C_Clayton_Jones
Diamond Member
The rightist obsession of this is bizarre, I understand the dogma of it, but it’s bizarre nonetheless.Once upon a time, Thomas Edison invented an incandescent light bulb. Tomorrow (2014) will see the government ban on incandescent light bulbs become almost complete.
Since the First Quarter of the 19th Century the Court has ruled that Congress has the implied, un-enumerated authority to regulate commerce and enact legislation deemed ‘necessary and proper’ to realize desired goals in a civilized society.
Acts of Congress reflect the will of the people – including seatbelts, light bulbs, and health insurance. Acts of Congress are presumed Constitutional; any citizen who believes otherwise may file suit in Federal court.
The idea that the measures noted in the OP will somehow result in the loss of civil liberties or the establishment of a totalitarian state is naïve and hyperbolic.
The true threat to our civil liberties is the likes of the Patriot Act, or other efforts to undermine our 4th Amendment right to privacy, to be secure in our ‘persons, houses, papers, and effects.’ Or efforts to abridge our 5th and 6th Amendment right to due process in an effort to ‘fight crime’ or conduct a ‘war on terror.’ Or the effort to abrogate our 14th Amendment right to equal access to the laws.
If the people determine through their elected officials in Congress to ban a light bulb considered inefficient or otherwise harmful, they may do so. They may not, however, determine the rights a given American may or may not have.
I would recommend the right get its priorities straight in this regard.