The Speaker is certainly correct that federal Congress has certainly legislated on "many aspects of American life." In fact, there is a lot more at stake with the Commerce Clause than "just" our health care — the entire authority for economic central planning rests on this single clause. I strongly disagree with Pelosi that the Constitution allows Congress broad power in this respect. First, the exact language from my job description in Powers of Congress, Article I, Section 8, Clause 3:
"The Congress shall have Power... to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes."
Pelosi believes that she has the power to "regulate Commerce... among the several States" and I suggest that in blunt language she instead literally means to "control the economy... of the States." Pelosi and her ilk accomplish this by confusing the modern meanings with the legal meaning and contemporary context of the founders.
Ms. Pelosi could not believe she was asked if her health care legislation is constitutional. "Are you serious? Are you serious?", she responded. Well, yeah. We are seriously wondering where she got the idea that she is the master and we are the slaves. Not from the Constitution.
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