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Commentator’s Corner

The resurrection of Obamacare was of course a disaster. What is so much worse is that the basic rule of American constitutional law has now been trashed. The last minute approval by Supreme Court Justice John Roberts was a shocker to us all. Now we know that the path of destruction on the road to perdition has been cast in cement. Unless the president is voted out this fall, and a complete Republican congress is elected to renounce and eradicate Obamacare and other newer congressional bills and Executive Order Abominations, America becomes a lawless banana republic. Nations are built on thrift, order, rule of good laws and opportunity. These things are vanishing before our very eyes. Never in our wildest imagination would we have expected this evil.

If you are wondering as to how this can happen, look at the fascist history of Nazi Germany in the 1930s. This is the old frog in the boiling pot story. It happens gradually until there is no escape. We are hearing an escalation of stories from people all over the United States suggesting they are opting to leave this nation for good. We think this is the wrong approach. One of our good friends of many years told us, “I will stay and fight for America. Let those who would destroy her leave or, we will produce a permanent exit for them.”

What many do not realize is that Hitler, with his plans for a dictatorship, was actually good for an economically broken Germany in the aftermath of WWI and the hyperinflation of the early 1920s. He appealed to the folks in the street by righting the ship of state, building the German national expressways and providing work and food for a smashed populace. That was the golden beginning but sadly, was also a prelude for an ugly ending.  His evil ran deeper than most can imagine. The “Crowd Effect” (something written about in many books on social mores and psychology) takes on a power far beyond what a thinking, responsible individual would do on their own as to anti-social behavior.

Early news in 1930s Germany includes Nazis deliberately setting one culture against another. They were also busy working international backroom deals with other nations and then stabbing them in the back as turncoats. Further, the speaking skills and superb oratory of Hitler mesmerized folks in the street giving them a new mental strength and purpose to keep going under very bad conditions. And, very importantly, censorship and book burning was commonly used for mind control. Does this sound like a political campaign we saw in 2008 in America and what has transpired since?

We are not suggesting Obama is another Hitler, but their likeness is stunning.  Look at how he is imposing social programs and bureaucratic takings far outside of his congressional approval. Further, much of his stuff is put into the hands of his 37 czars and czarinas, giving them carte blanche to run free and saturate Americans in socialism. Nanny State rules and laws (not approved by the people or their representatives) can wreak havoc. Centralized powers in the hands of a few psychopaths will create a lot of danger and damage.

To us, this just replicates the Politburo in Russia or, the side-men, those government henchmen so glaringly obvious in places all over the Middle East, in China and in North Korea. Why, we have a perfect example just 90 miles from Miami in Cuba. Our obvious question is why hasn’t the USA just entered Cuba and freed their people from oppression? The US Marines could do it on a weekend and have lunch in the Cuban palace on Monday. The answer is it is not politically expedient for the US despite the fact we have been busy with more expansive, aggressive activities in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Pakistan.

Based upon the events leading up to the health care announcement, Justice Roberts was the last jurist most would expect to vote the way he did. We are getting questions such as: Was he ill and did his epilepsy medication affect his vote? Or, worse yet: Was he bribed or threatened to vote for Obamacare? Obviously, we do not have a clue on these factors but the very unusual situation that prevailed just before the news announcement on Thursday morning makes one wonder. There are lots of folks left with a very sour taste left in their collective mouths. If you think this one goes away quietly, you do not know the American people.

On the other hand, we have seen an analysis suggesting Justice Roberts voted as he did to toss the mess back into the laps of politicians, avoiding an open clash with the court. Maybe, if it was his idea of a way to have Obamacare repudiated by the congress later on (after November), we would suggest he should not sit on that bench as a judge. Those judges are supposed to stick to the rule of law and not play politics. To say that we and others are very disappointed is an understatement.

This on-going saga, this huge mess, has created a major investment road block for companies desiring to expand and hire new employees. The air of indecision weighs heavily on traders, investors, corporations and others involved in national and international commerce. The current path of indecision (cloaked in the smothering effects of Obamacare) suggests a curtailment of employee’s jobs and renews ideas for international companies to move domestic US operations overseas to safer political and tax havens. We know of few countries offering a better situation, but those having current foreign operations are in the best position to move work and employees out of harm’s way with some speed.

We know of one mammoth world class employer planning to leave Illinois to escape their onerous taxes and state legislation designed to tax, spend and ruin thrift.  Illinois is no longer a company-friendly state. They are broke and scrambling for anything they can tax. Like California, Michigan (previously) and some other higher tax states, few would deliberately move to Illinois. Quite frankly, we were very surprised by the Boeing Airplane Company moving their headquarters from Washington to Chicago, Illinois. Texas offers more and they are a larger draw for employers.

Now that Stockton, California is filing chapter nine bankruptcy, this will provide a shining example of Nanny State results. Governor Moonbeam out there has no clue for a resolution of the state’s credit problems. State and local employee benefits, salaries and other perks, long ago far exceeded California’s ability to tax and cover their bills. Watch Stockton (as a bigger city of 300,000) sink into wretched oblivion, just like Detroit, Highland Park and Flint, Michigan.

The bankruptcy saga of Jefferson County, Alabama, one of the nation’s larger excursions into bankruptcy and misappropriation of funds, continues as two global banks in New York are called on the felony carpet for screwing-up and stealing funds related to a major bond offering. And so it goes, on and on.

Top notch bank analyst, Meredith Whitney, did publicly forecast these failures in municipalities. We did too, and even before Mrs. Whitney had the nerve to say so. They laughed at her and spoofed her predictions. You don’t hear them laughing now. We are a fan of Mrs. Whitney and applaud her statements and forecasts.  She is tops and quite frankly scares the Old Boy Banker network. We say, you go girl, and keep on with the truth.

Big Boy Banks in New York Hold Nearly $300 Trillion in Derivatives.

In our newsletter Trader Tracks we have reported numerous times that these bankers shoveled their trading messes that occurred from 2003-2008 into banker back rooms. This paper is pure valueless junk and they know it. With the TARP capital replenishment by Treasury Secretary Paulson, those banks came back from the dead, but could not dump all that crappy paper.

Like the crazy aunt hiding in your closet, this stuff is still a witches’ brew of festering toxicity waiting to explode and ruin the entire credit world as we know it. Oh, what to do? For now, it stays hidden in back rooms as the banks run two sets of books. If others did this, not having such high authoritarian approval to do so, they would be headed for the Cross Bars Hotel. However, they are them and we is us. We have two sets of rules in American finance: one for criminal banker bozos and the other for the hard-working taxpayers, who must support them and are ripped-off by them. We hate to say it, but this is the stuff of revolutions.

Last week on KER Report Radio we predicted gold and silver would have some sharp and quick rallies. We said gold would likely rise $50.00 and last Friday (6-29-2012) it was up $50.20 with a trading range of $56.50. We also expected silver to rise about $.85 from $26.62 and as this report was written on Friday, July silver futures were $27.53 in after-hours trading, and the trading range was $1.65. Please note the daily trading limits for silver futures were $1.50 just a few years ago. Removal of that cap has enabled silver to enjoy more flexibility. The last price Friday afternoon at 12:14 PST was $27.53, just a nickel from our forecast.

Technical analysis is not perfect but it offers a much superior tool for trading in faster markets and even the slow ones over time. Our background in this business began in futures trading first, with stock work coming later. In the futures business, to have half a chance (unless you have a very large account) futures traders live and breathe using charts and technical stuff. As it’s applied to most all markets we follow, it seems to work well most of the time. The tricky part is to use the artistic evaluation in conjunction with pure math. The better outcome is found with practice and experience. Politics can throw a wrench into prices as it did Thursday but prices will normally go where they want to even if derailed for a short period.

Top traders I know use fundamentals first followed by a combination of technical work and apply some artistic ideas. These guys tell me often that women are very good traders and are finding growing employment chances in this industry.  One sharp observer told me the ladies are more prone to hold a trade a little longer, squeezing out extra gains. Lots of the guys are too jumpy and anxious to move too quickly on some trades, either on the entry or exit.

Most of our readers on these essays and in our Trader Tracks Newsletter are primarily stock traders and investors. At this juncture they are wondering and worrying as to when markets will return to new rallies, pulling-up their beaten down stock positions. The precious metals stocks (the best of the best) will begin to react almost immediately when gold and silver begin new rallies. However, most of them usually take 2-4 weeks longer in a precious metals reaction before any substantial movement.

Follow monthly charts first and discover the best time of year for your favorite markets. Then, work backwards using weekly charts followed by dailies. For the most part, we have learned that swing trading (a few days to a few weeks) is easier to manage for us. However, some traders enjoy the scalping game doing 150 trades each day, finishing the session and going flat overnight. Find what suits you best and above all, control risk first. The balance will often take care of itself.

–Traderrog


Roger Wiegand is the writer and editor of Trader Tracks Newsletter for gold, silver and energy traders. Roger provides recommendations for short and longer term traditional stock shares, futures and commodities trading with specifics for individual trades. See www.webeatthestreet.com for more information. Listen to TraderRog reports and editorials on the Daily Market Close on the Korelin Economics Report website www.kereport.com.

Contact Claudio Bassi at Trader Tracks in our New York City publishing offices for an introductory 30-day trial subscription for only US $49.00.  Call us at (718) 457-1426 Monday through Friday, 9am to 4:30pm (EST) for details. You can also email our office manager Claudio Bassi at cbassi@miningstocks.com for more information.

Stay tuned for more of Traderrog’s insights and predictions via his exciting new daily audio subscription. Coming soon! Details at www.wavelengthpublishing.com

Discussion
39 Comments
    Jul 03, 2012 03:26 AM

    Trader Rog,

    I was going to write something that I thought was reasonable, thoughtful and a subject matter worthy of a cognitive understanding of reality, not a fairytale, but in my heart of hearts I knew it would be futile.

    You and big Al respectively want so powerfully, so admirably to hold on to a broken defunct paradigm of false ideology and profound political indoctrination to the very end, no matter what the precept of logic presents to you.

    How many times do you guys need to get kicked in the teeth, lied to, scammed, subverted, misrepresented, disregarded, used, exploited and thought of as nothing more than a international taxing unit (slave) at the hands of your national (oligarchical) political bodies before you admit and come to gripes that there is no chance, nada, zilch, zero chance that the Republican’s and Democrat’s political apparatus will ever fulfill the nations constitutional mandates or become a true representative body as dictated by the founding fathers.

    The road ahead to greater freedom, understanding, wisdom and liberty will never be derived or realized within the current compromised defunct political architecture.

    So in reality, I can can only assume that you and those continuing to validate this childish bankrupt red and blue compromised political construct are nothing more that naive, willful gatekeepers, or firewalls to true and meaningful change that must take place.

    At this point in the game that encompasses decades of documented proof there can be no other conclusion that I can come up with.

    V

    Jul 03, 2012 03:41 AM

    Luckily, in the end, there is always the choice of civil disobedience. I wonder how many it will take to revolt (and face the consequences) in order to change the system. Ten thousand, one hundred thousand, more? How many people would the Government choose to imprison? Certainly the founding fathers were worried about this, but had the advantage that the then government was 3,000 miles away. Today, it is all around us, keeping tabs on everything and building internment camps!

    Jul 03, 2012 03:49 AM

    Remember Gentlemen,

    It was only 3% of the population of the early colonies that fought the revolution for America. As much as I hate to say it, I do feel strongly that it needs to be said: NOTHING WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED VIA VOTING…it’s all propaganda. We will have to rise up, maybe not with excessive force, but with enough force to show we mean business. But alas, we know how this too will end.

    Sorry. I’m not drinking the “let’s all be friends” kool-aid anymore. It’s time to stand and actually get angry.

    Jul 03, 2012 03:35 AM

    I recently watched “Network” again.
    Here are the best 5 minutes:

    Network – “I’m as mad as hell” speech
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_qgVn-Op7Q

    And now that it’s a beautiful summer day, not too hot because we have a cloud cover, I’m off for a day of hiking in Dinosaur Valley.

    Jul 03, 2012 03:07 AM

    I cannot agree that “the basic rule of American constitutional law has not been trashed.” My view, that of a level-headed woman and a reasonably good lawyer, is that Justice Roberts’ opinion was a stroke of far-thinking conservative genius that showed a profound, mature respect for how the Constitution designed our democracy. That the result was to uphold an unpopular law is fully consistent with the Framers’ view that it is not the role of unelected judges to make law; it’s up to elected representatives. Some of the dissenters are far more activist in their views. I believe that a judge who would impose his or her socially and economically conservative views on the populace as a judicial activist is just as dangerous as a liberal activist judge. Traderrog, tell me you’ve read the opinion, rather than listened to the views only of those with whom you are already inclined to agree. Lots of angry guys on this site. Have your fun, fellas. Not helpful to me as an investor — bowing out now.

      Jul 03, 2012 03:03 AM

      I could not agree more with this elegant and thoughtful statement by Lynn Brown. It demonstrates the same patriotism, vision, judicial restraint and character shown by Chief Justice Roberts. I came to this site years ago as an investor to make money in a sector for which I have strong conviction. The site has been good to me in terms of investing but from a purely technical point, I find the discussion of these geopolitical events mostly irrelevant to the resource sector. I also find these discussions to be highly emotional, factually inaccurate and poorly researched. The number one rule of investing is to not let your emotions or politics cloud your investment decisions. History has shown this cocktail to be a lethal mix. Perhaps the time has come to step back and take a look at how we invest. Like Lynn says, “Lots of angry guys on this site.” This is of no use to me. And it certainly does not cloud my investment strategy. Beautifully articulated Lynn.

        Jul 03, 2012 03:09 PM

        Jed – thank you. You are most kind and in turn I agree with your implicit suggestion that the case for precious metals investing, as for all financial decisions we individually make, should be regularly and dispassionately reevaluated. It is critical, I believe, to be constantly alert to one’s natural proclivity to be affected by “confirmation bias.” That is, we all tend to read, believe, and give disproportionate weight to information that confirms our preexisting views and to disregard or rationalize away that which contradicts what we believe. People with similar views — on anything — tend to reinforce each other and it takes particular vigilance to overcome the resulting unconscious biases. The association I have observed, not just on this site, between views of politics and current events that I do not share and perceive to be dogmatic, and enthusiasm for precious metals has troubled me. I wonder if I am missing something in my own conclusions about the metals. I ask myself whether I am succumbing to confirmation bias about precious metals investing even though I can’t agree with opinions associated with it, or is it possible for a free-thinking, pragmatic moderate to be intellectually honest and still invest in gold? Why or why not? I’m still thinking about that one, and do appreciate the generally civil discussion that has ensued.

          Jul 03, 2012 03:34 PM

          Lynn – The questions you so eloquently ask are the exact same questions I ask myself every day. It is a tough one but the answer is “Yes,” one can invest in the precious metals free of seemingly unrelated opinions often associated with their investment. I generally stay away from one-sided opinions and expose myself to varying points of view that create balance. But most importantly, I create my own tips. Jesse Livermore always said “Don’t take tips of any kind, no matter where they come from. Don’t worry about catching tops or bottoms, thats fools play.” For the longest time, I never understood that but now I know perfectly what he meant. You take in all the presentations and interviews. Then you create our own tips. Best Wishes – Jed

      Jul 03, 2012 03:26 AM

      Lynn,
      Interesting view on that decision. I urge you not to “bow out”. This is first and foremost a natural resource investment forum. I don’t think of these gentlemen as angry men. They are to a certain extent naturally inclined to follow certain precepts as “honest money’ investors – thus, honest and forthright government. We all have differing opinions on certain subjects. For instance, I didn’t blink when our President used his executive powers to “help” some very deserving immigrants.I am very pro-immigrant. The congress is impotent on this subject. So he acted. Right or wrong. The question for all of is: How far can he take his executive powers without infringing on the balance of the executive, legislative and judicial branches WITHOUT undermining the constitution? THAT is the question. It will be debated and fought over for the rest of this republic’s life. This country is basically a ‘beautiful” experiment. As we stand now, that experiment is smelling of a rotten core. This “experiment” is suffering, from among other things, shameless men and that are destroying the financial infrastructure and thus, raising the stakes on the decisions of the branches of government. Let’s all not be so naive as to NOT think if the banking institutions weren’t so blatantly corrupt, we would have a much greater, clearer foundation to air our differences. WE are under pressure. And pressure creates a much intenser divergent of views. The Lord help us all. Because as of today, 07/03/2012, a day before this GREAT countries’ birthday – WE CAN”T OR WE WON”T HELP OURSELVES -collectively.
      Marc

      Jul 03, 2012 03:54 AM

      If you think “intimidating” a supreme court justice such as has been accomplished with Roberts by the left media is far thinking genius then you are either foolish or a leftist. Roberts admitted having read the news regarding the decision and that is why he switched. This is the problem with judge advocates and it doesn’t matter if their on the left or right.

    Jul 03, 2012 03:08 AM

    typo in first line. should read “…has now been trashed.”

    Jul 03, 2012 03:46 AM

    Ms. Lynn Brown (or is it Mrs?)

    My gripe isn’t against Justice Roberts decision regarding the health care law. My complaint is against the open corruption we have been witnessing within our country’s government over the past two decades (if not more). But please! Don’t bow out! Perhaps your level-headed approach can open the eyes of some of the more angrier individuals on this blog.

    Also, since it is Big Al’s blog, he can post the topics he feels are important to him and express his own opinions. It’s not always about metals and energy investing, as you can tell.

    And on a further note, you forgot to include the “angry gals” who also opine on this site. Don’t bow out now!

      Jul 03, 2012 03:30 AM

      Very much, agreed….hear, hear Mark ….Lynn, please see my above post. You, Jody, Karen, etc are extremely intelligent ladies with a great talent to share your vast information and experiences that greatly enhance this blog.
      All the best,
      marc

        Jul 03, 2012 03:41 AM

        Yo Dude! How is sunny Cali?
        Staying frosty I hope?

          Jul 03, 2012 03:43 PM

          Great.
          Happy 4th. Mark
          Yes, stayin frosty.
          Marc

        Jul 03, 2012 03:15 PM

        Thanks Marc for the compliment.
        Lynn, I enjoy your posts and certainly hope you keep contributing! It is necessary to hear all opinions and do our own soul searching for what we believe to be correct.
        I am thankful that we don’t ALL think alike, and we are fortunate to come from many different venues of life/experiences. I gain knowledge from all the wonderful members of this blog.
        Thanks to all of you, and have a Blessed July 4th! Stay safe!
        Jody D

    Jul 03, 2012 03:53 AM

    I think I probably got something from every comment above, though it may sound contradictory.

    Vortex, do you feel Al and Rog are “stuck in the system” because, through deserved derision of Obama, they otherwise might prefer the GOP? I think they’re both Ron Paul’ers. Not sure what you see in their views that displeases you.

    I’d prefer if Lynn doesn’t go away either. Political discussion is necessitated when talking about investments, as politics is the struggle for resources and the laws that best benefit the self. I’m sure Lynn knows that. Yet I agree that we can go over the top in beating a dead horse, and then continue flogging. That’s one reason I wrote a rant a couple of weeks ago about 1 way to get out of this mess. I know it will probably never happen, but constructive ideas are sometimes lacking here.

    In other news, gold is $1,624. Who would’ve thunk it? Trader Rog did!

      Jul 03, 2012 03:12 PM

      Hi John, great questions, and great to converse with you,

      I guess my concerns are that two very smart and highly logical individuals can be so well versed, well rounded, and professionally grounded on so many levels of interest in an eclectic world of never ending changes, but appear to be stuck in quicksand when push comes to shove as it related to a completely disfunctional political governing body that is corrupt to the core, but expected legislate with honor.

      I have for the most part succumbed to the proposition that if our two great host’s in Al and Rog are held so captive to a disfunctional broken political faction (Dem’s-Repub’s) that has thrown them and all of us overboard decades ago I guess I should temper my enthusiasm a bit because it’s not really worth worry about much anymore. The reality of the situation is that the 300 + Million other American’s out there in the nation are light years behind this group here in understanding and critical thinking.

      John, sometimes I may protest too much. My razor-sharp diatribes should be a little more forgiving because my participation here is truly born out of great respect for Al, Rog and all of you here.

      The eclectic flavor of nationalities and personalities here make us all better as the discussions can be openly debated without recourse, obfuscation or censorship.

      I know I didn’t answer all your questions but for the sake of brevity I’ll end it there.

      respectfully

      V

    Jul 03, 2012 03:03 AM

    My two cents worth….or 50 cent rant….

    Mrs. or Ms. Brown…you do not have to leave….or bow out….IF YOU ARE
    AN ATTORNEY…you should contribute to the thoughts on the constitution and bill of rights….(contributing education of law for contribution of investment advice)
    And if you do not like this part of the site….just do not read it …..just skip over it…
    But,,,if you just like taking and not contributing….I call that thieft….
    without contributing or participating …..but, then that seems to be the entitlement generation….
    One needs to give back sometimes, in order to receive…., give freely as you have been freely given…..
    OOTB…..

      Jul 03, 2012 03:32 AM

      Hey, Jerry…
      Not bad….not bad at all!!:)

        Jul 03, 2012 03:35 PM

        Hello LYNN…….I also would ask you to stay. We all of us come here to feed on info, & as you & the rest of us know, we need a balanced diet………yes we might get offered something crappy to eat , but we have the FREEDOM , here to object to it & complain , that way we leave the table happy. stay girl stay.

          Jul 03, 2012 03:22 PM

          Well IRISH…I see you have gained your strength back, after a long “jubilee party”
          by the way,,,how was the queen….You really need to talk to her about those
          feathered hats…..I thought that we decided , only, You could wear a green outfit….
          OOTB

            Jul 03, 2012 03:48 PM

            HI JERRY…I got the hump with the old girl , because i was not invited on to the royal barge, for the trip down the Thames………( think of all the posh totty, & fine booze i missed out on )……..So as a protest, i spent the weekend in the cellar of my local boozer , quaffing pints of Guinness…eating cheessey buiscuits & crisps…while listening to dire straights & rebel songs…(i had some great conversations with the spiders , they are not that dumb , they gave me the solution to the problems in Europe, but i forgot them when i sobbered up…aw well it wont be long before the American Olympics start up in london, another waste of public money , from a bust country………….Just had an email from Buck House, turns out it was the green suit that , She objected to ……….Thanks pal, thats the last time i will take your advice.

            Jul 03, 2012 03:21 PM

            AL wants to know , if you have started on the potato wine, yet.
            Seems they have ban him from Simi Valley….and is looking for another
            virital………

        Jul 03, 2012 03:23 PM

        thanks Marc….I only hope it was well received….

          Jul 03, 2012 03:36 PM

          This is all pretty amusing to me, because I never posted here before today, though I have perused the site from time to time, having found it through kitco.com a while ago. TR’s diatribe on Chief Justice Roberts caught my eye and drove me to it, because I’ve been thinking and talking with colleagues a lot about the subject recently. I prefer not to sound off on anything when I don’t really know what I’m talking about, and would suggest that this approach is in fact a service that anyone, anywhere, might render to the blogosphere. I trust you didn’t really mean to suggest that, prior to posting here, my occasional reading of the blog was tantamount to a felony! 🙂

            Jul 03, 2012 03:43 PM

            HI LYNN……….nice to see you stayed.

            Jul 03, 2012 03:53 PM

            Uh oh, Lynn!

            You’re in trouble! We already called the Feds and reported you 😉
            I believe that we all WANT and DESIRE to hear other opinions, especially if they are truly based on facts and research from another angle. I for one, try to look at both sides of the precious metals investing because I have lost more money from the advice of gurus, who said to do one thing only to have the metals go the other.

            I hope that your research leads you to invest in the metals themselves as an insurance policy and not so much as a capital gain. And please, do post here from time to time, as we are all in this thing together and some of us need more level headed opinions than just overblown conspiracies.

            Jul 03, 2012 03:09 PM

            TANTAMOUNT….., ” tant amount” , that is what Irish says….when, showing the bartender the exact amount to be poured in his glass….

    Jul 03, 2012 03:41 PM

    HI JERRY…That stuff is a bit too rich for me, im sure AL would have the palate for it , if he was to flavour it , with a little fruit & spice. I will get the LEP. MICK the brewer to email a copy of the recipe to All , perhaps he can set up a still out in the sticks, & perhaps brew when it’s too wet to play golf…. so watch out folks the Big Fella will be inviting you all along to a shindig in about 3 months time…HIC

    Jul 03, 2012 03:43 PM

    Correction to the above — I actually first posted yesterday, on another thread, also on the subject of the Supreme Court decision.

      Jul 03, 2012 03:27 PM

      to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth…..

    Jul 03, 2012 03:12 PM

    “I believe that a judge who would impose his or her socially and economically conservative views on the populace as a judicial activist is just as dangerous as a liberal activist judge.”

    From the other comment, should we rightly conclude that you are a lawyer? If so, do you not expect the judges that you appear before to rightly define what is constitutionnal?

    I`ll tell you this. The commerce clause is supposed to favor “free trade” amongst the States. The burden of proof should be on the Federal government.

    And one other thing, constitutional agnostics should not be supreme court judges. The way you describe the “intents” of Roberts, that is exactly what he would be. I believe he is not. I do believe he is just another minion of the owners of this country.

    As far as your comment on angry men, well, you are welcome to join the metrosexuals if you like.

    Salt of the earth….

    Jul 03, 2012 03:13 PM

    WELCOME TO CANADA/BIENVENUE A CANADA

    Obamacare will be a disaster as is medicare here ( although it is good for the very young and the old; those in between have to tolerate waiting, waiting, waiting and living in pain )

    Jul 04, 2012 04:08 AM

    My last word on this matter (really) if anybody is still reading this thread. Please, please folks, consider celebrating our nation’s birthday by becoming a better-informed citizen. Read the Supreme Court’s opinion on Obamacare so you have firsthand knowledge of the facts, the findings, and the reasoning. The quality of discussion here and elsewhere would improve if people were debating based on firsthand information, rather than on often unreliable secondhand reports. The opinion is easily accessible on http://www.supremecourt.gov, via a link on the right. The case is “National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius.” It is an excellent reminder about what parts of the Constitution provide, as the Supreme Court has interpreted them for 200+ years. If nothing else, read the short syllabus that precedes the opinion and summarizes it. Read the dissents, too. There is no special skill needed to understand a Supreme Court opinion; the authors write clearly and lucidly. If you agree with the policy arguments in the dissents, remain mindful of CJ Roberts’ admonition that it is not the role of the Court to protect the citizenry from bad policy. Rather, its role is to determine what is and what is not Constitutionally permissible. That is a critical distinction. Think about whether you would really wish 9 unelected justices with life terms to be able any time in the future to overrule elected legislatures whenever they disagree with the laws the legislatures have passed. Yes, at this point in our national life, Congress is in a state of partisan paralysis and all are behaving exceedingly badly. I hope and believe it will not always be so; if not, there is little to celebrate today. Democracy can be wildly ugly; got a better idea?

      Jul 04, 2012 04:52 AM

      Well, I was here to read your latest Lynn. Good comment. Though I didn’t state it as you did, I’ve personally felt that’s exactly what Robert’s did. We cannot ask a supreme court justice to rule from the bench when it suits us, and protect the constitution when it doesn’t. The Senate Obamacare bill, of course, was never written with the intent it would actually become law, but there it is.

      Jul 04, 2012 04:53 PM

      Thank you for the information, your time and your insight. I think you have made a tremendous impact to those who read this site. It is greatly appreciated.

    Jul 05, 2012 05:16 AM

    Why are so many Americans against Obama and his attempt to get more healthcare to more ordinary people? America is one of the few countries in the world that currently has next to no public health service. Surely making healthcare available to more seniors, people with disabilities, low income people, is a good thing?
    The people against this proposal are just selfish individuals who see their success in life being defined by the size of their house or car. Life is about more than that people – wake up!

    Jul 19, 2012 19:50 AM

    Wow did I step in a nornets nest. I do not understand Vortex’s complaint at the top of the page since I agree with him. the system is broken and has been for years. the bankers have gone bad and the bond market is heading for a train wreck. No new president can fix this. The bonds have to smash and then we start over after the next world war. I am not a pessimist but a realist. our futures trading (mine and others) earned close to 100-200% inn5 out of 7 of the last few years. We have a good handle on the psychos running the world. The trick is to think like them to discover what they do next. Next, a Wag The Dog War in Iran and then a rigged American election. Next two years are hell on wheels in this old world but I am an optimist to think the good old USA survives after taking a real beating- Traderrog