Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue this morning sidetracked a Republican effort to get North Carolina to join 15 other states who have filed a lawsuit challenging the new federal health care law.
Republicans had hoped to get the Council of State — a body of the state's 10 top executive branch elected officials — to appropriate money to pay for legal fees for such a suit, Rob Christensen reports.
But Perdue said it was inappropriate for the council to take up the health care issue because the state's chief lawyer, Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper, was in Charlotte attending a law enforcement meeting that she said had been scheduled for months.
"This is a legal issue," Perdue said. "Attorney General Cooper is not with us."
That brought a protest from Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry, a Republican, who said a quorum was present and a discussion should be permitted.
But Perdue declined to allow further discussion.
"That is just the way it is....As such that is the end of the question," Perdue said.
The governor said if Berry thought it was important to address the issue immediately, she was free to act independently.
"Anybody here can file a lawsuit," Perdue said, "It's part of being American to sue."
After the meeting, Berry said she didn't think Perdue had followed the rules that allows any council member to bring up an issue for discussion.
She also expressed disappointment that Cooper didn't change his schedule to attend the council meeting. Another council member not present, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, a U.S. Senate candidate, participated in the meeting by telephone — a common practice for such meetings.
"When Attorney General Cooper approached that microphone on April 11, 2007, and pronounced those Duke lacrosse players innocent I cheered him for doing the right thing," Berry said. "I hope to be able to cheer him again when he steps up and takes leadership that I know he is capable of and protects the rights and freedoms of North Carolina citizens."
She was referring to the famous case in which Cooper exonerated three Duke lacrosse players falsely accused of rape.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, a Republican, also urged the council to consider the health care law.
Two blocks away from the council meeting, about 150 opponents of the health care law held a rally urging Perdue and Cooper to join the law suit. The rally, sponsored by the state chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative advocacy group, attracted key GOP lawmakers including Senate Republican leader Phil Berger of Eden and House Republican leader Paul "Skip" Stam of Apex.
Republicans have said they will introduce legislation when the legislature reconvenes in May to allow citizens to opt out any mandates of the new health care law.
Those attending the rally carried such signs as "Obamacare is socialism" and "Kill The Bill."
Comments
Sticks and Stones
April 7, 2010 - 10:48am — clatterblastI suppose anyone who disagrees with wasting taxpayer money on an fruitless lawsuit is deemed a "rat" and/or "cockroach" by Libertine. People who have nothing coherent or logical to say resort to calling names.
Perhaps you would like to pony up a couple hundred grand for this sideshow? The case isn't going anywhere. It's fodder.
Okay, deep breath in and out people...
April 7, 2010 - 10:21am — captsfufpExactly what would be the basis of the proposed lawsuit? I noticed the N&O didn't actually state that, which, to me, would be a fundamental question to ask on this issue. Perhaps The Commissioners of Labor and Agriculture could send out a press release or make an announcement, specifically stating the constitutional basis for the Attorney General to act on. Maybe they already have, and it was just not mentioned.
Here in my corner of the world, the Fayetteville Observer actually explained a little bit of this already:
http://fayobserver.com/Articles/2010/04/07/989127
Q: Does the N.C. attorney general plan on suing the federal government over the unconstitutional health care bill law that was illegally passed in Washington, D.C.? We would love to know as citizens of this state. - T.T., Fayetteville
A: The Republican members of the state's congressional delegation wrote to Roy Cooper last month to urge him to join the federal lawsuit that alleges the health care reform mandate that almost all Americans buy health insurance is unconstitutional.
So far, Cooper, a Democrat, is not among the 15 attorneys general to sign on to the suit, and he has not indicated whether he will. Fourteen of the 15 who have joined the suit are Republicans.
Critics of the suit have suggested it's doomed to fail because the constitution gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.
In the interest of fairness, we also should point out that imposing an individual mandate for health insurance was previously suggested by Republicans, including John McCain in 1994, during the Clinton administration's efforts to reform health care. - G.P.
tune in to the TakeAStandShow.com today with Chad Adams 3-6
April 6, 2010 - 3:03pm — BitterEXdemocratYep, Chad's just been talking this up on WNC best talk radio show as guest host today! you can log on and listen now or most other days with host, Matt Mittan.
These guys cover things on air that most in NC wont...thanks guys!!!
Why does Obama use the word "System"?
April 6, 2010 - 2:36pm — FreedomSeekerWhen Obama says "Change" and we need a "New System" he has a very specific meaning.
When Obama says "Fundamentally Transform America" he really means it. He's talking about completely changing everything.
Why would anyone suggest that?
It comes straight from the Saul Alinski and Rules for Radicals agenda that Obama studies and taught while he was a guest professor.
The core tenent of Saul Alinski was to "Burn the System Down!". Alinski taught that the 'system' was evil and people needed to for large organized groups to seize power by any means necessary. That people who disagreed were 'the enemy' and needed to be targeted, isolated, ridiculed, and brough to their knees. This is all about a social revolution.
If you don't believe it, just sit around and watch until it is too late to do anything because the radicals haveseized all the power.
Don't take anyone else's word for it...go read Rules for Radicals and see how closely Obama and the Leftists are following the play book. It is an amazing, step-by-step formula.
Since when?
April 6, 2010 - 2:35pm — rachelkindredUmmm, Governor, since when is Roy Cooper the head lawyer in the state? He's the state's head cop but he was elected to that, right? Is this a magic wand sort of thing? Unless you're in the process of RICO-ing the Bar and the Board of Law Examiners, which I think is a fine idea, and if that's the agenda, I approve. Roy Cooper sucks (until he makes some crony arrests) but at least he hangs out with cops instead of pondscum-sucking Esqs. Rachel Kindred
Democrats practice "Rules for Radicals"
April 6, 2010 - 2:26pm — FreedomSeekerWhy do Democrats use name calling?
Because they are taught Saul Alinski's Rules for Radicals! Obama lectured about this in Chicago Universities.
Here are a couple of the Rules for Radicals
1. Create mass organizations to seize power
--- like ACORN, SEIU, NOW, George Soros, Andy Stern
2. The ENDS justifies the MEANS
---- with social justice as the end goal
3. "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon"
--- this is why the Left tries to ridicule everyone with a different point of view
---- shout down, mock, and name call all diverse points of view
4. Keep the pressure on
--- never ever ever give up
5. Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.
--- think any conservative person (Bush, Palin, Beck, etc.)
--- the Left will relentlessly use ALL its might to attack them
--- the media, hollywood, activists, unions, moveon.org will ATTACK, ATTACK
Maybe "One" can, but Liberals Can't
April 6, 2010 - 2:16pm — FreedomSeekerCivility - show examples where Liberals express themselves without name calling and labeling?
- Anyone who disagrees with Obama is labeled racist!
- Tea Party participants protesting debt and govt control are called "angry mobs"
- Sarah Palin was called everything from 'stupid' to an 'idiot'
- People questioning the "Global Warming" hoax were called 'earthers'.
Clatter blast...people like YOU are part of the problem!
April 6, 2010 - 2:16pm — BitterEXdemocratmeanwhile Bev acts like queen bee...dont worry Bev, we will be back on your tail about this!
Why challenge the Federal Government on Health Care?
April 6, 2010 - 2:09pm — FreedomSeekerAnyone who understands the founding principles of the United States of America, the concept of a "Republic", and the U.S. Constitution understands it has nothing to do with being Democrat or Republican...
...it has everything to do with 'Separation of Power", the sovereignty of States Rights, and protecting the small individual against an all powerful government.
Everywhere in the world, it is axiomatic that...
..."The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen". Period.
Civility
April 6, 2010 - 1:36pm — uBniceOne can express themselves in a civil and respectful manner. Name calling?! What's the point?
My, my, my...
April 6, 2010 - 1:21pm — TheLibertineI leave this site for a few days and the rats and cockroaches come out from the corners. I'm delighted that Purdue is squirming. She and Cooper can't hide on this one. Let November come and we'll see who is left standing.
As for you snivelling socialists posting here, you can go back down into the basement now. Enlightenment courtesy of The Libertine has reentered the building.
Cherie Berry, Steve Troxler,
April 6, 2010 - 12:27pm — clatterblastCherie Berry, Steve Troxler, Phil Berger, and Paul Stam will have lots of time to reflect on their mistakes when they lose their appointments next term. They stopped serving North Carolina's interests when they became complicit in wasting taxpayer money on this frivolous and idiotic lawsuit. You should have stuck to elevators, Cherie.
Those attending the rally
April 6, 2010 - 11:34am — ConMaxThose attending the rally carried such signs as "Obamacare is socialism" and "Kill The Bill* N&O Story
Meanwhile while Art Pope's front group Americans for Greed and Stupidity march around the Capital, A lighting Storm appear out of nowhere and open the Red Sea for them to escape into the promise land of a neo-con Paradise.........
What a waste
April 6, 2010 - 11:12am — uBniceWhat a waste of taxpayer dollars to sue the Federal Government over this thing. It is only a symbolic gesture that they know will go nowhere.
I was reading where the AG for Georgia refused the Georgia Governor citing that it would be a waste of taxpayers dollars. They are now trying to impeach the Georgia AG. Geez!
new dance step
April 6, 2010 - 10:59am — bestsarahThe Council of State is inventing a new dance: The Obamacare Shuffle. The state Dems are weaving and shuffling, one step forward and two steps back, a dip and then the twirl. The new dance has many nuances and is a cross between the Electric Slide and the Bop. The Council of State is definitely swinging to the beat. Some of them remind me of the whirling dervishes. It is hard to hit a moving target and it is hard to hear if you only have two good ears. Everybody just dance........dance injuries are covered!