The Herald Bulletin

November 5, 2009

Letter: Neither party is blameless

Those who blame Bush should blame Obama, too


I’ve been listening to a lot of people talking against politicians passing blame from one or the other. Neither party is perfect nor blameless. President Bush did suspend the writ of habeas corpus, but was it unconstitutional? Article l, section 9 states: “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion of the public safety may require it.” So, if public safety is at risk, it can be suspended. On the wiretapping, the Fourth Amendment states “The right of the people to be secure, in their person, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things being seized.”

If you are going to blame President Bush for the wiretapping then you need to also blame President Obama, because he is not only defending the Bush program, he has broadened the government’s legal argument for it. As for the people in the “tea parties,” a lot of people keep saying they are Republicans. They are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, moms, dads, college students, seniors, black, white, Hispanic, etc. All Americans are tired of big government and the unconstitutional spending.

Article 1 section 8: “The Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excise, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States, but all duties,imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.” To establish a uniform rule of naturalization and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States.” Not to choose who gets a bailout and/or bonuses.

Sarah Heffelmire

Anderson