[tumblindice]

"I was arguing against some post who claimed that the Constitution actually prevents states from enacting liberal abortion laws - which is a blatant falsehood."

But the Consitution does actually proscribe states from enacting laws contrary to federal law, in the so-called `premption clause'.
(And the Commerce clause. For better or worse, it's called 'Federalism'.)
Article. IV.
Section. 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

As I'm sure you know, the SCOTUS also decided Plessy v. Ferguson, bolstering slavery.

[linda_22003]

It may have bolstered segregation, but I don't see how Plessy "bolstered slavery" over thirty years after the end of the Civil War.

[tumblindice]

sorry, bad cite above: working & lurking

here you go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supremacy_Clause

[LtdGovt]

But the Consitution does actually proscribe states from enacting laws contrary to federal law, in the so-called `premption clause'.

Only when the feds are acting within the boundaries ste by the Constitution. Read Amendments X.

(And the Commerce clause. For better or worse, it's called 'Federalism'.) Article. IV. Section. 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

That's not the Commerce Clause, that's the Full Faith and Credit Clause. And it has absolutely nothing to do with Congress, legislation abortion, so don't even bother. And neither has the Commerce Clause.

As I'm sure you know, the SCOTUS also decided Plessy v. Ferguson, bolstering slavery.

Dear Lord, am I really arguing with YOU? Anyone with even limited amount of knowledge about constitutional law should know that Plessy had absolutely nothing to do with slavery. In fact, Plessy was decided after constitunional amendments banning slavery had been passed.