Tim Pawlenty Invoking the Tenth Amendment?

Tim Pawlenty, the current governor of Minnesota and 2012 Republican presidential hopeful, was blustering yesterday that if health care reform passes out of Washington, he may be "asserting the Tenth Amendment."

This has everything to do with him shoring up his anti-government conservative credentials to improve his chances with the base in 2012 and absolutely nothing to do with principles.

The fact that the Constitution does not contain the word health care does not mean that it is outside the realm of what the federal government can do. While the wackos at town halls, and even some in Congress, have been shouting from the rooftops that word is not included in the Constitution, such an interpretation is outrageously foolish. The Constitution also does not explicitely state that either NASA or the United States Air Force can exist, either. But what it did explicitely allow? Slavery.

Government evolves, as does our understanding of it. Congress has the power the "provide for the general welfare of the United States." Definitely sounds like health care could conveniently fit into that category

While he didn't address the issue in the interview, it stands to reason that he also feels the same way about social security, Medicare, and Medicaid. If government has no right to offer a public option, Pawlenty certainly cannot argue that any of those programs should be continued.

Can't wait to see how running on a platform of "Let the old fend for themselves" is gonna work out.