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3/21/09

MSNBC: US Congressional Confusing Knee -Jerking Reactions - Is that AIG tax constitutional? - by Ken Strickland

"Some day my dear kids all this will be yours."


For the complete report from the msnbc.com click on this link

US Congressional Confusing Knee-Jerking reactions - Is that AIG tax constitutional? - by Ken Strickland

While the US House acted at "warp" speed to pass a tax bill designed to recoup most of the bonus money given to AIG executives, expect the Senate Republicans to slow up the process next week -- some by echoing the Founding Fathers and the U.S. Constitution. The US Constitution addressing Congress directly says, "No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed." (Article 1, Sec 9.)

In the simplest terms, that article prohibits legislation punishing or penalizing a specific person or group without trial. In the Federalist Papers #44, James Madison wrote in 1788, "Bills of attainder, ex-post-facto laws, and laws impairing the obligation of contracts, are contrary to the first principles of the social compact, and to every principle of sound legislation."

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