The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution

Part VII
Crazy Congresswoman Michele Bachman argues any kind of public option or government health care service would be unconstitutional.
by Charlie Leck

In yesterday’s blog I wrote about “a deer in headlights.” On the same subject, there is Michele Bachman.

Can anyone figure out how to turn off her microphone?

The Congresswoman from the 6th Congressional District of Minnesota is at it again. Lately she’s been arguing that the Supreme Court would throw out any legislation the Congress passes that attempts to nationalize our health care institution – or even federalize any portion of it (like a public option).

The Tenth Amendment:“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Well, take a chaw on that one! Then think about the preamble to the Constitution and what it says:

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The old girl is going to have a hard time arguing this one in any kind of debate. All she’s doing is providing her challengers in the 2010 election with the ammunition they need to make her look like a ding-dong – if that hasn’t already be conclusively illustrated and established.

If you want to read about Bachman’s argument in extensive form, go to this excellent article in MinnPost by Eric Black, one of my favorite news writers.

"Is there no longer freedom of speech in this chamber, Mr. President?....Mr. President...MR. PRESIDENT?....You can turn my microphone off now."
- Michele Bachmann-May 16, 2004, Last day of 2004 Session