John Peterson

The Constitution does not authorize the federal government to assume regulation, much less micromanagement, of the energy industry.

Foreign aid is unconstitutional.

No federal or state government investigation (and there have been many over the years) has ever found broad market manipulation in the oil industry. Furthermore, there is no clear definition of "price gouging." Hence, this bill would likely have been counterproductive, as it would have created an incentive for retailers to close, rather than risk penalties for simply following the economic laws of supply and demand. Besides, the federal government has no business trying to dictate prices in the private sector, under any circumstances.

Drafted by the Democrats, this $3.03 trillion budget sets nonbinding limits for the 12 annual appropriations bills.

The federal government acting as an insurer, micro-manager of markets, and wealth redistributor is unconstitutional. Also, the morphing of H.R. 3221 from an energy bill into a foreclosure prevention bill was a procedural travesty.

Foreign Aid is unconstitutional.

The American welfare state this budget expands is unconstitutional. It should initially be frozen at least and then reduced.

Increasing taxes for the largest U.S. oil producers would drive gasoline prices higher and because Congress should not be subsidizing energy development, including renewable energy. The increased tax expense to corporations would simply be passed on to consumers. Targeting the top U.S. oil companies for making record profits is a disincentive to increasing exploration and production; undermines the exceedingly large capital base required to rebuild when Katrina-type hurricanes devastate the oil patch; and is unfair. Other companies and sectors with record profits would be untouched, not to mention foreign oil producers larger than Exxon.

Federal healthcare programs are unconstitutional.

Federal healthcare funding is unconstitutional.

The NAFTA Superhighway threatens our national security and economy.

The federal government should not subsidize the housing of illegal aliens. (Of course, it should end housing subsidies to American citizens as well since such aid is unconstitutional.)

Strikes from the bill nonbinding language calling for a mandatory program to combat global warming.

Foreign aid is unconstitutional.

This act would effectively create an unconstitutional national ID card.

Allowing Mexican truckers to travel freely on U.S. roads would not only threaten U.S. security, but would also displace numerous American truckers who would lose their jobs to Mexican drivers who are willing to work for a much lower wage.

This legislation would further federalize the criminal code as well as punish not only the criminal and his actions, but the presumed thoughts behind them.

This contains an enormous amount of unconstitutional spending, raised the federal minimum wage, and authorized money for the Iraq War, which itself was never authorized by Congress under Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution.

Congress must not continue to support massive amounts of irresponsible and unconstitutional spending.

This violates the right to life for millions of unborn babies and unconstitutionally mandates federal funds for scientific research.