Jon - At regular intervals I tell you that you have a better understanding of our culture than those of us who have lived here and know no other system.  I enjoy your observations and value your judgments. 

Jefferson was a believer in limited government and the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were created as a limitation on government.  However, I note that TJ did not hesitate to exceed his enumerated powers to double the size of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase when the opportunity presented itself. 

It is my personal opinion that our Federal Government is closer now to the tyranny of King George III than we have ever seen.  This observation has very little to do with President Obama.  It is the result of a trend which includes most Presidents and certainly both parties for the last century.  Corruption and special interests have become the rule rather than the exception.

The concept of a living Constitution with endlessly elastic clauses does, in my view, violence to the Constitution and the framework of limited government which founded and sustained this nation for more than 200 years.  The framers provided an alternate method for the Constitution to evolve  to meet the needs of the people - it is the process of amendment.  At least the states would have to agree to a loss of liberty rather than merely have the Congress steal our freedoms as they continue to do.

The frequently repeated refrain of radicals and progressives is that the framers did not foresee the events of today and it is our responsibility to change the framework to reflect current events.  The term I have used in response in these pages is horsepuckey. (a term of art to be sure)  Whether spouted by a Republican or Democrat the intent is violence to the Constitution and a diminution of freedom and liberty. It is the supreme arrogance and a lust for power that drives these reformers - again in my view.

I continue to remind people at every opportunity that the only way for my government to give me a dollar is for them to take it by force from those of you who may read this. There is no free lunch and somebody, sometime is going to have to pay the bill.  We are irresponsibly and criminally mortgaging our future in an unconscionable betrayal of future generations in an attempt to centralize power and deprive the citizens of the United States of their liberty.  No democracy (or Republic, in our case) can survive after a majority of citizens discover that they can vote themselves benefits.  

Our willingness to depend upon the nanny state government instead of addressing social and economic problems in the free marketplace will change our nation in ways which I find frightening and ill-advised.  The current administration and Congressional leadership make no secret of their intent to fundamentally change our nation.  We can only voice our opinion and our opposition in the hope that the Congress will back off to keep their jobs.  

I find it hard to believe that a majority of the citizens of my Country agrees with the current administration - empirical evidence of the last two elections notwithstanding.  but it is one minute to midnight and the American People must raise their voices now if we are to retain our freedoms.  

I believe in the rule of law and I believe in (to quote President Lincoln) government of the people, by the people and for the people.  I view the current progressive, liberal, Marxist, statist agenda of the President and his advisors as the road to the death of freedoms that I thought were important.  But I am only one voice - and these decisions will require many voices.  I believe that our history over the last century provides proof that limited government, low tax free market environment and personal freedoms is the way to achieve greatness as a nation and a higher standard of living for more people than any other system on our planet.  We are, in my opinion, not moving in the right direction. 

"We the People" meant something when written in 1789.  It must mean something again today.

That is, at least, my opinion.

Tchaka - I try to avoid pundit opinion as my sole source of information.  I have not read the bills in detail yet as the house bill was not released to the public in time for me to study it before the vote was called and the Senate bill is not yet passed.  I consider the process to be a shell game until the final bill comes out of conference and is ready to be voted on in the same version by both houses of Congress.

However, it is my opinion that we simply cannot afford the bill at this time and I am concerned that potential cost cutting measures have not been considered (other than cutting Medicare and Medicare Advantage programs).  

I value your intellect and judgment.  Can you point me to any government program which has been a successful example of efficiency and streamlining?  Or any entitlement program which has not been hilariously under estimated in terms of costs.  

I expect that I would agree with you that there are areas of the health care system which need reform.  But, in my opinion, this administration and the Congressional leadership are going in the wrong direction and the result will be a catastrophe that will negatively impact the vast majority of citizens who currently have private insurance and the seniors who are already in a government program.  

When President Clinton was impeached by the House I opposed the action.  I do not believe that such serious action should take place without bi-partisan support.  I apply the same standard to the drastic actions being taken by the Obama Administration and the Congressional leadership.  If anyone wants to craft a bi-partisan solution to these major problems, there is an opportunity.  The changes which are being put in place will polarize the nation and will result in exaggerated swings in political power in Washington.  More moderate approaches could be more lasting and effective.