This appears to be Congressional grandstanding, because the bill to tax these bonuses after-the-fact has the appearance of being an attempt to pass an ex post facto law. In non-legalese, the Constitution nullifies any law which makes an act illegal on a retroactive basis.

The tax-them-until-it-hurts bill offers the appearance of righteous indignation and Congress being on the side of the general public. However, it may be a waste of a lot of money on legislation which may be a toss-in -the-can when it is challenged in any federal district court.

Steve, I fully agree that is grandstanding and any such tax will hopefully be tossed out by the courts as being done after the fact. However, the precedent of singling out a specific target group for excessive/punitive taxes will have been set. Congress will be able to do it for any group so long as it is not done after-the-fact. I found it disturbing when asked about this by Jay Leno, President Obama went into the soft shoe routine rather than answer the question.

Where do we sign up at? I mean it seems the only way to settle this mess is to do something about it. Years back we did when the "Motherland" treated our forefathers like that.. I served my time in a country that had nothing to do with me. Bout time to step in and serve my time for a good reason. Now what color uniforms can we get and instead of horses, I say we all ride Hummers and Big 4x4's with .50 Cal on top.

I know kind of far fetched. But seems that will be the only way to make the Gov understand!!!! We need a plan. Lets have a Pint or 5 and discuss this at the 18th hole..

:beer3:

For as long as the USA has been in existence, the Legislative Branch has passed (and the then-current Executive Branch has signed) legislation which the Judicial Branch has tossed (once challenged in court) for being unconstitutional. That's the beauty of the trident approach to government - unless all prongs agree, no one can get stabbed.

In this "bonus" matter, it would appear that Article 1, Section 9, third sentence (No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.) applies.

As far as targeting specific groups for what may be called abusive action, challenges are always before courts by plaintiffs claiming negative selective action which violates various civil rights laws, or that the application of any law created a "suspect class" against which selective action was levied.

In short, Congress can trumpet all it wants, and the press will grandstand with them, as sensationalism sells commercial time on the air. In the end, the quiet of the courtroom (or threat of it) brings the merry-go-round back to the starting point.

The trick is to go back to the voting record on any dumb or suspect legislation. If the congressperson voted for it, they either have no knowledge of constitutional law (which questions their capacity to enact legislation) or have training/skill in constitutional law, but have decided to ignore what they know in favor of mugging for the camera.

Again, who are you voting for in 2010, and why?

A few weeks ago Glenn Beck had a program on that predicted this is exactly what is going to happen... the trigger will be rampant out of control inflation (due to the fed flooding us with worthless dollars) paired with anarchy in Mexico that spills over into the US.... here comes Mad Max.

I hope Mad Max has the Interceptor with him. We all talk about what is wrong, but we need to make it happen. Steve Z asked who you voting for 2012? The question is Will Him and VK and others on here run for that office. I have been paying attention to Dklassen's (spelling?) post. Make alot of sense. Something will have to happen or Boston Tea Party all over again. We can all sit and moan about it, or do something. Lets push for a no vote on all that are serving right now. If your in office at this time, it will be against the law for you to run again. Pack the bags, clean out the drawers, hide all the pay-offs you got for voting a certain way and get HIZZLE out of DC-IZZLE.
Yea I speak crazy, maybe alittle out in the left field bleachers. But as I said in an earlier post. Their is only one thing that makes sense right now to say and that is "THAT AINT RIGHT"!!!!!!!!!!!

I would rather be out in the left Field Bleachers instead of saying nothing.

I agree
 

I agree with all these fine posts. This administration is just making me sick to my stomach. I agree with previous posts that I thought it would take us years for Obama to screw this country up. He has done exactly that in what two months??:cus::cus::cus:

My fear all along was the election of Obama WITH THIS PARTICULAR CONGRESS was a mistake of grandiose proportion.

Those who advocate kicking these guys out in 2010 are right on, but the next two years just scare me to be frank. There is NO way to stop any of this stuff and we have not even gotten into the unions, the defense cuts, etc.

I have spoken to a few congressman over the years but never made a habit of writing to mine.....THIS is going to be the exception. I may be only one voice but it is all I can do at this moment !

And there is only....3 years and 10 months to go!!!!!!!
 

He is using, knowingly or not, what we used to call flash management. When there is no plan and you get off track you don't know where to go because you don't know where you are. When you throw 787 billion at a problem with no plan and no accountability how does one know what to expect when nothing happens?
When you have staff that are just as bad or worse than the entities or persons being corrected, how can there be a raising of the bar.

When there are no knowns, the knee jerk reaction to the current sounds in the air VS KNOWING where one is, the path to be taken....the roadmap....then they flash...do something...anything...what will make who happiest today...how are my ratings....then comes the flashing....much worse than knee jerk response. It is one step below panic.

How easily satisfied we the people are. A populist POTUS, trying to be cool, comfort the rich with a Congress that borders criminal performance...not intent...they are performing criminally.

But they do sound good in the process, eh?

So in the two months with all the consternation that has been generated....just what has come to pass for we the people? Nada, zip, niente.....at least until you get your $600 check:1rotfl:

Change promised.....change he has delivered...what has he delivered thus far....lubrication for the really, really rich to get richer....and these are the ones he does not intend to tax...they make too much!!!!

BTK:crap2:

another voice
 

Bucco:
I have to agree with you. I have voted for a Democrat in my district for the last 3 elections because I thought he was fair and on the up and up. I have found out that is is under investigation and also one of the biggest writers of these earmarks. I plan on meeting and talking to Pete Visclosky and hope many more of his constituents do the same. This must stop.
:agree::agree:

...so he has had at least 6 years in DC. Isn't there anyone else qualified in the district who isn't looking to make a 20 year (minimum) career 2-years-at-a-time?

An old counselor of mine many years ago once advised me, "If they will tell you the little lie, they will also not hesitate to tell you the big one. You just may not see it coming. Bottom line, liars lie for their benefit, not yours." Good advice!

I think Obama is moving so fast is because he knows he will probably be impeached and he wants to finish his agenda before that happens.

Been an Independent all my life and I agree with your comments regarding the election. One of the major reasons I would not vote for Obama was my fear of giving total control to a group of Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Franks just to name a few. Not to say there are not some suspect Republicans there but giving one group a majority hold spells danger in my book.

I am not much of a fan of polls but I have been watching them lately. I do not understand low 60's for Obama and low 50's for his policies. To me they should go hand in hand. The mid 20' for Congress is easy.