Missouri, Kansas lawmakers send message to D.C.: We're buffoons
Yael T. AbouhalkahPumped up on conservative steroids, many Republican legislators in Kansas and Missouri want to send a message to Washington, D.C.
It goes something like this: You can’t tell us what to do.
It’s silly and embarrassing talk, the kind that elected officials on both sides of the aisle too often get involved in.
This time, it’s the GOP, mostly because the two states’ lawmakers can’t stand the fact that President Barack Obama and Congress have passed a health care bill that will affect the states and because Washington might change existing gun laws.
Those two hot-button issues have led lawmakers to introduce bills in both states, essentially aimed at trying to nullify federal laws dealing with health care and guns.
Unfortunately for the state lawmakers, a host of legal scholars point out that these bills would be unconstitutional, a huge waste of time to fight in the courts.
The issue of whether the federal government has the power to do what it’s doing was settled in the Civil War. Remember that event?
And that point was re-emphasized during the segregation of the 1950s and 1960s, when states tried to prevent black people from having the rights to vote or go to integrated schools. The feds had to step in there, too.
A lot of the current talk about nullification is empty rhetoric, thrown out by legislators trying to make themselves look big in front of their constituents.
But in reality, the lawmakers lack the courage to take a real stand on nullification.
Here’s how they could do that:
Tell the federal government that Kansas and Missouri are going to turn down the federal money sent their way for roads, education and other governmental programs.
Tell the federal government that, yeah, Kansas and Missouri don’t like what Washington is doing, so we’re going to have to stop following some of the laws you set and, in the meantime, we won’t be a financial burden to you.
Rright, that’s going to happen.
Kansas and Missouri are part of the United States of America - with the emphasis on “United.”
All this empty rhetoric about nullification just makes GOP legislators in Missouri and Kansas look like a bunch of idiots, not the best selling point for the states to the rest of the nation.
Mark Robertson
3 months, 1 week agoEmphasis should actually be on the word, “states.” The states and governors have powers that the federal government and president don’t have. There is this minor inconvenience for federal government statists called the 10th Amendment. Other that the issue of slavery, what did the Civil War settle?
Obamacare should be nullified. It’s another oppressive Obamanation. Despite what the spineless Roberts said, Obamacare is unconstitutional. Citizens cannot be forced to buy a product by the federal government. All the states should turn down federal education money. It actually hurts education. Education should be left to the states and mostly local entities, especially the private sector. The federal highway system was started as a defense project, because it was unconstitutional for the federal government to impose such as system onto the sates. Unfortunately, 8 Republican governors have caved on expanding Medicaid. It can be hoped that the remaining 22 will stand strong against the madness, including the setting up of the tyrannical “health” exchanges. If states don’t set up the exchanges, it’s doubtful that the federal government can afford to do it. It’s not even a sure thing that the Supereme court has the final say. Thankfully our great Founders gave great power to the states. They knew that we would have some presidents who thought they were king. Actually, ther president was meant to have very little power compared to the states. Thank you. Mark Robertson Independence
Steve Carithers
3 months, 1 week agoIt appears that Mr. Abouhalkah has never seen a level of government overreach, new taxes, more government spending and more suppression and extortion of the taxpayers he could not do without. I applaud the states. Tell the federal government, no matter which party where to stick it!
Timothy McDowell
3 months, 1 week agoNaysayers. Might as well disallow our National Guard and regular military citizens from participating in defending our national security. Many fellow citizens from others states are paying for our protection. Its “We the People…in order to created a more perfect union…”; shipping the poor and elderly down the river doesn’t seem consistent with security ourselves and our posterity.
Christi Clare
3 months, 1 week agoYael, I did an online search of your past editorials and did not locate a similar editorial when the citizens of the states of Colorado and Washington voted to decriminalize the use of marijuana, despite federal law which makes it an illegal substance? If not, when can we expect an editorial about those buffoons?
Further, when can we expect an editorial about President Obama choosing which laws already on the books the Dept. of Justice should NOT enforce?
Johnathon Busby
3 months, 1 week agoSpot on editorial. The nation has chosen a course, and the cons in the midwest have chosen the opposite course merely for the sake of being obstinate. Were they fish, and the river suddenly reversed its course, the conservatives would similarly reverse their own, for the sake of swimming upstream.
Obamacare was not only voted in as law, but was also ratified as constitutional (by the Roberts court, no less).
I would have more support for the state’s rights arguments, except that they’re always used to try and justify clinging to some horrible backwards tradition the rest of society has moved past. Slavery, civil rights, soon to be gay rights, etc.
I grant the pot issue is going the other direction, but then, that’s why the feds don’t really want to crack down on the states’ decisions on that.
In the end, the states will cooperate. Or, we’ll have a repeat of the education that Sherman apparently didn’t lay in firmly enough the first time back in 1864.
Mark Robertson
3 months, 1 week agoActually, it is “merely for the sake” of saving the country. Obamacare is and will not only finish the job of destroying our health care system, it will smash freedoms and essentially end our country as founded. The GAO now estimates that Obamacare will add over 6 trillion to the debt over the next 75 years, which means it will add over double that. So much for Obamacare reducing costs. So many lies. Obamacare was made law by Democrats using a questionable procedure that didn’t require 60 Senate votes. Not a single Republican vote supported it. It should be relegated to the ash heap of history. The Republican Congress should not allow it to be funded. Thank you. Mark Robertson Independence
Johnathon Busby
3 months, 1 week agoIt was passed in accordance to the law, and found constitutional; next to that, your objection to the processes and methods used to pass it are unimportant. De-funding Obamacare is/would be just a refusal by the cons to admit they’ve lost the argument in every legitimate court (both legal and opinion).
I dis-agree with your conclusion that obamacare will end the country or freedoms (and apparently so did a court of educated and experienced judges). You cite the evidence of the GAO, then turn around and say the GAO is inaccurate in the very same sentence. The costs of healthcare are/were already being paid every time the uninsured walk through the ER door and receive treatment without paying.
Now, here’s a point I grant you; I grant that I haven’t a clue whether Obamacare will be more or less efficient than the current system of treating the uninsured in ERs. But the local efforts to oppose Obamacare after it’s been supported in multiple venues are markedly unproductive, and to my view, petulant.
Johnathon Busby
3 months, 1 week agoLet me correct myself; it’s not that public opinion is nationally supportive of Obamacare (which I claimed), but does seem to be moving that direction based on the five minutes of glancing headlines I just did. My mistake, sir.
George Hunsucker
Northland
3 months, 1 week agoIf you are ok being screwed Johnathon, then far be it from me to try and change your mind…
You need to look at the youth in Europe to see your future–
When I was young I wanted the opportuinity to grow, to be independent of government. Now, we have people wanting cradle to grave guarantees. This is a valid choice I guess, just don’t bitch when you have a life like the European youth…..
Steve Alleman
Kansas City
3 months, 1 week agoMark Robertson: “Obamacare […] will smash freedoms and essentially end our country as founded.”
This kind of hyperbole is the reason no one takes you seriously anymore. Every single thing you disagree with constitutes the death of the republic. Get over yourself. The Supreme Court decides whether legislation is constitutional, not you, and they have made their ruling.
George Hunsucker
Northland
3 months, 1 week agoditto steve…..
Johnathon Busby
3 months, 1 week agoThe idea that I’m being screwed is far from determinate George, but thanks for allowing me to make my own choices, I suppose.
The problem with Europe is austerity, yet austerity is exactly what the cons want to implement here.
My opportunities seem fine, thanks George. How are yours?
And Steve A pretty much nailed it.
Mark Robertson
3 months, 1 week agoBeing forced to purchase a product by threat of fine and/or jail, smashes freedoms. Being forced into a government exchange smashes freedoms. Being forced to give up our health insurace smashes freedoms. Obamacare is already wrecking businesses. John Mackey, head of Whole Foods and a former liberal, called Obamacare Fascism.(Yes, he did later back away from the word but didn’t change his opinion on how destructive Obama care is. I won’t back away from the word, it is Fascism) You can’t force businesses to conform on such a massive scale without hurting the economy. Obamacare, along with Obamanomics, are why our economy is still in a virtual recession.(Yes, I know the stock market is doing well. but that is because of stupidly expanding the money supply.) And Steve, thanks for telling me no one takes me serious anymore. If that were the case I would think you would want me to continue to post and make a fool of myself. But thanks for your “concern.” And Steve, you say that I say that everything I diagree with would end this country as we know it. Other than Obamcare and Obama, can you give another example? I’ll help you out. I believe that allowing for abortions for nearly any reason, as is the case in the U.S. also puts our country in grave peril. Thank you. Mark Robertson Independence
JR Beillenhouser
3 months, 1 week ago“The problem with Europe is austerity, yet austerity is exactly what the cons want to implement here.”
Wrong. The problem with Europe is spending more than they have and being forced into austerity. That happens when you run out of money.
Learn.
Johnathon Busby
3 months, 1 week agoI won’t argue the freedoms issue with you; the supreme court already ruled on that. Against you.
Larger business (the ones that are affected by Obamacare) could very well alter their models to provide care to their employees (and well should have long before Obamacare came long in most cases), but it’s more advantageous to them to stump and play martyr. Gains them support from sympathetic conservative suits in DC. If Obamacare is truly that onerous, let them get out of the way, so another company which can do it better will step in. Hopefully one that will do it with less whining about having to contribute to the common good.
The cause of the continuing slowdown is completely debatable; the piles of cash that companies are sitting on might have a little something to do with it, for example. Perhaps those companies with soaring stocks could turn around and do some re-investing… but no, and you blame Obama for their failure to re-invest.
Also, fine attempt to distract, both with the fascism comment, and also the abortion issue. Well done sir.
Johnathon Busby
3 months, 1 week agoSo, Junior, Europe is or is not out of money now?
And if the answer is yes, they’re spending less, true?
Which is known as austerity?
And spending less is what the cons want to do here, correct?
What, pray tell, could I possibly be learning from you?
George Hunsucker
Northland
3 months, 1 week agomy opportunities were awesome J….
My jobs took me all over the world and made me soooooooooooooooooooooooooo appreciate the freedoms in America and the chances people WERE given to succeed.
Now, we have zero loading regulations and threatening businesses and you blame corporations for not investing. I repeat, what businessperson in their right friggin mind would risk expanding a business with zero lurking to demonize them, tax them or regulate them out-of-business?????
Do you agree Europe is your future J????
George Hunsucker
Northland
3 months, 1 week agoJ, do you seriously think Europe does not have a spending problem with their entitlements and social safety net?
I thought you more intelligent then that..
Johnathon Busby
3 months, 1 week agoHow nice for you that you did all those things you claim to have done, George.
The businessperson who will expand here is the one that recognizes the potential value in the market. There is always potential value in the market, regardless of threats to the industry. If a given business can’t or won’t compete within the environment, then let them get out of the way. Someone else will.
I do not agree Europe is my future. Because I have no intention of traveling, and value spending time with my family, here in Mo.
Europe has a deficit problem, George, which is revenue less expenses. They’ve chosen to focus on reducing the expenses; thus, austerity. Exactly what the cons are proposing here, for exactly the same reasons, in both cases ignoring the half of the deficit equation that isn’t convenient to their message.
Nice to know you find me intelligent. Thank you.
Mark Hastert
3 months, 1 week ago“Despite what the spineless Roberts said, Obamacare is unconstitutional.”
Apparently some don’t REALLY really believe in the Constitution or the Supreme Court if it is not to their liking…And I need one of our smart conservatives to tell me. Is Obama a Fascist? Nazi? Commie? or Socialist? Fascist seems to be the name for today but GH and JR are comparing Obamacare to socialist countries and Hitler keeps being brought up periodically and ….it just seems weird to have folks who are living off our social safety net to complain about it.
JR Beillenhouser
3 months, 1 week agoYou could possibly learn how to determine what a problem is versus a result of a problem. You just said austerity is the problem. Then in the last post mumbo jumbo that just basically states that they don’t pay enough in taxes.
The problem is the spending. That is how you get the deficits. And when you continue to have too much deficit spending, you no longer can afford to make payments and then are forced into austerity.
That is your future. And you deserve it for being so nonchalant about how the government wastes your money.
Johnathon Busby
3 months, 1 week agoTell you what George; give me a GOP candidate with solid economic reform policies, and also believes in equality… for everyone… and you’ve got my vote.
Mark Hastert
3 months, 1 week agoA little primmer on the European experiment. They chose to slash spending in the face of the most severe recession in 80 years. The result has been that they are back into a double dip recession with 12% average unemployment across the Eurozone.Interest rates on their debt is high. We chose to stimulate growth by increasing government spending. The result was that our economy came out of recession and has been growing since the first few months of the Obama administration. Our deficit as a percent of GDP is falling and will continue to fall as the economy grows and millions more Americans work, support their families, and pay taxes. We can borrow at nearly 0%, not an indication of any doubts about us in the market eh? There has been no runaway inflation. Money from all over the globe is being invested here. If you believe in the wisdom of the market then listen to what it’s telling you, learn.
George Hunsucker
Northland
3 months, 1 week agoJ, by equality, I presume you mean gay marriage, correct?
Why aren’t full civil unions enough? Why can’t marriage mean a man and a woman?
I have come to the point of supporting civil unions, INCLUDING TAX STATUS. I cannot get to agreeing to toss the meaning of marriage, to me, away…..
Rubio/Ryan would be the perfect ticket…..
Steven Fetter
66223
3 months, 1 week agoOur economic path is unsustainable.
Our recovery from the 2008 recession is the slowest recovery since the Civil War
This despite the fact we have ran up unprecedented debt by any measurement.
Usually as wars end, another recession occurs. Also, aged bull markets signal a downturn.
I hope I am wrong, but today’s economy may be as good as it gets for a while.
Yes, we have some buffoons locally. The current tax dodgers and deadbeats representing Missouri in the US Congress must certainly be included as those that embarrass the locals.
Yes, Obama Care is the law of the land as is gun ownership, marriage of man and woman, and many other wedge issues. That will not stop those that disagree from trying to change these laws.
It is our right to disagree with those in power. At least for now.
George Hunsucker
Northland
3 months, 1 week agoEuropean youth J….
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/11/us-eu-parliament-crisis-idUSBRE92A08W20130311
Mark Robertson
3 months, 1 week agoThe 800 billion “stimulus” was a disaster. Taking money out of the private sector virtually always hurts the economy. The U.S. economy has had anemic to no growth since Obama arrived. As on most fronts, Obama has been an economic disaster. Many say on purpose so that he can easier implement his socialist utopian dream, which obviously would be and is a nightmare for most of the rest of us. Thank you. Mark Robertson Independence
Mark Robertson
3 months, 1 week agoJonathan, You missed my point on the GAO. The government has virtually always underestimated the cost of government “health care.” LBJ predicted Medicare would cost 9 billion by 1990. It cost just over a hundred billion that year and is now approaching 600 billion a year. It, along with Medicaid now cost around a trillion a year, and costs are continuing to spiral upward. You say that you have no idea what Obamacare would cost. Many of us though have said all along that it would cost many more trillions than Obama said it would. He was lying. Obamacare would bankrupt this country, no matter how much the “rich’ pay in taxes. Obamacare is and will devastate large and small businesses. Saying that they should just “alter their models” is very uninformed thinking. And the abolition of slavery is not at all comparable to so-called “gay rights” And John Mackey and I are very serious about calling Obamacare-Fasscism. And abortion is just another threat to the survival of our society, as is Obamacare. Thank you. Mark Robertson Independence