When is it okay to violate the Constitution of the United States?
When you're a Republican, of course.
On a nearly party-line vote, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill that would skirt a federal phaseout of older, less efficient light bulbs and allow Michigan manufacturers to make and sell the old version of bulb in the state.
Hm. "Skirt" federal law? Isn't there a problem with that? Isn't there something in the Constitution - which most teabaggers love to talk so much about - that prohibits this kind of behavior?
As a matter of fact, there is.
The bill ignores a federal law, the Energy Independence and Security Act, which phases out incandescent light bulbs. That bill was signed into law in 2007 by none other than their fellow Republican, George Dubya Bush, whom they helped elect - twice. (I use the term elect rather loosely, but I digress.)
Article VI of the Constitution of the United States is clear:
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
Of course, supporters of the bill say there's no Constitutional issue here. The bill claims:
An incandescent lightbulb that is manufactured in this state without the inclusion of parts, other than generic or insignificant parts, imported from outside of this state and that remains within this state has not entered into interstate commerce and is not subject to congressional authority to regulate interstate commerce.
First of all: How does one define "generic or insignificant parts?" Talk about vague wording!
Second, the bill's author - Tom McMillin - is trying to claim that this has nothing to do with interstate commerce. Even if it doesn't, he's missing the point. The law is the law, and - more importantly - the Constitution is the Constitution
The bill is bad enough in that it would undermine America and our energy security. What makes it worse, however, is that Republicans in the Michigan House are openly violating their oath to "support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of this state" as required by Michigan's own Constitution.
So, by passing this bill, Michigan Republicans are violating the United States Constitution.
Michigan Republican lawmakers are turning into lawbreakers.
If Democrats did this, you know Republicans would try to expel them.