Caller: So its not a Federalism issue it doesn’t impede their movement..

ML: It is a Federalism issue in the sense that Federalism means that the States have certain broad authority. It is not a Federal Constitutional issue.

Caller: OK (crosstalk) Thanks for answering my question

ML: Alright, take care

ML” Because ladies and gentlemen, if we live in a central government that can make all these decisions, then you are not going to have harmony in this country. We have diverse backgrounds, diverse experiences, diverse interests. We are a big country with a lot of people who come from a lot of different places with different ancestries, different religions -or no religion, so if you’re going to impose…the one thing, the glue that holds us together is the rule of law and the Declaration of Independence and the transcendent moral order. But there are certain governing decisions that cannot be made by the Federal Government, and to simply say “I want equal rights and the federal government is going to make those decisions”, means that ALL decisions are going to be made by the Federal government because what people are really talking about are equal outcomes, not equal rights. Make sense? If it doesn’t, it doesn’t, but that’s my position.

ML:James in NJ, a Democrat, Go!

Caller :Hi Mark, thank you very much for taking my call

ML: Yes sir

Caller: I have a question, even though I don’t agree with you about a lot of things I feel like if I have to ask an expert on Federalism something I feel that you are as close to an expert on Federalism as I can find (ML: alright).. And I, I guess I’m wondering if you have these States in the country that have, you know, different, providing benefits to certain citizens with regards to taxation or inheritance and things like that, like say, Maine and Vermont, they have same-sex marriage and other states don’t provide those benefits, isn’t there an inequality of treatment under the law, and does it become and issue of Federalism, is it incumbent upon the Federal Government to provide a basis for equality?

ML:You know, some states have different criminal statutes that punish things differently than other States. Some States allow marriage at younger ages than other States. Some States allow you to marry distant relatives, some States don’t. There are all kinds of differences between the States because the States were at one point actually colonies and the colonies came together and they decided to create a Federal government – not a national government, a Federal government, where they would confer some authority on it as a, you know, a collective, but not enough authority to trump the States in all respects. So they set out a federal government with specific enumerated powers, and they tried to divide up that federal government so it wouldn’t become too powerful. Federalism, the 10th Amendment, is a recognition that the States as a collective would be more powerful and have more authority in those areas where there is not specific delineated authority with the Federal Government. So of course there’s going to be differences in the States.

Caller: I’m not speaking of the 14th Amendment I guess I’m thinking, does it affect certain citizens freedom of movement from state to state and if that does…

ML: Hold on now, does what affect their movement? Does what?

Caller: A difference in equal treatment under the law…

ML: There isn’t a different treatment , hold on now. There isn’t a different treatment under the law . In California a man and a woman who choose to get married are treated one way, and a man and a man are not free to get married. Ah, so, what you’re asking, you’re asking about whether two different circumstances being recognized by the State legislature and now by the court there, is fair or unfair. Well if you think it’s unfair – if it really bothers you to the point where you want to leave, then you get up and leave.

ML: Rachel, New York City, WABC ,a Democrat, Go!:

Caller: How do you do Mr. Levin, I just wanted to tell you that you and I grew up in the same city so I have a certain affinity for you. Personally I disagree with everything that you believe in but I’m very glad you are on the radio because every so often I listen to you and I learn things that I think I should know. (ML: really?) and that’s all I called to say.

ML: Well aren’t you a sweet lady. Now you grew up in Philadelphia?

Caller: Yes, you grew up in Elkins Park and I grew up in Wynnefield. My sister went to the same University that you did .

ML: Temple University

Caller: Absolutely

ML: And she survived.

Caller: Well, not as long as I would have liked

ML: Oh really, I’m sorry…

Caller: Me too

ML: Oh my gosh…well, you sound like a lovely lady and I appreciate your kind words even though you disagree with me

Caller: Absolutely 100 percent, but I’m glad you’re there…

ML: I’ll tell you what…

Caller: I’m glad you’re there because that’s what democracy is all about…

ML: I want to send you a book will you read it if I send it to you?

Caller: You’re going to send me Liberty and Tyranny?

ML: Yes, can I send you that?

Caller: Yes you can. I have to tell you I wouldn’t pay for it. I was going to get it out of the library but if you want to send it to me I’ll take it.

ML: I want you to read it and then I want you to call me

Caller: OK, you got it.

ML: Fair Enough?

Caller: Fair..

ML: Alright…and I’m sorry about your sister. Now don’t hang up, we’ll get your address. Send her a signed copy..
Now a lot of you conservatives out there, (raises voice) Why are you giving her a freebie?!… Ladies and Gentlemen, we are going to see if we can’t have a decent discussion with Rachel after she reads the book, she sounds like a very lovely lady, we’ll be right back.

“I would not bring up [Rod Dreher]; it is bad salesmanship.”

Dreher is not a conservative. He is mildly to the right of McCain {btw, that is not a compliment}. Mr. Crunchy Con is an also-ran. And before anyone waves “National Review” this way; yeah, Chris Buckley’s tenure was super-splendid.

Personally prefer to be at home with family and pets, but to each his own.

MODERATE ALERT!
Friedersdorf, Dreher & Frum: the new MOD Squad ?