Also, the 14th Amendment AMENDS the Constitution, hence why it is called an amendment. Madison’s intent no longer matters if the 14th Amendment redefines natural born citizen.

Right. However, I don’t see how the fact that the White House would be doing something “in-house” would lessen the amount of congressional oversight. For every executive branch function, the Congress appropriates the funds, some of which are appropriated with conditions (only certain projects, etc.) and some of which are appropriated without conditions (general operating budget, acting pursuant to other laws and regulations, etc.). The fact that the census bureau may not report to the commerce secretary doesn’t lessen Congress’ power of oversight; they still control the pursestrings of and the legislative authority for the census’ bureau’s operations.

It would be great if someone took the time to find what obligates anyone to share anything more than the fact that they exist in such-and-such a County in such-and-such a State.

That is truly all that the census requires, in my view.

While I do provide my address, I don’t answer any of the other questions, because it’s none of the government’s business. If they were to show me where something stipulates that it is, I would begin the process of contacting my federal representatives to have the law changed.

Thanks for the comment,

-Phil

I refuse to answer any census questions beyond the one that seeks to know how many people live at my address. 9 years ago, I did this, and came home from work to find a census worker in my front yard. My wife refused to talk with him, so he sat in his car and waited for hours for me to come home. He told me I had failed to answer some questions on the (short form) census, assuming it was an oversight. I told him I had answered all I would. He told me I could be fined and then he asked if I would at least fill in my address! He was at my house! He came back the next 2 days. On the 3rd day, I told him to get off and stay off my property.

I’m not sure which part of the sentence you don’t understand. Each federal department (unfortunately, in my view) encompasses delegated power/authority from all three branches (basically) of the federal government. For example, the IRS has the power/authority to execute the tax code, judge who is and isn’t going against said code, and legislate protocols of execution, based on the parameters its been given from Congress. Then, the Executive appoints the Treasury Secretary and Congress oversees the Department.

-Phil

Eh? I confess that I don’t understand this sentence at all.

Besides, I’m not aware of any function relating to the day-to-day functioning of government which is run by the legislative branch. It’s trite, but the old expression “the legislature makes the law, the executive enforces the law” is reasonably accurate.

The Dems are trying to use this stimulus money to create jobs that will make people vote Democratic forever if they want to keep their job. This Stimulus bill will take away the two party system and there will be no reversing it.

We need to demand that our representatives do not pass this or anything like it.

This is why Obama wanted to pass it so soon and so fast. He didn’t want people to figure this out. He hoped it would be too long for people to read and sort through. The real programs he has hidden will guarantee him voters in 2012.

This country will be doomed if there is only one party.

Like Hilary, Obama doesn’t trust him to do what he wants to do, so he is going to bypass him.

He is out of the Senate, replaced by a “Republican” and has reduced power in the Cabinet. (See last post)

I expect we will soon have a new “constitution” in fact whether the Constitution is formally changed or not. One of Odinga’s first acts in Kenya was to promise a new constitution soon.

I wonder what the billion allocated for the Census will be used for? Isn’t the Census usually included in the budget?

This Stimulus Bill is quite frightening. Why ask for so much so early if you are not hiding something in it, or you don’t think that anyone will give it to you later? And the stuff about no white guys to be hired and paid volunteers. Something really stinks.

Watch who is appointed under the Cabinet Secretaries. The Cabinet could become a show place with all of the power exercised below. I hope that the Secretaries will watch for this.