WHY IS THE USURPER NOT STOPPED?

By David A. McElroy

Aug. 4, 2011

Did any of you notice how President Obama slickly and unconstitutionally inserted himself into Congress’ role of controlling federal purse strings? The mainstream media glossed over this in reporting the Obama-Boehner debt limit deal the president announced Sunday, July 31st on TV.

This joint committee arranged by Obama and House Speaker John Boehner will, as Texas Congressman Ron Paul is quoted by Jack Hunter on Paul’s presidential campaign website, “disenfranchise the majority of congress by denying them the chance for meaningful participation.” Paul, a GOP candidate, said in a Paul Joseph Watson story carried by InfoWars.com, “This provision is an excellent way to keep spending decisions out of the reach of members who are not on board with the leadership’s agenda.”

Up until the August 2nd Senate ratification of the House of Representatives’ bill to raise the federal “debt ceiling”, all bills of taxation and expenditure had to originate in the House. Deliberations could often see heated debate, with amendments proposed or attached. Once the House of Representatives had passed such a bill, the senators could either filibuster, concur or amend with a counter proposal sent back to the House. Once a bill was passed by both chambers, the president could sign it, let it pass without endorsement, or veto it. And Congress could defeat his veto with a two-thirds vote. Americans used to be taught this in school, studying the U.S. Constitution.

Now, Obama prevails upon, and will consult with, a “Super Congress” of six senators and six representatives, with equal numbers from both the Democrat and Republican parties. These twelve have yet to be named. The president is seen as “the thirteenth member” of this “Central Committee”, which will operate much like that of the defunct USSR, the Supreme Soviet. Do you think six Democrats and six Republicans having arms twisted by a Communist, er, Democrat, president might deliver a Democrat agenda? By the way, the Communist Party USA just endorsed Obama for re-election.

This “Super Congress” is intended to expedite matters with unfettered authority and avoid the constitutional obstacles to “fast track” legislation. Such obstacles were intended to ensure elected representatives deliberate the issues carefully on an open floor with equal opportunity for each to be participating in fact-finding, discussion, debate, and propositions for amendments and offer some countermeasures. Republican Speaker Boehner’s deal with Obama ends this procedural tradition, and also ends the recent TEA Party Republican rule adopted in January to post the full text of bills on-line at least 72 hours in advance of voting on them. The “Super Congress” will craft all bills behind closed doors, and when these bills are brought to the floor of the House or Senate for a vote, there will be no discussion, no filibuster, no amendments allowed. Members of Congress can only vote “yea” or “nay” on the bills.

If Congress cannot agree with legislation proposed by the joint committee, “triggers” in the debt crisis deal will automatically set in motion $1.2 trillion in spending cuts across the board in all areas of government, including the Dept. of Defense as well as discretionary matters. Our Social Security and Medicare should be considered held hostage. Watson reported Congressman Paul stating “Approval of the recommendations of the “Super Congress” is tied to yet another debt ceiling increase. This guarantees that members (on both floors of Congress) will face tremendous pressure to vote for whatever comes out of this commission - even if it includes tax increases. This provision is an excellent way to keep spending decisions out of the reach of members who are not on board with the leadership’s agenda.” Can you say “BLACKMAIL”?

Supposedly, this “fast track” dictatorial approach to legislation in this new joint committee is to resolve the federal debt crisis by Christmas, but it will deal with Uncle Sam’s budget for the next decade. And the language of its creation does not necessarily preclude the committee from imposing bills on other non-fiscal subjects. Gun Owners of America Founder Larry Pratt has warned Obama will use this “Super Congress” committee to impose his anti-gun agenda despite the Second Amendment guarantee.

Judge Andrew Napolitano, told FOX News Aug. 1st that “Members of the Senate and members of the House have the opportunity under the Constitution to debate items that are sent to them and to modify items that are sent to them. To force them to vote just yes or no with no debate, not to follow the rules of the House, which permits amendments, not to follow the rules of the Senate, which permit’s a filibuster, is such a substantial removal of the authority the Constitution gave them that this legislation is treading in waters that may not be constitutional.” Remarking on Napolitano’s noting “This is this Congress binding itself and all future Congresses to a simple up-or-down vote,“ Thomas R. Eddlem, in a New American article dated Aug. 4th, declared “In that sense, the new “Super Congress” joint committee is truly revolutionary, and unquestionably unconstitutional. Under the Constitution, no Congress can bind a subsequent Congress with rules of procedure, which is why one of the first acts of every new Congress after an election is for the House and Senate to separately approve new rules.”

Revolutionary indeed. Like Lenin. This “Super Congress” may be seen as bipartisan, but it is neither democratic nor republican. It is tyranny. LIVE FREE OR DIE TRYING!