It was a simple question.

It was the kind of question legendary members of Congresses past would have asked themselves about pending legislation.

In fact, it was the kind of question that shouldn't need to be asked of a U.S. speaker of the House.

But, obviously, it is the kind of question that is not being asked frequently enough of such officials.

It came more than a week ago from a member of the "alternative" media, and it was indeed directed to Nancy Pelosi.

It went like this: "Madame Speaker, where specifically does the Constitution grant Congress the authority to enact an individual health insurance mandate?"

As I said: simple, straightforward, respectful.

Yet, listen to response. It is anything but.

The hesitation in her answer suggests confusion, disorientation, stunned bemusement.

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"Are you serious?" she finally offers. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, yes I am," responded the report from CNSNews.com

But, it was too late. Pelosi had determined he was not serious at all – and quickly moved on to the next question at the press conference.

Pelosi's press secretary, Nadeam Elshami, then scolded the reporter for asking such an impertinent question.

"You can put this on the record," she said. "That is not a serious question. That is not a serious question."

The trouble is, I can think of no more serious question to ponder on the eve of Pelosi's effort to quick-pitch her nationalized health-care scheme in the House of Representatives tomorrow without scrutiny, without debate, without a first or second reading and without constitutional justification.

She didn't answer the question because she can't.

There is no answer – other than the Constitution absolutely, definitively and unequivocally grants no power to Congress to do any such thing.

In fact, the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled on this matter in Linder v. United States in 1925: "Obviously, direct control of medical practice in the states is beyond the power of the federal government." Further, the court stated: "Incidental regulation of such practice by Congress through a taxing act cannot extend to matters plainly inappropriate and unnecessary to reasonable enforcement of a revenue measure."

Nevertheless, with a little more time to consider the question, Elshami explained the position of Pelosi and her colleagues who plan to rewrite the Constitution tomorrow.

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She referred to a press release from her office that stated Congress has "broad power to regulate activities that have an effect on interstate commerce. Congress has used this authority to regulate many aspects of American life, from labor relations to education to health care to agricultural production."

The release continued: "On the shared responsibility requirement in the House health insurance reform bill, which operates like auto insurance in most states, individuals must either purchase coverage (and non-exempt employers must purchase coverage for their workers) – or pay a modest penalty for not doing so. The bill uses the tax code to provide a strong incentive for Americans to have insurance coverage and not pass their emergency health costs onto other Americans – but it allows them a way to pay their way out of that obligation. There is no constitutional problem with these provisions."

In other words, there is nothing Congress can't do if it involved interstate commerce, in the eyes of Pelosi and her colleagues who plan to take control of America's health-care system because they know better than you and your doctor.

Arrogance. Chutzpah. Contemptuousness. Insolence. Pomposity.

Look in the mirror, Nancy Pelosi. What do you see?

But it's worse than that, dare I say.

It's treason.

It's a violation of the oath of office every member of Congress took upon being sworn to serve the people and the Constitution.

It is a totally illegitimate act. It is a power grab. It is a coup.

According to Pelosi and company, there are no bounds any more to what they can do.

According to Pelosi and company, we no longer operate in the framework of limited government.

According to Pelosi and company, we no longer live in a constitutional republic.

According to Pelosi and company, we're now ruled by the whim of men and women, not the supreme law of the land.