Quote:
Originally Posted by spence
- State laws that can be circumvented by crossing a line points to a federal solution.
This is exactly the kind of thinking which has to a great degree destroyed our constitutional system of government. And if not checked and reversed, will totally erase it--"fundamentally transform" it, as Obama knows very well and intentionally wishes to do. Crossing a State line, if that is what you mean by a "line," is far from pointing to federal involvement. The Commerce clause was clearly intended to prevent States from imposing tariffs or banning products simply because they come from another State. It was intended to ensure the free flow of commerce between States, not to restrict it or federally regulate it. The intentional misuse (false "interpretation") of the Commerce clause (and most other Clauses) has so bastardized the constitutional structure that it gives the Federal government nearly unlimited power (if it so chooses) over the States. This is no big secret. And if you are somehow not aware of it, you're a progressive useful idiot. I believe you damned well know it and approve of it. You never answered the question "are States necessary?" From the line of thinking you present, I don't believe you really think they are. If anything, you may consider them (especially "red" states) to be an obstacle to supposedly good government.
- Gun control is a long-term strategy. At the least we should be able to study the issue and the NRA won't even allow it.
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The issue has been and is being "studied." The NRA cannot legislate against nor stop the study of the issue. It can lobby, as can left wing gun controllers, the Congress. But what you really mean, as usual, is that the FEDERAL government is prevented from studying it. With, in my opinion, good reason. I don't know what the NRA rationale is, but to me it is dangerous to our constitutionally guaranteed rights to have the very institution the Constitution bans from abridging those rights study the "need" or efficacy of imposing control over them. As I've said before, that is a version of letting the fox in the henhouse. States can make their own studies, as can any private organizations, persons, or non-federal organizations. And they do.
The Federal government has specific enumerated powers to which it must attend. Those powers alone are enough to keep it productively busy. When it goes beyond the specified duties, it overburdens itself beyond its capability to justly govern and imposes dictatorial regulations against the will of the people as well as bankrupting the nation and financial future of all but its commercial and political cronies.
And it ultimately usurps the power of the States, ergo diminishes the governments closest to and most directly responsible to its citizens.
Thus it gradually erodes the functions of the States which become mere vassals of the central government. They become increasingly superfluous and an impediment to central power.
A process which I assume you approve of.