When asked by CNSNews.com what specific part of the Constitution authorizes Congress to mandate that individuals must purchase health insurance, Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) pointed to the part of the Constitution that he says authorizes the federal government “to provide for the health, welfare and the defense of the country.” In fact, the word “health” appears nowhere in the Constitution.
“Well, that’s under certainly the laws of the–protect the health, welfare of the country,” said Burris. “That’s under the Constitution. We’re not even dealing with any constitutionality here. Should we move in that direction? What does the Constitution say? To provide for the health, welfare and the defense of the country.”James O’Connor, Burris’s communications director, later told CNSNews.com that although the word “health” does not appear anywhere in the Constitution, the senator was referring to the Preamble of the Constitution which says the following:
“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/56629
Contrary to Burris’ assertion, we are dealing with Constitutionality here. Forcing citizens to knuckle under government-controlled healthcare, is nowhere in the Constitution.
You have to wonder about a United States Senator who confuses the Preamble with the Constitution itself. Burris isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Related post: http://sfcmac.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/what-constitution-part-ii/