Year: 2009

Looks like he’s planning to force a vote on its constitutionality. Not sure how much good it will do, but here’s what he says:

“Forcing every American to purchase a product is absolutely inconsistent with our Constitution and the freedoms our Founding Fathers hoped to protect,” said Senator DeMint. “This is not at all like car insurance, you can choose not to drive but Americans will have no choice whether to buy government-approved insurance. This is nothing more than a bailout and takeover of insurance companies. We’re forcing Americans to buy insurance under penalty of law and then Washington bureaucrats will then dictate what these companies can sell to Americans. This is not liberty, it is tyranny of good intentions by elites in Washington who think they can plan our lives better than we can.”

I would also point out that auto insurance mandates are state mandates. Regulating vehicles on the public roads has long been held to be within the states’ police powers. Unfortunately, the Commerce Clause jurisprudence today allows the federal government to regulate pretty much anything called “commerce.” Whether that extends to the government forcing people to buy a product is an interesting question, but there’s plenty of precedent that would suggest they indeed do. The “takings” argument is an interesting one, but you know, Kelo worked out so well, didn’t it?

Our government is out of control, and there’s nothing we can do about it until 2010. That’s just how it is. Whether we want to admit it or not, this is the Government the people thought they wanted. If they are having voters’ remorse, I feel for them, but there were plenty of voices out there telling people exactly what they were going to get out of this President and this Congress.

Sometimes it’s not about opening your wallet to fight a political fight.  And you might not be great with people for purposes of going door-to-door for a candidate.  While those things have to happen, I couldn’t help but think about how many other skills people have to offer a movement that they don’t contribute after listening to this song by a conservative performer.

Legal issues aside, no one can doubt that Shepard Fairey’s work make a huge impact for the Obama campaign. According to Edelman, Obama supporters put more than 400,000 user-created videos on YouTube. While an activist shouldn’t spend all or his/her time on these types of activities, they are relevant if you have an avenue and plan to get them out to broader audiences.

What I know I’m tired of seeing are people who are just angry and fuming. Turn that anger into motivation to do something. I know I have a few ideas for some independent outreach projects come election time, but until then I’m going to do things like contact the declared candidates and make sure they contact NRA to get a questionnaire and let them know there are pro-gun voters in the district.

I’m not exactly full of artistic talent, nor do I have much in the way of video skills, but I have been amassing a collection of stock videos, images, and songs that could come in handy someday for either a project of mine or those I know who do have more skills and talent.

With the very un-merry Christmas gift we’re getting from the Democrats in the Senate this year, use some of your time around the holidays to get a little creative in what you can give to fight for freedom.

(Song found via Ravenwood who should consider a holiday gift of giving the world more of his blogging talents.) :)