First of all, on the torture issue, I was just telling you why it would be hard to get a conviction against Bush. I wasn't actually saying Bush isn't responsible for anything. Nuanced thinking just goes over your head, I guess.

On the financial mess, again, I didn't say nobody should be held accountable. I hold Wall Street accountable for a lot. I'm just adding in the fact that the subprimes, combined with the bundling and securitizing of loans (Fannie/Freddie), combined with the pressuring and fining of banks who didn't play ball by making irresponsible loans, WAS IMPLEMENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. There's nothing ridiculous about it (and I experienced it firsthand working in the banking industry). I don't know why you feel the need to keep denying it. It's odd.

Is there some way Medicare isn't a monopoly ? Who competes against Medicare ? Nobody.

I'm not sure that technology hasn't been the engine that has driven the American economy historically. Yes, there is a place for those who make and market the stuff technology comes up with….but what do you have without technology? Old stuff.

So Medicare is a monopoly now? Federal highways? A monopoly. National parks? Monopolies.

Only a partial truth there, Rev. Government created the housing bubble by intentionally manipulating the market to get more people into homes. Wall Street and the bankers ran with the hand they were dealt by the government.

Not to mention that private enterprise in a free market is what made America the wealthiest country in the history of the world in the first place. Throwing the baby out with the bathwater isn't going to remedy anything.

And please don't use the word "monopolistic" to describe private enterprise when you are advocating for an actual monopoly (single-payer). That's just silly.

Now here's the rub…..those who believe that government should stay out of these arenas, also believe private enterprise should be the ones to deal in those same arenas.

From private banksters, to big AIG insurers, to Big Stock Market, ……to Big Pharma and Big Health Insurers…..what we've been witnessing from the private sector has been nothing short of monopolistic criminal behavior. Private enterprise has led us directly into the severe recession we're experiencing.

When the American people are being held hostage to huge monopolistic private enterprises, enterprises structured and operated only to enrich a handful of already fat cats…..then government must step in to guarantee that the general welfare of the people is protected.

Exactly right. And isn't it frightening to anyone on the left, right or center that this never even enters into the discussion anymore. When the country gets a hang nail, we just assume that the Federal Government will act. Most of the time if they did nothing we would be better off.

If the "general welfare" part of the Constitution were intended as a broad principle, it would negate the rest of the Constitution, because it would allow the government to do virtually anything and claim it was for the general welfare of the people. That's why James Madison said the following:

"With respect to the two words 'general welfare,' I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators."

There is no Constitutional authority for the government to run health care.

It's telling that the Reverend is only against the GOP proposals mentioned, even when they would make health care more affordable for people and lower the costs.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32464936/ns/politics-white_house/