Chuck 'Head Up His' Grassley: 'Americans want and deserve the real original constitution'

[BurtWorm]

From Steve Benen and Political Animal:

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_09/025796.php


QUOTE OF THE DAY.... Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) tends to run into trouble when he addresses subjects he knows nothing about. Take the Constitution, for example.

Last week, for example, the conservative Iowan told a group of Republicans, "Americans want and Americans deserve the real original Constitution: A strong military, lower taxes, jobs through the private enterprise, border security, no apologizing for America. And most importantly, respect for life."

Ian Millhiser explained how truly ridiculous this is.

Grassley's call for a return to the "original Constitution" -- a term that normally refers to the Constitution before it was amended -- is downright terrifying if he actually means it. Slavery was permitted under the original Constitution; women and minorities were denied the right to vote; and basic human rights such as the freedom of speech or the right to choose your own faith were unprotected. Although, to be fair, it's much more likely that Grassley simply didn't understand what he was saying when he claimed that Americans deserve this "real original Constitution."

That's probably a safe assumption. Grassley has a tendency to simply make up whatever he thinks sounds good at the time -- remember the "sheer idiocy" he offered during the health care debate? -- which leads him to think the "real original Constitution" includes provisions that exist only in his imagination.

Oh, and did I mention that Grassley will likely be chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee if Republicans take back the Senate?

...

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Here is the scary part he is part of the dominionist movement

in that movement they mean the ORIGINAL document with one modification... first amendment goes... since we are a Christian nation, doncha know?

[pscot]

11. Cafeteria Patriots

[DFW]

2. Yeah, but only on those days when he's lucid enough to find the hearings room

But I don't see a Republican takeover of the Senate.

I don't even see a Republican takeover of the House, but maybe I'm just reading the wrong tea leaves.

[Kerrytravelers]

3. Raise your hand if you want to be 3/5 of a human being and women who don't want the right to vote.

*crickets*

*crickets*

Oh, look. There is one Phyllis Schlafly devotee in the back. We see you, sir. You can stop wildly waving your hand now. Sir. Someone get this man medical attention.


*people shuffling away*

[Renew Deal]

4. Make it 4/5ths and it's a deal!

:silly:

[Barack_America]

7. So, as a (white) pregnant woman am I 10/5 of a human being or 5/5 only if my fetus is a boy?

These fractions could get mighty complicated!

[Barack_America]

5. The scarier version is that he knew EXACTLY what he meant...and he's a fucking Senator.

:scared:

[napi21]

6. Isn't he gonna have to retire soon? nt

[Skidmore]

8. Our household just sent the following response to him:

"We would like to point out to you, Senator Grassley, that the United States has a constitution, a living document which works fine for its people. What IOWA doesn't have is a senator who WORKS for its people. Having counted the number of times you have sat like a mule rather than get in and help GOVERN this nation only makes us wish we were allowed the equal number of opportunities to vote "no" for you in this election. Instead, you will find two such votes from us and several of our neighbors. It is time for you to go and do the people of Iowa a great service at last."

[Tippy]

9. Do Republicas believe as you do?

I don't think so they have no love of country or of their fellow man. They are about as anti-American as one can get. The only thing they LOVE IS MONEY. They show absolutely no respect for our President and our government.

[laureloak]

10. Then he's opposed to personhood rights for corporations.

[bullwinkle428]

12. This bastard is campainging on the theme that helped seniors so much

with his vote for Medicare Part D, and how he's waging this fierce battle against drug companies in the effort to allow medications across the border from Canada!!

Thoroughly disgusted that lots of people here are falling for this garbage.

[spanone]

13. really chuck? so you would do away with all the amendments?