President Obama has now signed the $787,000,000,000 economic stimulus bill passed by Congress last week. They are promising us prosperity by spending us into the poor house as a nation. What they actually hope is that the economy will eventually rebound on it's own so they can take credit for it. They are addicted to spending because promising money out of the federal coffers it is how they maintain their power base of beneficiaries who will vote for them. Some might think that a cynical view but what else could be the motivation behind such folly?

Since October of last year our Congress has passed and our Presidents have signed two stimulus/bailout bills totalling around $1, 500,000,000,000 (that's 1.5 trillion if the zeros confuse you.) That's additional money our government hadn't already budgeted for and money our government doesn't have since it was already overspending. The market was so confident and stimulated by the news that it promptly nose-dived with the Dow dropping about 300 points. Seems I remember the same reaction to the previous bailout bill.

In the final analysis we have only stimulated our level of debt as a nation. As the government reaches deeper into our pockets and the pockets of our children and grandchildren they are only postponing the crash that is coming if we don't reign in our unconstitutional and immoral level of spending. What is unconstitutional spending? What is immoral spending? Stay tuned.

A Presidential or a Congressional Census?

Last week it was reported on several news outlets that Republicans are upset with President Obama's reported desire to move the Census Bureau under the direct control of the Whitehouse. The Census currently resides in the Department of Commerce. Several Republicans are threatening a legal challenge if the President proceeds with this change.

Do the Republicans have a legitimate complaint? I think they do. Concerning the Census, Article One of the Constitution states :

"The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. "

Title 13 of the U.S. Code provides the charter for the Census Bureau and states that:

"The Bureau is continued as an agency within, and under the jurisdiction of, the Department of Commerce."

The Constitution grants control of the Census to the Congress as it directs by law and Title 13 of the US Code is that law. The executive branch's control on the Census is limited to Presidential appointments to the Commerce Dept. that are confirmed by the Senate. President Obama cannot legally move the Census Bureau under the direct control of the Whitehouse without Congress passing a law to amend the US Code to that effect. If Congress can muster a veto proof majority, they can also remove any level of presidential influence over the Census.

President Obama was once a professor who taught constitutional law. How is it that he is seemingly ignorant of the fact that the Constitution grants control of the Census to Congress? My guess is that he isn't ignorant at all but rather has plans for change that are best served by attempting to wrest control of the Census away from Congress. The fact that it's unconstitutional isn't high on his list of concerns. Maintaining a constitutional separation of powers and the system of checks and balances should be high on the American peoples' list of concerns.

President Obama also claims to be a Christian. It seems he is as ignorant of or unconcerned about the Bible as he is the Constitution. 1 Peter 2:13 instructs the Christian to:

"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake..."

Both as an American and a Christian the President should respect the rule of law in regard to the Census and should work within constitutional limits if he wishes to change the law. Sadly, like many of today's politicians, President Obama appears to fail on both counts.

If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.— George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

Good morning. This is my first blog posting. It will be short and to the point. This blog is nothing more than my views on the Bible and the constitution and how they relate to current and past events. I may digress to future events on occasion but will generally subscribe to the truth that, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."