How dare a senator bring up the subject of the Constitution during a debate on whether a proposed law is constitutional! That appears to be Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s reaction to Sen. Ted Cruz today.
The moment came during today’s debate on Feinstein’s “assault” weapons ban, which passed the Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote. It stands little chance of passing the full Senate or the House, and its constitutionality is certainly debatable. When Cruz brings the Constitution into the discussion, Feinstein makes a fallacious appeal to her own inherent authority as a former mayor and lifetime politician, rather than debate him on the merits.
“I’m not a sixth grader,” she told the freshman Tea Party favorite. “I’m not a lawyer, but after 20 years I’ve been up close and personal to the Constitution. I have great respect for it … it’s fine you want to lecture me on the Constitution. I appreciate it. Just know I’ve been here for a long time. I’ve passed on a number of bills. I’ve studied the Constitution myself. I am reasonably well educated, and I thank you for the lecture.”
Pardon my bluntness, but so frickin’ what? Just because someone revels in political power over the course of a lifetime does not make them wise or good stewards of the law, or demonstrate that they understand the limits on government power under our system. In fact, the longer many politicians remain in power, the less respect they evidently have for those constitutional limits. Feinstein evidently sees very few limits on her power to legislate. In the past she has admitted that she would ban all guns — doing away with the Second Amendment — if she could.
Democratic Sens. Leahy and Durbin get their backs up later in the video, which more than anything shows that they too don’t really understand the limits placed on them by the Constitution. Or they do understand them, but don’t care.
Don’t be surprised if Feinstein tries turning herself into a victim here, and feminists come to her aid by accusing Cruz of “attacking women” or something. That’s how they operate.
"While the Founding Fathers, authors and signers of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, were governing this nation it was a common practice to sign letters of marque.
This allowed private American citizens to buy or build the most modern warship available, equip it with the most modern weapons available, and then use it in open warfare against the nation's enemies.....for profit no less.
It must also be remembered that those same Founding Fathers purposefully neglected to create a national army, fully expecting private citizens to be sufficently armed with "military" weapons to defend themselves against invasion.
The War of Independence started precisely because the government was attempting to seize privately owned military weapons and... (show more)
"While the Founding Fathers, authors and signers of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, were governing this nation it was a common practice to sign letters of marque.
This allowed private American citizens to buy or build the most modern warship available, equip it with the most modern weapons available, and then use it in open warfare against the nation's enemies.....for profit no less.
It must also be remembered that those same Founding Fathers purposefully neglected to create a national army, fully expecting private citizens to be sufficently armed with "military" weapons to defend themselves against invasion.
The War of Independence started precisely because the government was attempting to seize privately owned military weapons and supplies, including artillery.
I think we can safely say that the writers of the Bill of Rights knew exactly what they were saying, and what they meant. It is simply undeniable that the original meaning of the 2nd Amendment would allow private citizens to own bazookas." (show less)
On the other hand, ask Cruz what he thinks of the ban on fully automatic machine guns. Isn't that also unconstitutional but he is ok with that exception?
On the other hand, ask Cruz what he thinks of the ban on fully automatic machine guns. Isn't that also unconstitutional but he is ok with that exception?
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