In your "Gipper" paragraph of 22 Feb., The Gipper lived in the 20th Century, not the 21th.

Michael, who took offense at your play on words around light and light bulb, needs to 'light'en up.

Would you post a specific citation for Thomas Jefferson's observation that "Whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force."? I want to disseminate that as widely as possible, and having a reference for it would enhance its impact.

I believe the questions on the census that cannot be shown to me to be required by the Constitution are an invasion of my privacy. I will willingly give the names and ages of the persons living in my home. The other information is nobody's business and those questions wil not be answered. I know many of them were not envisioned by the framers. Most of those items had not even been invented wehn the Constitution was written, and they are ceretainly not contained in ammendments.

In view of the current political situation I to plan to answer only that required by the Constitution. Speaking of the Constitution, Where does it say in the constution that federal politicians will recieve any salary, health or retirement benefits or be paid expenses for serving our country. I say cut them off. We would soon find out who the true patriots are.

The Jefferson quote reminded me of my favorite Founding Father and a quote about him by one of our Presidents. At a White house gala, JFK toasted the gathered philosophers, statesmen, artists and assorted literati with these words: "This is probably the greatest collection of intellects and visionaries ever present in this room. With the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined here alone."

http://www.rv-103.com/?p=283

Sirs,

Would you be kind enough to read my blog post about Obama killing our Human Space Flight Program? If you find it worthy enough, feel free to pass it on to your readers.

Sincerely,

Gregory N. Cecil

"Expenditures of taxpayer provided funds on space related activities find constitutional justification in Article I, Section 8, Clause 8, that gives Congress broad power to “promote the Progress of Science and the useful Arts.” In addition, the Article I power and obligation to “provide for the Common Defense” relates directly to the geopolitical importance of space exploration at this frontier of human endeavor." Dr. Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 Astronaut

I guess my objection to the CPAC poll and the Republicans' is that is seems to be an attempt to engulf the tea party movement. I object to that because there are many in the Republican party leadership that I consider to be a problem. Both of my senators are an example, John McCain's first response to any problem is to first find out what the media wants and then he reacts accordingly. He will respond to his constituients IF they inundate him with phone calls and emails and then he will take their concerns into consideration. Jon Kyl, the other AZ Senator has good ideas and good intentions, but seems to lack the back bone to stand up to the leaders that are ramming all this stuff down our throats. We would be much better off with a more aggressive conservative in office. I surely agree that stopping the Democratic agenda is important. My complaint is that you were supposed to select your top 10 priorties and out of 22, illegal immigrant was not even an option. I feel that it should be in the top ten and it didn't even make their top 22!! Not acceptable to me and it doesn't sound like the tea party that I have been involved with.

Bill,

I understand you comments on the Census. I also understand Dr. Williams comments on the Census. I agree with both of you. Dr. Williams is pointing that the questions being asked have NO bearing on counting the population of the United States of America. The questions being asked on the census relate to special items of interest to specialized groups of people in and around Washington, D.C. These groups are the special interest groups that demand governmental spending for programs that benefit them and no one else.

I plan to follow Dr. Williams lead and answer only those questions that relate to the enumeration of the Census.

Thank you for your service to this country. It is Americans like you, Dr. WIllimas and those of us who believe in the Constitution that make America great.

Duke

The name of the game for global warming, or climate change to be more politically correct, has always been greed and power. Yet, as early as 2002, the book published (Taken by Storm) by the two Canadians, Essex and McKitrick, and identifying faulty science and deliberate lies has been ignored by the radicals. Even last week, the spokeswoman for the EPA demanded that "the science is settled". This giant heat transfer problem is not over.

...........a Thermodynamicist

Thanks for all you do and stand for. Here is a link that I think you will relate to and enjoy. Check it out when you have a moment.

Thanks again for your work!

G. Lester Thompson

Click here: YouTube - The Census Is Getting Personal

If this link does not work, try this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsDhkPym01k

Name, rank and serial number. When completing any 2010 census form I will only answer names and number of people in the household. All other "inquiries" will completed with the following: "refer to US CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I SECTION 2"

The arguments against global warming and against a "government response" to the situation is growing faster than I can keep up. The Patriot Post has offered so much material to refute both these hyperbolic claims. Is there a way I could access a summary of all the material you have posted? It would save me a great deal of time when arguing with "the sky is falling, call the government" crowd.

I am very concerned about how intrusive and over-bearing our government has become. I have re-registered as an independent. In the November elections I plan to vote for anyone whose name has an "I" after it. My philosophy has become "clear the pool". I would support an amendment to the Constitution for term limits so that our Representatives and Senators will more likely be regular folk instead of career politicians.

Thanks for your publication and for listening.

Amanda

The lack of Constitutional mandate for superfluous questions on the census aside; I delight in enlightening the “government” on the topic of race by checking “Other” and filling in the obvious and only appropriate answer, “HUMAN.” I encourage others to do likewise, perhaps someone in the “government” will wakeup. We need not be divided; we are one nation, one race under God.

Art Peterson, excellent idea! I'll be using that one also!

This whole census thing has me a bit confused. Why is the question not "how many legal, U.S citizens live here"? If we are talking about apportionment of Reps and Senators, who else votes other than U.S. citizens (this is not intended to be a trick question)? Do we want representation based on total population or voting population? Or are the Dems counting on these undocumented voters being granted amnesty once they can get the representation aligned correctly? Now there is transparency for you....

First, I am not a lawyer. While I appreciate everyone's insistence that they will only provide the information required by the constitution, and while the constitution is the supreme law of the land, US Code determines how that law is executed.

Here is the 16 amendment concerning collection of taxes..

“The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.”

That is all is says, nothing about interest deductions, childcare deductions, educational credits, etc but I will bet everyone takes all those they can and provides the information the IRS requires to document those deductions and credits. Those deductions and credits are in the IRS tax code, not the constitution.

Similarly the constitution and census activity is similar. See GAO response to Bob Barr at http://www.gao.gov/decisions/other/289852.htm This letter was in response to ACS surveys but the letter references the US census as well.

Joe

Am I mistaken? I 'thought' I just heard a bit ago that Rep. Neil Abercrombie, 1st District, Hawaii, submitted a letter of resignation to peelousy but of course she is rarely there...the appointed clerk read the letter. What do YOU know. I cannot find anything to substaniate this. Thank you, JVByars

I very much appreciate Walter E.Williams comment regarding the Census. There has been so much said about what information we "have" to give on the census that I have been confused and wondering what I am legally bound to give. I have chafed against any information beyond names and number of people living in my household. Mr. Williams statement that he plans to only give names and number of residents in his household gave me courage to do the same and confirms for me that the Constitution does not require or allow for further information. Thank you, Patriot Post, for your voluminous information regarding our country, Constitution and liberties to keep everyone well informed.

I had decided the moment Mr. Obama moved into the White House.....I would not take part in the census. You do know he, Mr. Obama, will be using this info for his next campaign.....How much more stupidity are we true Americans going to provide for this folly. "Not I' .

I just wanted to say that I, too, felt the same as "Michael". I feel that, that Catholic parish needs to rethink their stance on "global warming". I also feel that they should not be chastised for asking people to be responsible when it comes to conserving electricity and recycling b/c it is good for the environment even if it is based on the fallacy of "global warming". I was put off by the comment about turning off the light of Christ, too. I know that many people hate Catholics and the Catholic Church and take any opportunity to attack us. It hurt to have my beloved Patriot Post make a comment like that. I don't think Michael or any of us read too much into it. There is a feeling out there in the Liberty Movement that Catholics are a necessary evil. It is what it is, and I understand why it was brought up in the Patriot Post b/c this feeling also exists at tea party meetings. At any rate, I am still a loyal reader and Catholic American who will work to fight for the restoration of the Constitution.

Those who want a great climate book, try "Ice Age" by John and Mary Gribbon. Among other things "In the long history of Earth, polar ice caps are rare, and, having two at the same time, may be unique."

Globull warming. If we had the honest, intelligent, wise political leaders dedicated to the public good we supposedly elect, the increasing flood of information on ClimateGate should produce confessions of error, and an immediate end to not only proposed legislation, but restrictions already imposed; e.g. EPA on carbon dioxide. Of course, Al Gore's mea culpa should be the very first. He could save face, and possibly win another award by producing a documentary exposing how all this nonsense was foisted off on a gullible public with the active participation of a power hungry Administration. Obviously the title should be An Inconvenient Truth.

Global cooling (oops climate change) has two new supporters, the Piltown Man and the Cardiff Giant. Say doesn't AlBore look like them?

Timothy E,

In what century would you place 2000-2004? I believe he lived in both.

Federal government control of health care is the largest take a away program of Citizens rights since social security (also known"" as stealing from your children and grandchildren), the federal reserve board and the income tax. The ones responsible for these monsrtosities are Wilson, FDR, BHO, Otto Bismark and Adolph. Yes Bismark and Adolph. Bismark came up with the original idea for social security. That is why the age was set at 65, because most people did not live to 65. And Adolph refined it. BHO, FDR and Wilson fit right in with these two great humanitarians.

Then said He unto them, "But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." -- Luke 22: 36 (KJV)

Thomas Sowell is so accurate in the article he wrote. The Progressives/Socialists/Democrats are attempting to use tactics of class warfare in their efforts to ram through their Leftist Agenda. We, as freedom loving Americans must resist the blatant arrogance of those on the Far Left as they go about the country fomenting turmoil. One of the terms we must remember is, not to allow them to, "divide and conquer".

Can someone tell me why the current number of how many constituents are represented by one representative is around 650,000, when the Constitution says 30,000 to 59,999?

Do you get the feeling we are not represented adequately? Each citizen has 1/13th the power a citizen of the United States did for the first several decades of our existence. That means each representative has 13 times the power of the original representatives. This is an approximation of course, but I think you see where I'm going. If not, I'll explain.

The purpose for the census was to determine if a state should gain or lose representatives according to the population change every ten years. All that is happening now is that lines might get redrawn. Let's say that a state has 6 representatives, like Kentucky. If the average number of constituents for each rep. is 650,000, how high does it have to go before another is added? Pretty high is the answer. In fact, the number of representatives per state has shrunk several times as they fudge the figures and change formulas, all contrary to the Constitution. All done outside of Constitutional mandates. Constitutional amendment is needed to change the original mandate, but that has never happened. Check it out yourself.

How can any legislator, Democrat or Republican, even think about voting yea or nay before a thorough examination of any bill. The "health care bill" is, in my 70 year young opinion, not intended for health care per se, but a means to control 16% of our national wealth. It is so open ended that it's tantamount to signing a check and letting the vendor fill in the amount. The ONLY means that cost can be regulated is to regulate patient care. The younger generation cares little about health care because they are, in their minds, indestructible. I was, as were virtually all of you in your youth. My wife and I saved all of our lives for retirement. Now Obama is having trillions of worthless dollars printed to pay our nation mortgage and that of future generations on top of demanding legislation that will further erode our economy. Many people seem to forget that the government has no money other than what they take from the working class. The "redistribution" of wealth is purely a socialist agenda. The economy in Europe is failing, as is the Euro, because of socialism. Help those that cannot help themselves? Absolutely! Support those on the dole at the same level as a worker? Nay, I say! Allow Illegal's any rights, privileges or access to public funding? Nay, I say. Perhaps a National I.D. card, much like a passport, should be issued to legal Americans that would have to be presented whenever someone applies for a rental apartment, a home mortgage, public assistance or medical attention. Some people seem to forget that they are nothing more than criminals simply by breaking our immigration laws, have some of the most violent gangs, do not, for the most part, pay taxes and for a litany of other valid reasons should be send packing back to their countries of origin. "Oh", some say as they wring their hands in a pious manner, "but they just want a better life". So did all other immigrants, but they did it legally! Is each individual allowed to pick and choose which laws are O.K. to break? As a retired NY State Correction Officer I saw this all too often. Enough. I say!

In response to Michael's comment about the Patriot Posts' bad humor during Lent, I would like to say as a devout convert to the Catholic faith, I was offended by the Church engaging in political nonsense, not the Post's play on words. The Church shines light on all corners of the world, so it is quite distressing that the Church would even mention going 'green' as a remotely legitimate practice during Lent. The end all of the 'green' movement would bring more poverty and lower standards of living to everyone (except AlGore). Progressives have long been infiltrating the Church, and the Post has quite nicely ratted them out.

Mr. Ramey Article 1 Section 6 of The Constitution allows compensation from our Treasury to our illustrious Congressional folks. Mr. William's idea regarding answering the Census is great along with Mr. Peterson and Mr. Leonard's recommendations. The problem is Joe's interesting point. I will investigate before I provide more than name rank, serial number. You folks certainly provide interesting thoughts in a civil manner. Thanks. Enjoy, Bob

I must take issue with this post:February 22, 2010 at 12:06:58 PM by G.N. Cecil:

"Expenditures of taxpayer provided funds on space related activities find constitutional justification in Article I, Section 8, Clause 8, that gives Congress broad power to “promote the Progress of Science and the useful Arts.”

The actual Enumerated Power reads: "To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;"

This is specifically for the operation of a national patent office, as our founders understood that #1) humans are motivated by self interest, and #2)that if each state had their own patent office, there would be no "security" in the invention.

The only constitutional guise that NASA can use is defense, but that flys in the face of the stated goal of a military free zone.

The 'Climate Change' issue: Since the git-go my bell-wether is when the Gloom and Doom crowd start buying beach/ocean property on Vancouver (Canada) Island or Newfoundland I'll give their claim a serious analysis!

Excellent column by Mr. Williams on the census (2/22). Unfortunately, the bureau will probably send someone around to get the answers you rightly refuse to give.

Instead, I'd suggest, that anyone born here in the U.S. answer the 'race' question with 'Native American'. It's certainly not a lie, although it's anything but the answer they're looking for. Come up with a ridiculous number for the number of times married (27 for example), how much paid for electricity ($10,000) and # of bath & bedrooms (1 bedroom, 15 bathroom).

If at some point in the future you get questionnaires asking the time you leave for work, be sure to respond as detailed as possible (7:03:14.2), but note a different time zone, preferably Greenwich Mean Time, or somewhere overseas, and use a completely different zone for when you arrive at work. If you can, use military time.

I thought slavery was against the law in the United States of America? Seems to me that the "nattering nabobs" in our federal government are trying to bring it back...for all of us!!! Revolutions have begun for fewer abuses than are currently being propogated against "We the people" by those whose pay checks we sign... I have a small business. If my employees attempt to run me I will run them out the door!!! Should we do no less to our "employees" in the Congress in November?

In answer to Stephen Leonard's request for the provenance of Jefferson's quote, I believe you will find it in the draft of the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798/99 written by Jefferson