I read Henninger's piece. And some will disagree with the House legislation, while others will understand it completely.
But it isn't "extortion" for the House to exercise its prerogative.
The real extortion occurred when the Senate took HR 3590, a bill that was passed by the House as "Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009". Nothing to do with health care. Because our Constitution requires that ALL revenue bills originate in the House, and Harry Reid couldn't get a bill out of the House, he gutted HR 3590, which had already passed, and put his OWN text in it. Including the title. Then passed it, and sent it back to the House where it was passed on a total party-line vote (after substantial political payoffs).
So, this bill that raises 500 Billion in taxes, was never originated in the House in any equitable sense. It is a FRAUD. But you're not bitching about that. The House Republicans are the "extortionists"? Hell, they're trying to kill legislation that, Constitutionally, doesn't even EXIST. And you're pissed at the HOUSE?
The extortion happened when Reid gutted the original bill. Hopefully, it will be thrown out by the Supreme Court. In the meantime, deferring implementation until the Court hears the case is a totally sensible thing to do. |
