The second estimate seems most likely to me, but you must pick one to win the pool. - Edit 1
Before modification by Joel at 01/06/2012 02:26:34 AM
Seriously, though? If you keep it up, maybe a week. Two, tops.
I am tempted to make a complaint to FB. I would not stand for a bunch of far left partisans trying to monopolize the Constitution either, certainly not to complain about things that have absolutely nothing to do with it. I mean, OK, sure, the debt and deficit crisis are serious, and there are valid arguments from and criticisms of both sides. But what does the Constitution say on the subject?
All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills. -Article I, Section 7, Clause 1
The Congress shall have power
To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes...;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures...;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy...;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress...;
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. -Article I, Section 8
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void. -Amendment XIV, Section 4
The Congress shall have power
To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes...;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures...;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy...;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress...;
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. -Article I, Section 8
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void. -Amendment XIV, Section 4
That is pretty much the whole of what the Constitution says regarding the debt, deficit or anything connected with them. I fail to see how any of it "constitutes" justification for demanding Obama, Congress or anyone cut all spending and taxes. I did not even get into the recurring debate over the healthcare law (which is too bad, because the Second Militia Act of 1792 creating a federal public mandate endorsed by President Washington, VP Adams and Secy. of State Jefferson (AKA the respective founders of American independents, conservatives and liberals) is fast becoming the favorite argument for it, but Article I, Section 8 legitimizes that without legitimizing the healthcare mandate.)