Senator Schumer's 3 Branches Of Govt: House, Senate, & President

Greg Hengler
Blogger, Townhall.com

Civics lessons should be required for leading Democrats in the Senate.

Man, if I would have posted a comment like Schumer's I would have been blasted--and rightfully so. But a man at his level of government leadership...sign of the times. Very scary.

Big HT: Lee Habeeb.

Tags: Congress , Government Spending

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58 Comments So Far

moderateGuy Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 3:10 PM

And who says all liberals are stupid?!? Sheesh.

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Timely3 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 2:22 PM

The solution must go deeper than simply replacing these ignorant ideologues. Much of the Democtrats' ability to wreck such havoc, either naively or deliberately, comes from a constitutional jurisprudence which has allowed the national government to expand far beyond its proper constitutional bounds. We can only hope to be free of this or future administrations of its ilk when we restore the original limits on the national government. This can only be done by amendments restating those original constitutional understandings. See http://www.timelyrenewed.com.

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carol1983 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 2:28 PM

Perhaps, if the massive federal buraucracy will be destroyed under the weight of its own unconstitutional expenses. Defund it and this will take the teeth out of its over-reaching.

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carol1983 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 1:09 PM

"The internet is allowing more and more of the Democrats' gaffes.........."

and more of the corruption.

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Darkness Fish Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:58 PM

According to P.J. O'Rourke, the three branches of government are Money, Television, and Bullsht

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carol1983 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 1:13 PM

ha. excellent!

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Gray Ghost (Mississippi) Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:07 PM

The problem "viadimir estragon" is that during the last 2 years the Democrats have made more "slips of the tongue" than were made during Bush43's 8 years.

Why?

Probably because the Liberals/Socialists/Democrats are:

1. Getting scared. 11/02/10 was a BIG shock.

2. Getting older. Most of the Democrats in the US Congress are getting really old. They are having an increasing number of "senior moments".

3. Getting more unwanted publicity. The internet is allowing more and more of the Democrats' gaffes to be reported. In prior years, the main stream media hushed this stuff up.

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vladimir estragon Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:36 PM

"the Democrats have made more "slips of the tongue" than were made during Bush43's 8 years."

LOL. That's not humanly possible.

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Lepanto Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:56 PM

No Vlad you are incorrect those of us in all 57 states concur with Gray Ghost.

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vladimir estragon Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 1:45 PM

DING! We have a winner!

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Too Smart To Be A Liberal Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 1:43 PM

Don't forget the numerous studies revealing the relative ignorance of the average Democrat. Schumer emerged from a shallow gene pool.

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carol1983 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:04 PM

Vlad,
You accuse me of making things up while denying you live in an echo chamber.

Headline: Protests in India against government corruption (AFP) – jan. 30, 2011
Healine: Police join Tunisian protests (Reuters) Jan 22
Headline: Crisis escalates in Albania after protest deaths- AP 1/22/2011

Making up what?

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vladimir estragon Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:38 PM

I didn't say you were making stuff up. I said, "You just can't make this stuff up," meaning that what Town Hall regulars say and think is more absurd than anything a roomful of comedy writers trying to mock the right wing could ever come up with.

People in Tunisia and Egypt are literally risking their lives to stand up for basic democratic rites, and you tack on the U.S. Tea Party to your list. That's laughable and offensive at the same time.

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carol1983 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:56 PM

No. It IS the same. All have a government that is NOT respronsive to the will of the people. IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME. Only the methods of suppression are different.

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carol1983 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:57 PM

Oh and the manner of protest is different. In peaceful cultures you have peaceful protest. In violent cultures there is violent protest.

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vladimir estragon Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 10:41 AM

"Man, if I would have posted a comment like Schumer's I would have been blasted"

Greg, you post far more blatant lies all the time and your loyal readers cheer you on. Schumer made a simple slip of the tongue on TV - who cares? Your Town Hall contract specifices that you must post one lie per day.

And dig through your archives to find out your comments when Cheney said in writing that he was part of the executive branch AND part of the legislative branch.

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Ray1327 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 11:28 AM

take another shot vlad...wouldn't you be more comfortable with your libtards friends over at huff post..

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vladimir estragon Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 11:49 AM

1. Unlike you, I choose not to live inside an echo chamber.

2. Sarah Palin will be very angry with you for using "tards" as an insult. But it's OK if conservatives do it.

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onewiseguy Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 11:50 AM

Vlad,
1. The Vice President is part of the Executive Branch correct?
2. The Senate is part of the Legislative Branch correct?
3. The Vice President has the tie breaking vote in the Senate in the event of a vote deadlock correct?

Gee, I guess Cheney was correct when he stated that he was part of the executive AND Legislative Branch.

Try again when you have your facts straight.

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vladimir estragon Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:39 PM

See above. You really CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP.

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clarityseeker2 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:40 PM

Invalid scribbles,

"...Schumer made a simple slip of the tongue on TV-who cares?"

Oh really, simple slip of the tongue.
How so?

He was quite clear in stating that there are 3 branches of government. No quarrel with that.
It is hardly a "slip of the tongue".

Just as Obama's was no "slip of the tongue in pronouncing, "corpesman"----three separate times.
Ideologues see things much clearer----you are a constant reminder of this.

BTW, since you allege that Greg posts so many, "blatant lies"--------list just three of them. This will be interesting.

Oooooooooops, can't do it? Understand.

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vladimir estragon Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 1:48 PM

Clarityshirker, a clown like you who lives here day after day has seen repeated examples of Hengler's lies, documented chapter and verse by me and others. Don't pretend you haven't.

Anyway, grandma told me never to bother providing proof to right wingers on the internet, it'll just make them sick.

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clarityseeker2 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 2:57 PM

Case closed-----you got nuthin'.
I'm glad we settled that one.

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Robert G Munck Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 10:38 AM

I thought the right wing was of the opinion that judges and justices should not be allowed to GOVERN FROM THE BENCH. If they're aren't supposed to be governing, they're hardly a branch of government, are they?

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Jerry1446 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 11:38 AM

The constitution specifies that there are 3 branches of government-legislative, executive and judicial. At times the judicial does govern through legal interpretation just as the executive legislates through executive orders and regulation. Pay attention!

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Robert G Munck Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 11:43 AM

"At times the judicial does govern through legal interpretation just as the executive legislates through executive orders and regulation."

So you're agreeing that Judicial Activism is a good, useful thing. It's the proper place of judges to do things like, for example, making gay marriage legal.

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clarityseeker2 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:42 PM

Bobtuse,
Where did Jerry say this was, "good" and, "useful thing"?
I missed that part.
Or----are you putting words in people's mouths again? That's what I thought.

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Robert G Munck Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:58 PM

He said that it's in the Constitution. Are there things that aren't either good or useful in the Constitution? What are they?

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clarityseeker2 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 2:59 PM

Bobtuse,
Where, in the Constitution does it say, "At times the judicial does govern through legal interpretation..."

Just as I thought. Aptly named, bobtuse.

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Speedicut Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 10:37 AM

As far as I can tell, there are currently 2 branches of govt. The Supreme Court and the Supreme Leader. A lot of things are getting done via regulation through administrators. Schumer should pay attention if he wants to stay relevant.

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carol1983 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 9:38 AM

I wonder if he deliberately misleads because he fears an uprising here. Look around the world. In the past two weeks, prostests in: Tunisie, Albania, Egypt, India, the Tea Party in the USA. The causes appear to be the same everywhere: governments that ignore the will of the People, unemployment and rising food costs. The demonstrations seem to take on the flavor of the culture. Peaceful protest in India and the USA . Violent riots in Islamic countries.

Schumer should be very worried. Not all americans share the culture of non-violent protest exhibited by the Tea Party members. In NY they are well aware of a seething, potentially violent subculture ready to erupt. A poltical issue is an excuse for crime - looting and violence....

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vladimir estragon Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 11:11 AM

"In the past two weeks, prostests in: Tunisie, Albania, Egypt, India, the Tea Party in the USA."

You just can't make this stuff up. This would be rejected from a Saturday NIght Live news broadcast as being too stupid.

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carol1983 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 11:59 AM

Headline: Protests in India against government corruption (AFP) – jan. 30, 2011
Healine: Police join Tunisian protests (Reuters) Jan 22
Headline: Crisis escalates in Albania after protest deaths- AP 1/22/2011

Making up what?

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joe kidd Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 9:26 AM

W T F

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T.C.7 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 8:55 AM

You kidding me?

One of the most stupid statements ever made by ANYONE. EVER!

Here's how the LameMain/We Love Obama/Media (LMWLOM) would react if Sarah made the same comment:

The Cairo story would be knocked off Page 1.

ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC would go wall to wall coverage with the "Sarah Palin blunder".

Larry King would come out of retirement.

Maddow and Matthews would fly to Alaska and report from outside Sarah's home.

Keith Olbermann would also come to Alaska and inform the LMWLOM, "Due to the atrocity committed by Sarah Palin, I'm going to fast until she is arrested."

Finally, the White House would annouce, "for the safety of the nation due to the ongoing Sarah Palin crisis, the internet, a certain cable T.V. news...

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RamonAdams Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 9:25 AM

50 years ago, Mad Magazine would have returned this script as too far out ridiculous.
Sadly, today you are dead center correct.

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Robert G Munck Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 10:41 AM

"if Sarah made the same comment"

Schumer isn't a potential presidential candidate and de-facto spokesperson for his party.

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Ray1327 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 11:32 AM

you're kidding me right Munck?? no he is just one of the most senior dem senators in the senate....amazing the excuses you hear from libs when their socialist politicians are called out...

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Robert G Munck Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 11:49 AM

"he is just one of the most senior dem senators in the senate"

Not really; he took over the seat from Al D'Amato in 1999. For a senator, that's not much seniority. He is one of our more colorful senators, and we like that. Again, he has nowhere near the position in the party that Palin has in hers.

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onewiseguy Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 12:38 PM

Munck, please stop the ridiculous excuses. Schumer is and has been a leading Democrat voice for many years. Gee, by your logic, because he's only a measly senior Senator instead of a presidential candidate his lack of basic civic knowledge should be excused huh? Funny how it seems that EVERY Democrat's verbal failures should be ignored or minimized. Biden, Obama, Schumer, etc, etc....the excuses ultimately abound for each and every one.....and they are all "horsefeathers" to put it mildly...

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Robert G Munck Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 1:25 PM

"Schumer is and has been a leading Democrat voice for many years."

He's one of many. Palin is a leading candidate -- for some THE leading candidate -- for the Republican nomination for President. She's also widely believed to be unintelligent and ignorant of ... well, ignorant of pretty much everything.

"his lack of basic civic knowledge should be excused huh?"

He didn't really show any such. He said:

"We have three branches of government."

And that's true. Then he said;

"We have the House, the Senate, and the President, and all three need to ..."

Also true. Sure, it's an awkward and unfortunate juxtaposition, but it's all true. Now if he'd said "... and all three BRANCHES need to ..." that would be an error.

Do you really...

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Ronald501 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 2:11 PM

High scoring tests are not a guarantee of basic knowledge apparently. The basic structure of our government consists of the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch. The Legislative Branch consists of the two houses on Congress: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Executive Branch consists of the President, his cabinet, and the departments that are headed by cabinet members. The Judicial Branch consists of the Supreme Court, and all the lower Federal Courts such as the District Courts and Courts of Appeal. The Legislative Branch functions to make laws which must be approved by Presidential signature. The Executive Branch enforces these laws made by the Legislative Branch. The Judicial Branch...

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Robert G Munck Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 2:25 PM

"High scoring tests are not a guarantee of basic knowledge apparently."

They're a pretty good indicator. What were YOUR SATs?

"I will be happy to elaborate more if you still don't understand it yet."

Yes, please do. In particular, you had a pretty basic error in your description of one of the branches. You really should revisit the whole thing.

I wish that wingnuts would learn how our government works.

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T.C.7 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 3:50 PM

Why are you here?

Did you ever listen to yourself?

.........................................................................................................................................................

An "unfotrunate juxtaposition" . WOW!

What you would say, Bob, if Sarah made the exact same comment Schumer did? I know one thing. You would opine. And you would use many words. But "an awkward and unfortunate juxtaposition" would not be among them.

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Paul3081 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 6:47 PM

"Palin is a leading candidate -- for some THE leading candidate"

When did she announce her candidacy?

Other than that, that has to be the most ludicrous attempt to spin a slip of the tongue that I have ever heard. Truly pathetic, even by your low standards

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Robert G Munck Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 7:58 PM

"Did you ever listen to yourself?"

I'm typing all of this; it just goes "click," "click," "click."

"An "unfotrunate juxtaposition" . WOW!"

I'm pretty sure I spelled it right.

"You would opine."

Probably not. If Palin said "the three branches of the government are the Senate, the House, and the President," I'd certainly jump on that; it's clearly wrong. But a statement that can be interpreted in a way that's correct isn't worth the effort. That's why I'm making fun of Hengler's and everybody else's criticism of Schumer.

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Robert G Munck Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 7:58 PM

"When did she announce her candidacy?"

Do you think she's NOT a candidate?

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T.C.7 Wrote: Feb 01, 2011 7:03 AM

You sure would jump on it.

RELENTLESSLY!

If she made the remark Schumer did, liberals across America and the Main/Lame/WeLoveObama/Media would hound her day and night.

This brings us to your reply to Paul - "Do you think she's NOT a candidate?"

Of course Palin IS NOT a candidate. Only one person knows if she will run. Not you, not me or anyone else. Just her. Personally, I'll be surprised if SHE DOES run.

Why should she endure the hell you and the MLWLOM would inflict upon her?

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Warrior11 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 8:54 AM

Chuck Schumer is an unAmerican liar that has mastered the art of smiling when he lies to hide his true intent. If George Soros turns over in his bed at night, he will wake up Chuck Schumer. This duo of new age Communist are the most dangerous people to our Liberties that have day to day access to Obamaland. When you play; they plot, when you sleep; they connive, when you embrace your liberty; they embrace their Marx.

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carol1983 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 9:47 AM

I see him speak and his face turns to a lizard speaking human words.

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albert henry Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 8:31 AM

Little lefty leaning trolls

Care to comment on the stupid, that is ypur party, and in this case is the entrenched, long enduring ignorance that is your party.

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Bill906 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 6:47 AM

How can he have forgotten the activist courts, which, Before Obama, were the only places the liberal agenda was moved forward? Ah, well, Three Cheers for Chuckie!
Up Chuck! Up chuck. Upchuck.

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Incredulous2 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 1:45 AM

C'mon people, Chuck-U probably had a very hectic schedule, was very tired and stressed and was speaking after a very long liquid lunch.

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Terminus2 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 1:12 AM

That is indeed funny. But what is sad is probably how many viewers heard that and didn't even catch it. Maybe he puts Judicial above the rest, as they've become a legislative branch in and of themselves.

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NOTW Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 1:25 AM

Or maybe he has split off the Senate? In which case they should probably start representing their States' interests. They've been doing a p iss poor job of it the last couple years ( otherwise 26 of them wouldn't be suing about Obamacare).

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Terminus2 Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 1:38 AM

So that makes four branches of government? Now this is getting confusing...

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MeMikeT Wrote: Jan 31, 2011 8:51 AM

No, there are still 3 branches of our government, just not the three Senator Schumer alluded to, incorrectly. Executive branch=President, Judicial=Courts and Legislative=Congress. I think he might have been looking for a different word other then 'branch' and couldn't find it. He was trying to be clever, but the result was stupid.

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Senator Schumer's 3 Branches Of Govt: House, Senate, & President

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