Yes, Nancy, We're Serious

When Cybercast News Service asked Nancy Pelosi whether the health care bills in the House were in line with the Constitution, she was incredulous. "Are you serious? Are you serious?" she asked rhetorically before going on to the next reporter.

Her press secretary, Nadeam Elshami, later told CNS that asking the Speaker of the House where the Constitution authorized Congress to force American to buy health insurance was "not a serious question." Later she sent an email press release that argued it was part and parcel of the Commerce clause, according to Cybercast.

Many conservatives beg to differ. For example, Judge Andrew Napolitano wrote about the Constitutional questions recently in the Wall Street Journal. Others have joined in the fray, wondering how on earth the US Constitution can force any citizen to buy any thing.

So, the question remains for you, Speaker Pelosi. Where does the Constitution authorize Congress to create a health care bill? And how exactly, do you interpret the Commerce clause to create that authority out of thin air? As someone who has sworn to protect the Constitution and the country from enemies at home and abroad, surely you can give a cogent answer instead of denigrating the innocent question and hapless questioner.