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Nothing more and nothing less than LOGIC.

Last June, like most conservatives, I felt great shock and disappointment with the ruling of the Supreme Court holding Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act—commonly known as Obamacare—as constitutional.  The legislation itself represents an assault on our basic liberties. Americans should not be penalized because they have made the economic decision to not purchase health insurance in the private marketplace. Our federal government, which is supposed to be limited in scope, should not be so powerful as to have the ability to regulate not only what we do, but also what we do not do. For the first time in history inaction is now a taxable undertaking. This is wrong and goes against the very nature of American governance and tradition. The United States is exceptional because the very charter that created our nation recognized our inalienable right to liberty. That liberty discussed in the Declaration of Independence includes taking the economic risk of not purchasing health insurance even when you can afford it.

As the law came before the Supreme Court, Justice Scalia made a prescient point that showed how the motivating factor behind Obamacare erodes our freedom. He said, “Everybody has to buy food sooner or later, so you [the federal government] define the market as food, therefore, everybody is in the market; therefore, you can make people buy broccoli.” Progressive liberals who support the president’s healthcare reform cling to a notion that unwinds the protections granted to us by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Conservatives must respond by standing together to empower Americans with the freedom offered to everyone by a limited government.

Obamacare is one of the largest expansions of the size of government in our national history. By validating that the federal government has the ability to tax inaction the Supreme Court has ruled that Congress can regulate every aspect of our lives through the tax code. This ruling is a step too far. Good intentions by Washington politicians cannot replace our basic liberties and self-responsibility. Despite being law for over three years, a large majority of Americans want this law repealed. As members of Congress, it is our duty to protect the rights of the people, not take them away.

Regardless of whether or not Obamacare is eventually repealed, the Supreme Court has set a dangerous precedent that only opens the door for future abuse by ambitious lawmakers. The Court ruled that Congress has the ability to pass laws that can force Americans to either buy particular products in the private market or face the IRS. Under this precedent, Congress could force anyone to buy a product that lawmakers in Washington deem indispensible to living a proper life. Chief Justice Roberts has essentially ruled that the Framers of the Constitution and Bill of Rights were wrong in expecting Americans to be able to make decisions regarding how to live their lives.

If the Supreme Court is going to twist the meaning of the taxation power of Congress to include mandated behavior, the only recourse left is for the people of the United States to change the Constitution, serving as a check on Washington’s authority. I revere the Constitution, and changing it in anyway is something that I take very seriously. A 5-4 ruling should not grant the federal government nearly unlimited power. To rectify this problem, I propose an amendment to the Constitution that prohibits Congress from using the creation of taxes in order to compel individuals to engage in commercial activity. It is the only way to ensure our limited government even if Obamacare is eventually repealed.

Majority Leader Cantor has said that we need to hack away at the infringements of our freedoms that are pervasive through Obamacare. This is my chop. Below is my proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. Washington should not be allowed to control every aspect of our lives. I ask all of you to join me in standing up to this intrusion into our daily lives. We can reclaim our right to be self-responsible citizens without the management of Washington bureaucrats, but we must take action while we still can.

Language of the proposed Bentivolio Amendment:

The Congress shall not have the power to lay and collect taxes in order to compel any person or persons to engage in commercial activity, nor shall Congress have the power to lay and collect taxes from any person or persons for a failure to engage in any form of commercial activity.

Kerry Bentiviolio – Red State

Kerry Bentivolio is a first-term Congressman who represents Michigan’s 11th district. He is a veteran, school teacher, small business owner, and family farmer.

From Congressman Bentivolio’s Facebook page:

Today I cosponsored the Enumerated Powers Act. I am proud that the first bill I am cosponsoring holds Congress accountable for its highest duty of upholding the Constitution. I was sent to Congress to protect our rights, not take them away. If this bill is enacted, it will act as a safeguard against unconstitutional legislation.

The Enumerated Powers Act, introduced by Representative Phil Gingrey (GA-11), seeks to strengthen the Constitutional Authority Statement by requiring a concise and definite statement of authority.  Members of Congress will be able to hold their colleagues accountable for their oath to uphold the Constitution by calling for a “point of order” on inadequate or flawed statements.

Unfortunately, it is a large longshot.

Thanks to Rep. Gingrey and Rep. Bentivolio for suggesting this step in the right direction.

FedUpUSA

Enough cronyism and taxpayer giveaways.

Kerry Bentivolio For Michigan’s 11th Congressional District

NOTE:  The following article was published on FedUpUSA on May 30, 2012.   We had voluntarily removed this article, after the Michigan GOP decided to coalesce behind Kerry when he won the primary election against their hand-picked write-in candidate, Nancy Cassis.  There was an assumption (obviously erroneous) that Rocky Raczkowski would be included in this rally behind the duly nominated Republican Candidate.  Apparently, that’s not the case.  Therefore, we’re putting this article back up to remind people that when it comes to public service, Rocky is far more interested in serving his own self-interests than that of the constituents. 

This morning (May 29, 2012), WXYT talk radio personality Charlie Langton had two interviews regarding Thaddeus McCotter’s recent campaign fiasco:  One with Kerry Bentivolio, now the only Republican that will appear on the primary ballot for Michigan’s 11^th Congressional district, and then immediately following, with Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski (former 2010 Republican nominee for Michigan’s 9th congressional district).   At first glance, one would think the current candidate and the former candidate would have much in common.  Both are U.S. Army soldiers, both are Republicans, and both have courted Tea Party support.  Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth, at least as far as Raczkowski’s apparent opinion of Bentivolio.

Raczkowski’s campaign in 2010 made appearances at Tea Party functions a centerpiece of his strategy.  Touting himself as the “anti-establishment,” “non-status quo” candidate in his run against Democrat Gary Peters, he courted independent liberty groups and grassroots activists, and yes, this even included (eek!) some of those “Ron Paul” people.  He also made his military service a focal point of his campaign.  Much of his campaign literature featured him in either dress uniform or ACUs posing with military vehicles or in a service setting.

Rocky Raczkowski (Photo Appearing in 2010 Campaign Literature)

In a stunning display of disingenuous hypocrisy, Raczkowski proceeded to accuse Bentivolio by inference of being not only a “radical” associated with “Ron Paul people” and Tea Parties, but also, insinuated that Bentivolio’s service record is not what Bentivolio says it is.   It certainly seems to me Mr. Raczkowski has a double-standard.  Suddenly, he has become a cheerleader for the Republican National Committee and the GOP, despite his own former campaign platform wherein he did precisely the same thing that Mr. Bentivolio is doing now:  appealing to the people, not Party.  Raczkowski stated in more than one interview in 2010:

We’ve taken on incredible debt; and, we’re destroying both our manufacturing base and our country.  Let’s face it – this Administration and the previous Administration railroaded the foundations of our Middle Class and its ability to build wealth.  And, I’m just as frustrated politically with Republicans as with Democrats. 

It appears party loyalty only extends so far and has a double-standard for Raczkowski.  It’s A-okay for him to criticize Republicans, but not for anyone else apparently.  It also appears that Raczkowski  doesn’t consider his own touting of Tea Party values to be remotely “radical”….at least not in 2010.

Republican candidate for congress in Michigan’s 9th District, Rocky Raczkowski (C) and his wife Amalia are interviewed by TEA PartyHD at a rally sponsored by the Tea Party Express October 29, 2010 in Waterford, Michigan. The 15-day tour began in Reno, Nevada and will end in Concord, New Hampshire on November 1st.

While discussing other candidates for the seat, Raczkowski had this bit of ephemeral insinuation to say about Kerry Bentivolio:

“I’ve talked with Kerry before, and here’s an individual that…from my perspective…I’m not here to bash anyone, but I, I am very much concerned with both candidates running now, and….I’ve thrown my hands up in the air, and I’m trying to figure out…which one’s the best of the two evils.”

The “best of the two evils?!”  Well, that’s rather hypocritical in light of his next accusation.  Raczkowski then proceeded to criticize Bentivolio for “refusing” to support the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, stating:

“Do I look at Kerry as being the candidate that we want to represent the 11th district? No, because he’s got some major issues…that I believe would hold him back…I was deeply unimpressed with the fact that the individual wouldn’t talk about issues…and he wouldn’t even address supporting Romney, or talk about Romney.”

Twice Raczkowski alluded to “issues” with Bentivolio as a candidate, but never elaborated, which was a blatant attempt to discredit Bentivolio based entirely upon absolutely nothing.  Even worse, however is that his accusation of Bentivolio’s alleged ‘refusal’ to support Mitt Romney was a complete and utter fabrication.  Not more than 20 minutes prior, Bentivolio had stated the following on air with Charlie Langton:

 “I’d like to avoid talking about the “minuses.”” [in re: Mitt Romney]

And

“…if he is the Republican candidate, my job is to support him.”

Mr. Bentivolio went on to state this about his view of Romney’s “positives”:

“…he is willing to listen, he is willing to compromise, negotiate, listen to reason…”

So wait.  Let me get this straight. Raczkowski is criticizing Bentivolio for failing to rally behind a fellow Republican, when Raczkowski himself is guilty of precisely the same thing, considering Bentivolio will be the ONLY Republican candidate printed on the primary ballot for the 11^th District.  Instead, he’s attempting to tear down the only Republican candidate?  How is this helping Republicans, or more importantly, the People of the 11th District?  Or is it that Raczkowski only wants to help himself and whatever the current RNC agenda happens to be?  It seems to me that Raczkowski ‘s behavior is only going to serve to ensure that a Democrat is elected in the 11th District.

Apparently finally intent on discussing his actual “concerns” about Kerry Bentivolio, Raczkowski had this exchange with Langton:

RR:

“Hey, I’m all for auditing The Fed, ending the war, and I’m a true combat soldier. Okay, I’ve served 26 years, both enlisted and commissioned in service to my country, and I love America more than…well, as much as any other person, if not more.”

CL:

“…Kerry’s been in three wars, though.”

RR:

“Yeah, I question some of the things…I’m not gonna go public, but I’ve talked with Kerry, and I look at his Facebook, and I look at how he treats or talks about his service in the military, and I have concerns. I have serious concerns about the candidates that are running in the 11th.”

In closing, Raczkowski added this insinuation:

“Here we have men and women that are fighting overseas, and we forget about them. We’ve got a national debt that’s way out of control, we have people that don’t understand business, that are more concerned about their own political futures running for office, instead of truly understanding what it is…selfless service.”

Notice the implication that somehow Bentivolio is impersonating a combat soldier? How about the suggestion that it is highly unlikely that Bentivolio could love America as much as Raczkowski?  Raczkowski even implied that Bentivolio had forgotten that we are fighting overseas, and that Mr. Bentivolio is much more concerned with running for office for personal gain, rather than selflessly serving an honorable term of civic duty.  Considering the fact that Bentivolio has served in three wars, one is forced to wonder which of Bentivolio’s tours of service seemed selfish to Raczkowski.

I certainly don’t think Raczkowski would have stood for anyone questioning his military service when he was running for Congress, or do I doubt he would stand for it now.  The very idea that an Army officer would stoop so low as to make unfounded, unsubstantiated assertions about another soldier’s service is flat out disgusting.   Either Raczkowski present evidence contrary to the military service record Bentivolio has put forth (Bentivolio has made his full DD214 available to the public) or Raczkowski should keep his mouth shut.  To do otherwise is conduct unbecoming of an officer and should be seen clearly for what it is: an attempt to paint a blatantly false picture of an honorable soldier, without having to present any actual facts or evidence.   Like it or not, the American people hold our military to a higher standard and Raczkowski’s behavior, in my book, is an insult to the uniform.

Further, if Raczkowski finds “Tea Party people” or “Ron Paul people” so “radical” and “offensive” perhaps he might like to explain his own 2010 campaign.  Or perhaps he owes those people, who he courted so adamantly, an apology for taking their money and giving them promises with absolutely no intent to follow through on any of them, since it’s pretty clear he had a hidden abhorrence for them and their views.  Either Raczkowski was lying then, or he’s lying now.

The only one I see as self-serving and “out for personal political gain” after these two interviews is Rocky Raczkowski.

I think the choice is clear for the conservatives, independent-minded, liberty-leaning, or Tea Party people of the 11th District.  If you want someone who truly does care about service to the people, someone who will put people’s concerns over Party politics and someone who has honesty and integrity, who will not tell you one thing and act in an entirely different manner when you’re not looking — then take a close look at Kerry Bentivolio.

Send the evil witch of the North home — and for the love of God Michiganders, please politically bury this exemplification of evil and lies and prevent it from poking its head up again in your fine state.

Last night Kerry Bentivolio won his primary contest (MI-11), showing that sometimes the truth does matter.  Attacked relentlessly with outright misrepresentations and invented slander (what else is new when it comes to politics, right?) Kerry’s campaign demonstrated that there is a tolerance limit when it comes to the major political party lie machine — and Nancy Cassis exceeded it.

The race is not over, of course, as this was the primary and now the general election looms.  However, the voters last night rejected the Republican establishment’s attempt to take a man dedicated to throwing a spanner wrench into the 30+ year corruption machine in Washington, ending deficit spending, securing our borders and returning accountability to Congress and throwing him in the trash in favor of yet more crony capitalism and scams.

I know nothing of Kerry’s Democratic challenger that he will face in November, but given the construction of the district and the voter demographic his odds look good for the general election.

The Market Ticker and FedUpUSA continue to support Kerry Bentivolio’s run for office and are looking forward to his presence in the US House of Representatives come January of 2013.