The power of subpoena -- broad as it is -- and the power of contempt for refusing to answer -- drastic as that is -- and even the solemnity of the oath cannot ensure truthful answers.

CNN: Transcript: House Judiciary Committee

On the other hand, they will not give the slightest consideration to the fact that Iran is about to become a nuclear power, in contempt of its international obligations, and so is poised to become the gravest threat to international security in the past 25 years.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Our irredeemable international system

Or it could be a motion to punish the offender - Parliament has a theoretical power to jail people for contempt, and the building does contain a cell for this purpose.

BBC: How can select committees avoid being misled?

Equally telling was the open contempt directed at him by Conservative backbenchers, who clearly feel the balance of power in the Coalition has swung decisively against the Lib Dems.

BBC: Nick Clegg's Lords reform battle

In June she called the contempt vote against Attorney General Eric Holder, "a shameful display of abuse of power" by the Republican party.

FORBES: Nancy Pelosi

It is exactly this fundamental misinterpretation (coupled no doubt with a contempt for the 10th amendment) and resulting worldview that allows him and so many other aspiring power brokers to become entirely unbounded as to what the federal government can get itself involved with.

FORBES: New York's 19th Gets the General Welfare Clause Right