Top Gun wrote:How would someone be "forced" to perform medical procedures, when those doing the performing will be getting paid for doing so, just as they are now? This isn't some scenario where a surgeon will be forced at gunpoint to operate on poor people and not get a salary in return. And via our taxes, we're already "forced" to pay for any number of government services, many of which we may not personally utilize. How is paying to ensure healthcare access any different than paying to ensure national defense or clean air?
And from what I can tell, several elements on your list were never strictly enumerated in the Constitution; there's certainly been no lack of controversy over the existence of a "right to privacy," for example. So if these non-enumerated rights are recognized by you as being fundamental, why then shouldn't healthcare?
I almost quoted the 10th amendment on this, but I see where you are going with this.
The enumerated powers are a list of
nonspecific responsibilities found in Article 1 Section 8 of the United States Constitution, which iterates the authority granted to the United States Congress. Congress may exercise only those powers that are granted to it by the Constitution, limited by the Bill of Rights and the other protections found in the Constitutional text.
Section 9 - Limits on Congress
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
(No capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.) (Section in parentheses clarified by the 16th Amendment.)
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State.
So how about we discuss the limits placed on Congress?