Remember "states' rights?" Republicans in Florida do

Students of American history learn that while slavery per sé may not have been a root cause of the Civil War, certainly the dispute over states' rights was a key factor ... and one of those "rights" over which the states fought was slavery. Well, the wingnuts never really have let go of the states' rights argument, which they've applied to the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, education issues, gay rights .... and now, the debate over health care reform.

Two Florida legislators have introduced a bill that purportedly would keep the state's employers from having to follow any federal health care system:

Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, and Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, are behind the Florida Health Care Freedom Act. Twenty-four House members, including Peter Nehr, R-Tarpon Springs, are co-sponsors.

Legal scholars question whether such an amendment would have the desired effect, and backers acknowledge the challenge. But they see the measure as consistent with a larger campaign to combat expansion of federal power.

"This amendment draws a line in the sand about socialized medicine," Baker told a crowd of about 60 people at Tucson's Southwest Grill in Clearwater [Sept. 15].

Unlike some public discussions of Obama's plan to revamp health care, the tone of Tuesday's gathering remained civil, though it was certainly spirited. Those gathered overwhelmingly supported the amendment.

"Do you really want to put your life, your health care, into the hands of some weenie up in Washington?" asked Steven F. Burden, a 53-year-old software engineer from Lutz.

Under Obama's proposal, large businesses — those with more than 50 employees — would be required to provide insurance for their employees or pay a fee, and individuals would be required to purchase health insurance. Tax credits would be available to help cover the cost for individuals. Those unable to afford insurance could get hardship waivers.

The proposed amendment seeks to nullify these provisions by barring employers and individuals from being compelled by law to "participate in any health care system."

I guess the idiots who support this proposal, like the above-quoted Mr. Burden (how's that for an appropriate name for someone opposed to health care reform?) would rather have their life and health care in the hands of "some weenie" in an insurance company -- you know, like it is now. Said idiots also are completely ignorant about the law -- again, how is it that people who don't understand the law keep getting elected to make our laws? -- because they obviously fail to understand that, under the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause, any state legislation in this area would be superseded by federal law. In other words, the bill proposed by Baker and Plakon can have no effect -- by definition. If there's no health care reform, their bill is moot, and if there is, the bill is "preempted" by the federal scheme of legislation.

Hold on, though ... Carey Baker? Where have I heard that name before?

Oh, yeah! Baker is the gun nut who wants to be Agriculture Commissioner ... so he can oversee the gun permitting process! I knew I remembered him from somewhere ....

Anyway, the grandstanding is great red-meat for the radical Republican base, the "21-percenters" who still think Drunky McStagger was a great president, but it's ultimately useless. Kind of like the space Baker and Plakon are taking up in Tallahassee. But, you know, it's just another day at the office for the wingnut-dominated Florida legislature, where "common sense" is a four-letter word.

UPDATE (10:37 am 9/23/09): Here's another historical take on the futility of what Baker and Plakon are trying to do, courtesy of FOBO (Friend of Blast Off!) Ray Seaman of Progress Florida. Nullification fever: CATCH IT!