The American Spectator

With the passage of the bill that creates federal government-controlled healthcare, we are now so far down the road to serfdom that we can begin to see outskirts of the shantytown that it is. At the moment we can only hope that the Supreme Court, still smarting from their public drubbing at the State of the Union appearance, will side with the states now challenging the new law and rule on its fundamental unconstitutionality.

For those Americans not content to be serfs nor inclined to be fitted with the yoke of socialism, we need to keep speaking out, keep fighting back. We should demand from those who still faithfully represent us that there can be no negotiating with politicians hell-bent on creating this socialist utopia. We need politicians with backbone and the commitment to stand their ground against this wave of legislation on additional healthcare provisions, cap and tax, and all the other attempts by the radical left to continue to transform America for the worse. We need politicians who can call this agenda what it is - socialist. We long for the unwavering principled leadership of Ronald Reagan who withstood the progressives of his own party much less the socialist Democrats who came to prominence and the socialist leaning mainstream press. We need politicians with the courage that Reagan exhibited when he shouted not only “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” but also “I paid for this microphone!” when those in New Hampshire threatened to silence him. Let us find politicians with that fire, with that passion. And let us stoke those fires within us. After all, we also paid for the microphones even the ones that the socialists in the government use. But let’s stop at paying for our own shackles.
—BJ

LEGAL CHALLENGE
Re: Stacy Cline’s Without Recourse:

I enjoyed Stacy Cline’s opinion piece entitled “Without Recourse”, though I find it more fact than opinion. There is another element in regards to the constitutionality of the health care mandate. Isn’t there both state and federal law that guards against being forced under duress or influence into entering into a contract with a private party against one’s will? It is my understanding no person ever has to enter into a contract with anyone for any reason. Isn’t this a legal challenge?
— Doug H.

NO STANDING
Re: W. James Antle, III.’s The Disappearing Pro-Life Democrat:

The Obama executive order has no standing. The president cannot redirect funding from what has been designated by legislation that has been passed and signed.

Nixon had refused to spend monies that had been specified in legislation. A court suit was filed and the Supreme Court ruled that the president cannot change the spending that has been enacted by the Congress.
— George J. Silvestri

THANKS
Re: Peter Ferrara’s Turning America Into a Banana Republic:

My thanks to the excellent and revealing article by Peter Ferrara for his statement about the current events we are faced with today. I grew up standing when elders entered the room, remaining silent at the dining table if guests were present, accepting one’s good word with faith, keeping our promises, and treating others as we would have them treat us. What happened? As I listened to Nancy Pelosi’s speech until I became so nauseated I had to turn it off, I was temporarily mesmerized by the proven lies that flowed with ease from her mouth. I am sure she knows that millions of Americans know that what she says is false, and yet she repeats the spin, adding that this is for the American people. Now I may be confused, but I can’t help thinking which Americans could she be referring to? Beats me. Sarcasm aside, this issue is so big and the results of it possibly passing more devastating than we can imagine. This affects every single human being in America. Thankfully there are those in media to explain and clarify the facts of exactly what the Democratic legislation will do TO us and not FOR us. You are appreciated.
— Susan Mcatee