Grandfathering the First Amendment
The House Government Reform and Oversight committee held a hearing this past week on the threat posed to the First Amendment by the latest regulations of Obamacare. Since the president of my church body, Rev'd Matthew Harrison, was testifying, I was particularly eager to attend the hearing. (Mollie Hemingway has written about the proceedings on Ricochet here.)
During questioning, Harrison summarized this entire issue in one brilliant line. He first noted that the narrow provisions of Obamacare prevent his church from modifying its existing health insurance plan (which covers pastors, teachers, and other church employees), or face losing the "grandfathered" exemption. Under the latest HHS diktat, this would force the church to provide abortion-inducing drugs, against church doctrine. Harrison then thundered, "You cannot grandfather or accommodate the First Amendment!"
That, it would appear, is the Obama administration's goal, first with Hosanna-Tabor, now in mandating churches pay for contraceptives and abortifacients: dismantling brick by brick the "wall of separation." The First Amendment is here grandfathered, there accommodated, but steadily we are losing our liberty. This is something every American should be profoundly troubled by, irrespective of one's religious convictions.
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Comments:
Jun '11
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
This is the exemption president. Just until all us frogs are slowly boiled out of all our liberty.
Congrats to Rev. Harrison for being able to clearly speak the truth under the microscope.
The collectivist bureaucrats smell blood in the water. The fact that free contraception is available to everyone already is not good enough because its not available everywhere. After a very nice three year run at transforming America, its time to follow through aggressively and squash the opposition.
Sep '10
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
I hope "You cannot grandfather the First Amendment" becomes part of the presidential campaign.
Edited on February 17, 2012 at 3:38amFeb '12
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
I agree. The current political dialogue is in dangerous waters. The entire discussion seems to concede that the President, by himself and by his own decision, can direct religious and insurance organizations. How else can one explain the analysis of whether the "accommodation" goes far enough? The real issue is he does not have that power. Indeed, the entire government does not have that power.
Texas Rancher
Dec '10
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
Christopher,
Washington crossed the Delaware on December 25, 1776 and attacked the Hessians at Trenton. The army was at an extreme lowpoint. Freezing cold with little food, many were dying and others were deserting. Instead of giving up Washington decided to attack!
Only a week before Tom Paine had published "Common Sense". With these opening words.
"These are the times that try men's souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
I'm no Paine but take a quick look at my post. "Let's Pick The Flag Up Out Of The Mud And Attack!". Gd has given us the tools to do the job. We just need the resolve.
Regards.
Jim
Jun '11
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
James Gawron: Christopher,
I'm no Paine but take a quick look at my post. "Let's Pick The Flag Up Out Of The Mud And Attack!". Gd has given us the tools to do the job. We just need the resolve.
Regards.
Jim · 7 minutes ago
I like your analysis, Jim. Thanks for pointing out your post to me - I had missed it when it was first published.
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
I loved that line, too. I also liked his bit about only having room for God in our conscience. How the bed is to narrow, the blanket too short, to share with the federal government. I hadn't realized it was a reference to Isaiah.
Dec '10
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
Mollie and Christopher,
I just got a chance to listen to Rev Harrison. You will excuse me for saying something completely personal. He reminds me of a gentleman who was my first employer. Kurt was Lutheran. He stood 6'5" and had been the captain of a destroyer in WWII. When he raised his voice just a little the secretaries would run for cover. Everyone seemed to be very afraid of him.
Except for me. There was something about him. He was concerned for everyone and the mission of the company. He was the only employer I have ever had who would walk over to you and look you in the eye, "Are you sick?". Through the sneezing and watery eyes you'd say, "Yes". He'd say, "Get out of here and don't come back until you are well."
Evil after all is just Evil. Then again the Good really is Good. Thanks Gd.
Regards,
Jim
Edited on February 20, 2012 at 12:03amNov '10
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
The disturbing thing is that my Facebook feed is full of complaints about this hearing. Why? Because--wait for it--no women testified.
I could not have even thought of this as a possibility. Which leads me to ask how our country can even go forward, when different people have such entirely, completely unconnected views of the world.
Jan '12
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
I ask myself this all the time as well. Everyone I work with is liberal--some extremely so--and I often have a hard time finding any common ground. How can we change hearts and minds when we're starting from a completely different place?
Jun '11
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
James,
The crazy thing is, while Harrison is physically imposing and a dynamic leader, this s a side of him that we haven't seen before. Some of our clergy have even questioned why he hasn't brought this sort of fiery attitude to bear on the less orthodox in our church. The reason is that while he is steadfast in his theological convictions and knows exactly what ought to be done, he has chosen to lead gently, as a loving pastor.
Thus I was utterly taken aback by his take-no-prisoners approach. He is angry. This might blow over in the press in days, but the churches are not going to let this go. Connolly may consider this a sham, but Harrison's anger was deep and real.
Edited on February 20, 2012 at 2:27amJun '11
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
Lucy Pevensie: The disturbing thing is that my Facebook feed is full of complaints about this hearing. Why? Because--wait for it--no women testified.
I could not have even thought of this as a possibility. Which leads me to ask how our country can even go forward, when different people have such entirely, completely unconnected views of the world. · 2 hours ago
Lucy,
This article by a friend of mine, "Where the Women Were During the House Contraception Mandate Hearing," would not be suitable to link directly to your friends on Facebook, but some of the arguments might be useful as you try to persuade them. You are right, it seems an impossible task sometimes.
Dec '10
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
Christopher Esget: James,
The crazy thing is, while Harrison is physically imposing and a dynamic leader, this s a side of him that we haven't seen before. Some of our clergy have even questioned why he hasn't brought this sort of fiery attitude to bear on the less orthodox in our church. The reason is that while he is steadfast in his theological convictions and knows exactly what ought to be done, he has chosen to lead gently, as a loving pastor.
Thus I was utterly taken aback by his take-no-prisoners approach. He isangry. This might blow over in the press in days, but the churches are not going to let this go. Connolly may consider this a sham, but Harrison's anger was deep and real..
Chris,
Damn it. When there is something to be really angry about, it's OK to be ANGRY! Nothing makes me respect the Rev more than the fact that he knows the right path for this society and is very angry that it's present incarnation in Washington D.C. is failing us so deeply.
Three Cheers for The Rev and the Red, White, and Blue,
Jim
Nov '11
Re: Grandfathering the First Amendment
Lucy Pevensie: The disturbing thing is that my Facebook feed is full of complaints about this hearing. Why? Because--wait for it--no women testified.
I could not have even thought of this as a possibility. Which leads me to ask how our country can even go forward, when different people have such entirely, completely unconnected views of the world. · 3 hours ago
I saw this on Facebook, too. The Left's control of the educational system has left many people unable to think about issues outside of some narrow area of specialization. Thus, many intelligent individuals are reduced to groupthink regarding political matters. The bubble they inhabit seems impenetrable to me.