Sadly, the Democrat proposed health program is suggesting that if you trust in your own health and save your money for another purpose, you will be fined. Fail to pay that fine and you will serve time in jail.
Constitutional scholars actually believe the mandate will hold up in court.
The obvious question is where does this end? What can't the government require us to buy? Maybe you are required to buy $500/year in citrus fruits to stay healthy - don't have the receipts to prove your purchases, then you are fined. Fail to pay the fine and you are jailed. Of course, the dairy lobby will get heavily involved in this as well, arguing the health benefits of milk and cheese. Lactose intolerant individuals and vegans will end up subsidizing the dairy industry.
What happens to charity under this legislation? Seriously, would you give money to Shriners hospital, who helps those who can't afford medical care? Why would you, everyone is covered and the charitable organizations die. The government gets more powerful as competition for health services diminish and the essence of American compassion shrinks.
Our very soul as a nation is being eroded. Our willingness to trade our freedoms for safety - safety from terrorists (Patriot Act), safety from an unknown future disease (Health Care) - both of which ignore the 5th amendment. But where are our courts to protect us from majority rule? What can't our gov't do anymore? And why are those who stand up for our freedoms vilified by the very people who are taking away our freedom?
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Football, Education & Money
For some reason I'm always amazed by the idiocy of our politicians. This time, Texas Congressman Joe Barton (Republican) has put up a bill that, if passed, would require the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) to create a playoff system if they want to crown a national college football champion.
Yes, it is true that most people do want a college playoff system. It is true that the current BCS system sometimes creates rancorous debates among fans of college's left over undefeated teams. But what is alsow true, is that this is the EXACT type of legislation banned by our Constitution.
First, there is nothing in our Constitution that allows the Federal Gov't to regulate the crowning of a college (or even professional) sport.
Second, the Constitution is specifically designed to protect the rights of minority's, regardless how popular a college playoff system would become (if the BCS wants to forgo a lucrative playoff system, we don't have the right to tell them what to do).
What about the unintended consequences of such legislation. Are four teams enough for a playoff system? According to NCAA basketball, they think 64 teams are the magic number. When do these playoff start and end? Don't colleges have the right to say we don't want another four weeks added to the football season? After all, most of these players are only getting half an education as is, why shorten it further.
Sadly, such schools such as Stanford, may choose to drop out of Division I-A football if it requires the students to miss more weeks of school, to prepare for football games with no career prospects in their futures.
Last - even if you ignore the Constitution (which most Americans, politicians and courts already do), aren't we asking these students to make millions of dollars for advertisers, bowl promoters, Las Vegas, the broadcast networks and their schools, for the sum of ZERO pay! Classic government, one regulation to promote a playoff system, will probably run counter to another regulation limiting forced child labor.
Yes, it is true that most people do want a college playoff system. It is true that the current BCS system sometimes creates rancorous debates among fans of college's left over undefeated teams. But what is alsow true, is that this is the EXACT type of legislation banned by our Constitution.
First, there is nothing in our Constitution that allows the Federal Gov't to regulate the crowning of a college (or even professional) sport.
Second, the Constitution is specifically designed to protect the rights of minority's, regardless how popular a college playoff system would become (if the BCS wants to forgo a lucrative playoff system, we don't have the right to tell them what to do).
What about the unintended consequences of such legislation. Are four teams enough for a playoff system? According to NCAA basketball, they think 64 teams are the magic number. When do these playoff start and end? Don't colleges have the right to say we don't want another four weeks added to the football season? After all, most of these players are only getting half an education as is, why shorten it further.
Sadly, such schools such as Stanford, may choose to drop out of Division I-A football if it requires the students to miss more weeks of school, to prepare for football games with no career prospects in their futures.
Last - even if you ignore the Constitution (which most Americans, politicians and courts already do), aren't we asking these students to make millions of dollars for advertisers, bowl promoters, Las Vegas, the broadcast networks and their schools, for the sum of ZERO pay! Classic government, one regulation to promote a playoff system, will probably run counter to another regulation limiting forced child labor.
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