Comments on: Garamendi schedules first town hall

By: J

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:51:41 +0000

AD, the Constitution is not a perfect document. Moreover, it is a product of the 1780s; and what few symbolic alterations we have since made to the Constitution are but a drop in the bucket compared to the 220+ years of case law that has a more specified impact on the function of our government in the present day.

Secondly, if you’ve read the Constitution and you still have trouble seeing how others have interpreted it (and the case law) to allow for legislating over an area involving so much commerce (we’re talking ~18% GDP) then I don’t know what to tell you. There are arguments to be made about ‘common defense’ (use your imagination) ‘general welfare’, ‘domestic tranquility’ (in a society where 1% populace controls 40% wealth and the poorest 40% of populace control <1% of wealth, it’s easy to read Entitlements as a bribe by the wealthy to placate a group that history shows us to be prone to carrying out ‘messy’ revolts), but first and foremost the health bill is about commerce and insurance industry.

Last, if you want to rail on Congress, try something that isn’t found in a Party talking point memo. My suggestion is that you research Public Law 62-5. Since we’ll be conducting a Census soon this subject is especially relevant.

By: Walter, Livermore

Walter, Livermore — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:48 +0000

I was at the first Garamendi Town Hall meeting today. I asked Congressman Garamendi if he actually read the 2000-page health care reform bill (HR3962) before voting Yes. He replied that he, “read a summary of the bill.” I checked it out and the summary was a whole 4-pages long! How’s that for accountability?

By: JG27 AD

JG27 AD — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:10:19 +0000

I don’t see where the congressman should be given kudos for supporting legislation that the Constitution does not permit the Federal Government.

It isn’t a matter of which century we are in. The Constitution only permits a few powers to the Federal government and the rest are reserved to the states or the people.

Do we live under it or is it void and null?
AD

By: Concordian

Concordian — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:06:02 +0000

Garamendi ran specifically on the the position that he would fully support the public option and government health care. He has complied with his campaign promise.

AS for the constitution and medical insurance etc…
it also does not say that we have veterans hospitals for soldiers
it also does not say that we have medicare or social security or public schools or clean water over sight or a lot of things specifically. If you cannot get with the 21st century at least try to enter the 20th.

By: JG27 AD

JG27 AD — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:32:02 +0000

How about this for a first question for the congressman:

What part of the United States Constitution authorizes a mandate to force medical insurance on the people?

Let’s see if Garamendi is just another of Nancy’s Boys.

By: Elwood

Elwood — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:36:19 +0000

Ralph, have you ever thought about getting a life?

By: Ralph Hoffmann, Guest Columnist

Ralph Hoffmann, Guest Columnist — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:49:36 +0000

Livermore is an interesting location. In 2010, it will likely be redistricted into Jerry McNerney’s District, if he gets re-elected in the 11th, one of the few CDs in CA in contention.
Will Garamendi be speaking in the District on Vererans’ Day tomorrow?