Chief Justice Roberts singlehandedly saves ObamaCare

The Supreme Court, by a 5-4 margin, sidesteps the Commerce Clause debate and validates the individual mandate as a constitutional exercise of Congress’ taxing power.

As a result, almost all of the act is upheld, thanks to Chief Justice Roberts siding with the majority. But by saving the law through the taxation argument, the court sidesteps endorsing an expansion of the commerce clause.

Fancy judicial footwork by the chief justice, I’d say.

The four justices in the minority wanted to toss the whole thing out, which again speaks to the role that the chief justice played. He wasn’t willing to go there — too radical an outcome for him, apparently — and he found a way to avoid it.

In fact, the deeper I read in the opinion and the dissents, the more apparent it is that Roberts undertook a major rescue operation. He was not willing to let the court take what he deemed to be a radical, even partisan course that would undermine its institutional credibility.

This ruling is as much about protecting the court’s integrity as it is about interpreting the law.

Here’s the core of what justices Scalia, Kennedy, Alito and Thomas said in dissent:

“The Act before us here exceeds federal power both in mandating the purchase of health insurance and in denying nonconsenting States all Medicaid funding. These parts of the Act are central to its design and operation, and all the Act’s other provisions would not have been enacted without them. In our view it must follow that the entire statute is inoperative.”

The court majority also endorsed language expanding Medicaid in the states, although it prevents the federal government from pulling Medicaid money as punishment for states that choose not to go along. That’s the extent of the conservative “win” in the opinion.

No wonder Scalia was in such a foul mood earlier this week. I suspect that mood is going to last a good long time.

– Jay Bookman

1,313 comments Add your comment

Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...

June 28th, 2012
3:07 pm

NORMAL,

The only people who will be better off are the current have nots, insurers and large health systems. Independent doctors, those of us currently insured get screwed…What did the CBO come back and say about our cost of this dog? I think it was 800 million or so after your pal President Trillion promised it would be tax neutral..

SheezLouise

June 28th, 2012
3:07 pm

Okay, OKAY…..IT’S A “TAX” FOR GODSAKES!!!!

OBAMA (STILL) WINS!!! OBAMA (STILL) WINS!!!

No matter WHAT you “call” it!!! ROFLMAO

whhzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (spin, that is) LOLOLOLOLOL

larry

June 28th, 2012
3:07 pm

24 pages of comments , and the Republicans still believe that Romney is going to make himself a hypocrite . LOL!!

And as far as the peanut gallery yelling TAX! TAX! , well, Reagan raised taxes , Bush rasied taxes and Clinton raised taxes. Bush 43 should have raised taxes. Maybe we wouldn’t be in such a mess , debt wise right now.

I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not

June 28th, 2012
3:08 pm

pretty good chance the heart surgeon saving your life from to much drugs and red meat will be a con…LOL

Mama Says

June 28th, 2012
3:08 pm

Auqa

Your statement proves the entire conservative argument.

You don’t understand that in your effort to do something good you have given the government the new power to do a lot of bad.

You focus on one issue at the peril of whatever issue faces us 20 years from now.

You support a government policy that now says they can punish you if you do not pay for something they think you need.

Be it healthcare or broccoli

You miss the fact that you can now be forced to buy it.

Precedent is set.

Remember that when the more extreme cons out there impose fees on you for not buying something they want you to.

Overall it had nothing to do with healthcare, it’s governments ability to control us is what it is about. Remember we live in a free country, well we use to.

Recon 0311 2533

June 28th, 2012
3:08 pm

This Supreme Court decision isn’t the best outcome for Obama and the Democrats in this election year. Had it gone the other way it wouldn’t have been a campaign issue. Now it gives Romney and the Republicans another hot button campaign issue right along side of jobs, and the economy. Also the strike down of the state mandate muddies up the water on the AHA implementation and cost to the taxpayers. Any high fiveing on the left may be very premature.

G Mare 71(PLEASE VOTE NO ON TSPLOST)

June 28th, 2012
3:08 pm

Hi, Normal, I’m retired.:)

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

June 28th, 2012
3:09 pm

Sorry mam, your break is over! I’d like fries with my hamburger please! Thanks

Is there some shame to be associated with working in a fast food establishment?

It honest work.

Much more honest than say, sitting behind a desk running one’s mouth on the phone all day about how to insure people based on actuarial tables.

They BOTH suck

June 28th, 2012
3:09 pm

“The reality is that business will continue to operate under the laws of supply and demand.”

Exactly………. Best post of the day. That might mean cutting costs here and there, raising cost on certain services and products…… but SUPPLY & DEMAND will prevail

If there is demand, some company will be there to supply it

Butch Cassidy

June 28th, 2012
3:09 pm

Stevie Ray – “What’s your point about AIG?”

That fact that they had to be bailed out to the tune of $182.5 billion dollars or else default on all their obligations. The fact that to this day they are still looking for buyers to purchase their assets. The fact that as an actuary, your claim of insurance companies always being solvent is BS.

Don’t feel bad, I was at Citi in 2008 when we had to get bailed out as well.

Brosephus™

June 28th, 2012
3:09 pm

Those Indian doctors won’t be able to help much in a few years communicating to you..

Wrong!! Many of those Indian doctors train and study in the USA to become licensed. Those coming on work visas still have to pass the US requirements to become licensed doctors, and guess what, they have to take the exams in English!! I guess you’re also afraid of the Nigerian doctors and nurses here already to, huh?

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:10 pm

Romney is gonna get his clock cleaned the OBAMA……..lol

Joseph

June 28th, 2012
3:10 pm

Here we go!:

You may want to read the CJ decision…

Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...

June 28th, 2012
3:10 pm

Bro,

I agree but the political cash ransom in the hands of the insurers will keep that option at bay for our lifetimes….no way any politician currently on the take from large hosptial systems and insurers are gonna risk that gravy train…sad eh?

That Black Guy

June 28th, 2012
3:11 pm

ralph

June 28th, 2012
10:24 am
So, all you GOP party and tea party members, please shut the *** up, The high court has ruled, end of story.
________________________________________________
Using this logic, the dems need to “shut the *** up” about Citizens United. “The high court has ruled, end of story.

Paul

June 28th, 2012
3:11 pm

Afternoon, G Mare 71

Are we smiling?

;-) ;-)

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:11 pm

I think this means even illegals can buy healthcare….HAHAHA, the irony ….

JamVet

June 28th, 2012
3:12 pm

No tax increases for me, Uncle Sam haters.

I’m a BIG time socialist who takes handouts from the VA. And acting like a good little Reagan Republican here, screw everyone else and their problems; it’s all about me!

But to that point, when are you chickenhawks gonna actually start supporting the troops instead of the wars?

If the 2010 health law is upheld by the Supreme Court, it would extend health coverage to thousands of the nation’s veterans, a new study says.

The study, released Thursday, said about 630,000 uninsured veterans would likely qualify for Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for the poor, which would be expanded under the law. In addition, 520,000 uninsured vets could qualify for subsidized health coverage in new marketplaces, or insurance exchanges.

“It is striking how many of the uninsured veterans would qualify for Medicaid under the ACA,” said co-author Genevieve Kenney, senior fellow for the non-partisan Urban Institute.

One in 10 of the nation’s 12.5 million non-elderly veterans report not having health insurance coverage and not using the Veterans Affairs health system, the study reported.

http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/05/25/study-shows-veterans-will-benefit-under-obamacare

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:13 pm

Citizens United wont help .. GOP is done…

Peadawg

June 28th, 2012
3:13 pm

larry
June 28th, 2012
3:07 pm

You don’t get it. Obama said many times it is NOT a tax.

Turns out it is.

Paul

June 28th, 2012
3:13 pm

From perusing the last few pages, I can announce, it’s official.

The talking points from the Republican leadership, talk radio and Fox News is, it isn’t about ACA.

It’s about PRES OBAMA IMPOSED A HUGE TAX ON EVERYBODY THAT WILL END LIVE AS WE KNOW IT!!!”

We’re gonna need more fainting couches. And popcorn. Lots and lots of popcorn!

Progressive Humanist

June 28th, 2012
3:14 pm

For all those making the case that this health care ruling will somehow inexplicably help Romney: http://www.electoral-vote.com/

The electoral vote was closer two weeks ago. Obama is widening his lead.

I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not

June 28th, 2012
3:14 pm

Bush’s Fault………….wouldn’t cash that check just yet.

Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...

June 28th, 2012
3:14 pm

BUTCH,

You are correct, all these companies are only as solvent as their S&P, Moody’s et al ratings are sound….AIG is unique as they were the market leader in selling CDO’s at 2% rate on line for portfolios criminally rated A+ or so by credit agencies….yes, I would say that any licensed insurer today with A rating is financially sound since the high risk investment crap, if any on hand, has been jettisoned from balance sheet.

May be useful to have an open mind and research the downside(s) of this legislation you so adore.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

June 28th, 2012
3:14 pm

TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX
TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:15 pm

Do we see a pattern developing .. The retards on the right sitting in the corner sucking there dumb day after day…… Wheres Joe the plumber when you need him…… please stop it ……..lol.

I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not

June 28th, 2012
3:15 pm

Me thinks this awakens a sleeping giant. The silent majority.

Peadawg

June 28th, 2012
3:15 pm

“TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX
TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX”

OBAMA LIED AGAIN OBAMA LIED AGAIN OBAMA LIED AGAIN

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:16 pm

Even Judge Roberts could’nt agree with the lunatic right anymore..

Boris Badnoff

June 28th, 2012
3:17 pm

Jubilation! Ecstasy! Rapture! Oh Joy! Rejoice Bookman Groupies! We have prevailed! Healthcare is free! It’s a gift from The Government. During the next four glorious years Our Beloved Messiah will give us free food, free housing, free transportation, free prostitutes, free drugs, free football tickets on the 50 yard line, free anything and everything. And it’s all provided by The Government absolutely free. Our Living God’s greatest gift to us mere mortals is he has finally eliminated the root of all evil: money. There will no longer be money because everything is free. No banks. No stock market. See something you want? Take it. It’s free.

Most appropriate that this blessed gift occurred today, two pi day. Pi day is March 14 because pi is 3.14. Today is 2 pi day 2 x 3.14 = 6.28. So go get your two pies and ask a prostitute for a free date. It don’t get no better than this.

Skip Caray

June 28th, 2012
3:17 pm

JOSEPH WINS! JOSEPH WINS! JOSEPH WINS!

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:17 pm

Once upon a time there was a republican party , a long long time ago…

Jefferson

June 28th, 2012
3:17 pm

Who don’t like taxes for services ?

Doggone/GA

June 28th, 2012
3:18 pm

“It really is a TAX…are you libs really that dense?”

Actually, no we’re not dense at all. We’ve always known it was a tax…it was just neccessary to keep the fiction that it wasn’t going so the Norquist true believers could put their hands on their hearts and say they never voted for a tax increase.

All a waste of time, as it turned out, since they didn’t vote for it anyway.

Peadawg

June 28th, 2012
3:18 pm

It would have been better for Obama if they had thrown is out OR ruled it constitutional under the commerce clause…either one.

But calling it a tax will hurt Obama.

Aquagirl

June 28th, 2012
3:19 pm

Wheres Joe the plumber when you need him…

Last I heard he was insisting gun control led to the holocaust. Be proud, Goopers.

Jefferson

June 28th, 2012
3:19 pm

It will be forgotton in about a week.

They BOTH suck

June 28th, 2012
3:19 pm

Forget the Joe the Plumber……

I’m waiting to hear Palin’s statement. I’m sure it will be profound

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:19 pm

You can call it a tax, I call it sweet justice …….

I'm a liberal and believe everything I read and nothing the other side comes up with...cause we're smart and they are not

June 28th, 2012
3:20 pm

Obama loses by 6-8 points.

Brosephus™

June 28th, 2012
3:20 pm

no way any politician currently on the take from large hosptial systems and insurers are gonna risk that gravy train…sad eh?

That’s why I’ve said our path to redemption begins with campaign finance reform. That holds true for all levels of government. Until you remove the influence of any and all outside money, nothing else will matter. As long as we allow corruption to go on unimpeded, we shouldn’t be surprised by the results of our lax attitudes.

Butch Cassidy

June 28th, 2012
3:20 pm

Stevie Ray – “May be useful to have an open mind and research the downside(s) of this legislation you so adore.”

Who said I adore it? I’m retired, pay for my own healthcare policy, and live off my substantial investment income. This legislation does absolutely nothing to either help or harm me. Unlike the rest of the posters here who think it’s the 2nd coming or the end of the world as we know it, I could literally care less about Obamacare save for the entertainment it provides me watching you guys piss all over yourselves in an attempt to prove a point.

Observation

June 28th, 2012
3:21 pm

Joseph has a man crush on Jay!!

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

June 28th, 2012
3:21 pm

OBAMA LIED AGAIN OBAMA LIED AGAIN OBAMA LIED AGAIN

A politician lied?

Say it isn’t so!

I’ll act all shocked and awey if it will make you feel any better, Seabiscuit.

Jefferson

June 28th, 2012
3:21 pm

Say Romney loses, will anyone in the GOP have anything nice to say about him ?

Finn McCool (The System Isn't Broken; It's Fixed ~ from an Occupy sign)

June 28th, 2012
3:22 pm

I see the House hemorrhage on Eric Holder can’t come quick enough to divert everyone’s attention from the GOP’s ACA problems.

I’m sure The Boner is is kicking himself for leaving a such a huge gap in time (meant for them to gloat, lol) before proceeding to the Holder vote.

sad, just sad.

Obama is over

June 28th, 2012
3:22 pm

The Obama team has a victory today. The largest tax increase in the history of the Republic has been approved. At least now the issues for November should be easier to understand. The concept of tax increases is much easier for the average American to understand than Obamacare. This tax affects everyone and not just the 1%. The so-called middle class will bear the majortiy of the burden. The legislation still does not address entitlement reform and only adds to our exploding debt in a very fragile economy. However, the SCOTUS decision does give the Pelosi/Reid crowd new political ammunition to cut deals for special interest group exemptions from Obamacare between now and November. Cut me a check today and I promise I will take care of you when I am re-elected. Let the lobbying begin.

stands for decibels

June 28th, 2012
3:22 pm

Could we have a “you libs” tax? Auto-deduct five bucks, every time it’s used.

We’ll have Medicare-for-all funded lickety split.

Mama Says

June 28th, 2012
3:23 pm

Auqa,

The point that you and all the Obama win folks miss is that this is not an Argument against healthcare it is an argument against giving even more power to the government.

I admire the effort to care for everyone, I hate the way you guys have come up with doing it.

Governments ability to tax us has now been drastically expanded. Since we are now changing the definition of things to support political ends ( be they good or bad) It is no longer a tool of finance but is now a tool of punishment.

You are punished by the government only after you are convicted by a court or your peers.

If you have ever gotten a red light camera ticket, when you weren’t driving you would know that the right to confront your accuser is now being weeded out of our constitution.

The fact that you were not driving the car is irrelivent to the government, they want the money. The cases they were losing by the normal process of criminally prosecuting people and then fining them is being replaced with a civil process by which you are denied your right to trial.

Redefining punishment as taxation is doing the same thing. You have no right to trial or defense, you simply are deemed to be a violator and fined.

It’s a theroy of the basic rights under our system, they are rapidly being taken away

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:23 pm

If Romney got beat by Mclame want do you thonk Obama going to do to him…..Righties its time to embrace the suck….losers….

stands for decibels

June 28th, 2012
3:23 pm

dang, ain’t nobody callin’ SHEETZ any more?

Place is going to heck in a handbasket.

Mishap

June 28th, 2012
3:23 pm

Not too sure about the argument about existing companies dropping coverage to pay the fine. Couldn’t companies today have just skipped coverage to begin with and not paid any fines and shaved 5-10k/employee they pay now? Only companies that don’t offer coverage now (or have an extremely lowly paid workforce) will be pushed to buy it or pay the fine.

Brosephus™

June 28th, 2012
3:23 pm

Jubilation! Ecstasy! Rapture! Oh Joy! Rejoice Bookman Groupies! We have prevailed! Healthcare is free! It’s a gift from The Government. During the next four glorious years Our Beloved Messiah will give us free food, free housing, free transportation, free prostitutes, free drugs, free football tickets on the 50 yard line, free anything and everything. And it’s all provided by The Government absolutely free.

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Jefferson

June 28th, 2012
3:24 pm

President Lincoln spoke of the bribes and saw it coming, the bribes must stop before all Americans can thrive.

Peadawg

June 28th, 2012
3:24 pm

“A politician lied?”

So it’s ok?

“Seabiscuit.”

Damn after all this time you obviously still have no clue what that means. If you’re going to steal my line, atleast use it correctly.

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:24 pm

Chief Justice Roberts singlehandedly saves ObamaCare

Finn McCool (The System Isn't Broken; It's Fixed ~ from an Occupy sign)

June 28th, 2012
3:24 pm

What you smokin’, Boris?

Recon 0311 2533

June 28th, 2012
3:25 pm

For those who’re gazing at the electoral map getting cerebral orgasms by the delusional image of Obama being swept into a second term, I’ve got some sad news. It tells you nothing at this stage of the campaign. Check the state polls in late September and for now check voter attitudes on the issues for a more accurate read on the presidential race status. Sorry if upset your orgasms with a reality jolt.

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:25 pm

Who cares about citizens united when you have the Chief Justice

Obama is over

June 28th, 2012
3:25 pm

Butch @ 3:20
I agree with you. Unfortunately Obamacare increases dividend taxes to 43% for incomes over $200k and 1% tax exempt yields are not too sexy.

Dekalb comments

June 28th, 2012
3:25 pm

Peadawg @ 3:15

I personally have no issue calling it a fee, a tax, or whatever. If you want to consume healthcare you need to take personal responsibility. Either you obtain minimal coverage or you pay a TAX. The intention is to encourage you to have minimal coverage to ensure that when the $1,500 you have in your savings account isn’t enough to be private pay for a $25,000 operation, those already insured don’t end up paying for you. Today I am paying a TAX for those that don’t have insurance through higher premiums.

I have a friend in the Dallas area who is a hospital administrator. He told me that between 12-15% of every charge to PAYING customers is to cover for those that are uninsured. That is a tax of 12-15% on each one of us that do pay for our care either outright or through insurance premiums.

One fallacy that seems to be out there is that everyone is covered today because they can go to the emergency room and get “free care”. Well, as noted above, that care is currently free to them today but a tax on me. Further the only legal obligation those providers has is to stablize a patient. So if you have a heart attack they have to get you stabilized but there is no legal requirement to provide rehabilitation, ongoing care management, etc.

So yes I’m glad we are finally going to tax the freeloaders. Tax the freeloaders!!!! I am tired of paying for them.

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:27 pm

VIVA LA CORTE SUPREMA !

Paul

June 28th, 2012
3:27 pm

Jefferson

“Say Romney loses, will anyone in the GOP have anything nice to say about him ?”

Unfortunately, no.

Their line will be “He was a RINO. Not conservative enough. Not a true Republican.”

Then they’ll set about finding someone who fits their ideal, thereby guaranteeing Democrats another win in 2016.

They BOTH suck

June 28th, 2012
3:27 pm

Recon

Sounds like sour grapes my friend. Nothing more, nothing less

Mama Says

June 28th, 2012
3:28 pm

Mishap,

They could have done that but the business factor prevented it.

If coke pays for your insurance and Pepsi didn’t most people would want to work for coke.

Now coke can be like Pepsi, save money and keep its employees.

Jefferson

June 28th, 2012
3:29 pm

Peopla act like tax money is theirs, if it was theirs they would still have it now wouldn’t they. Live in the real world not some made up anger GOP world.

ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT

June 28th, 2012
3:29 pm

At least the president is trying to fix the problem. Not just selling out the American people like the GOP.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

June 28th, 2012
3:30 pm

Damn after all this time you obviously still have no clue what that means. If you’re going to steal my line, atleast use it correctly.

.

It

.

means

.

that

.

you

.

have

.

blinders

.

on.

.

Geez….

.

I

.

know

.

that

.

a

.

politician

.

will

.

lie,

.

while

.

it

.

is

.

painfully

.

obvious

.

that

.

you

.

don’t

.

see

.

that,

.

hence

.

the

.

Seabiscuit

.

reference.

G Mare 71(PLEASE VOTE NO ON TSPLOST)

June 28th, 2012
3:30 pm

Paul@3:11, OH YEAH! :)

JamVet

June 28th, 2012
3:31 pm

Skip, actually Joesph reminds me of some of those demented Pirates fans who swore that Bream was out at the plate. (I’m not kidding, they actually exist…)

At any rate, here’s to Barry Bonds and his woefully off-line throw home…

Mama Says

June 28th, 2012
3:32 pm

Just remember your support for this new government right to punish libs..

You will not like it when cons have the same power.

Maybe you will understand the powerful government argument then.

Brosephus™

June 28th, 2012
3:35 pm

Mama Says

I don’t think repealing regulations qualify as punishment.

Just sayin’…

Mama Says

June 28th, 2012
3:35 pm

Like Bush, Obama will be here 8 years max. The precedent in juris prudence is here forever.

Recon 0311 2533

June 28th, 2012
3:36 pm

TBS, no sour grapes here I liked the outcome. I think Roberts made a careful analysis of the bill and its compatibility with our constitution and ruled accordingly. He didn’t rule favorably on the AHA bills merits or lack thereof, he’s handing it to the voters to make that determination and you can be certain this will put the Obama campaign on defense because it will now be a hot button campaign issue that the Republicans will be attacking on offense. Remember this bill doesn’t enjoy popularity among the majority of voters.

Mama Says

June 28th, 2012
3:37 pm

Taxing you more if you do not do something does though Bro.

Peadawg

June 28th, 2012
3:37 pm

I don’t think you exactly know what “having on blinders” means, Kam. Keep trying though, sport.

TaxPayer

June 28th, 2012
3:40 pm

Republicans are in such misery I just don’t have the heart to interject. I need a bag of popcorn.

Tundra Dude

June 28th, 2012
3:40 pm

Where’s Joe the plumber when you need him……

Last time I checked, he’s still not a licensed plumber.
40 years old, with lots of otj experience, and still unable to pass the test.
His trailer park constituents in Ohio think he’s brilliant,
would make a good congresscritter.

St Simons - he-ne-ha

June 28th, 2012
3:41 pm

oh, lawd, you ought to see the boatloads, i mean oceanliner loads
of doctors piled up 16 deep on the docks waitin to leave the country
down here, so they can practice their love on women in a freeeee
innerprise kuntry…….wait….

Brosephus™

June 28th, 2012
3:46 pm

Taxing you more if you do not do something does though Bro.

And when was the last time the GOP voluntarily voted to raise somebody’s taxes? Grover ain’t gonna let that happen. The GOP is all about tax cuts and repealing regulations now. Neither one of those are viable forms of punishment, unless you’re considering wrecking the economy or environment as punishment.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

June 28th, 2012
3:47 pm

I don’t think you exactly know what “having on blinders” means, Kam.

I see, you require pictures.

http://www.nontoxin.com/wp-content/uploads/horse-blinders.jpg

From the wiki: Many racehorse trainers believe these keep the horse focused on what is in front of him, encouraging him to pay attention to the race rather than other distractions, such as crowds.

I understand that all politicians lie, Peadawg. If it suits your political sensibilities to be shocked every time any president comes on TeeVee and prevaricates, then guess what — the blinders are keeping you focused on exactly what your trainer desires.

Paul

June 28th, 2012
3:47 pm

Mama Says

June 28th, 2012
3:48 pm

Taxpayer,

I am not rich, do not own a business nor am I uninsured. I do not dread the fate of medical care I dread the erosion of the very foundation of our constitution. And the fact that freedom is no longer something we can say we are in this country.

I could never list the huge amount of things that the government controls in our lives, this is just another.

From my big gulp in New York to my appendix surgery, everything in my life is controlled by our government.

We need to understand that

Peadawg

June 28th, 2012
3:51 pm

“I see, you require pictures.”

No, I know what it means seeing as I started it on here.

Take your own advice.

Mama Says

June 28th, 2012
3:55 pm

Again Bro,

Your statement is true

However imposing taxation via phrasing it as penalty is wrong either way.

If this is a tax and it will stand as such then the fact that congress will not pass new taxes has been usurped.

Since taxation is a congressional issue Obama, in his attempt to provide healthcare just redefined our entire republic.

No longer do the elected reps of the people have a voice in tax policy.

Besides,

I suspect that if the government were more frugal with what they take most of us wouldn’t mind more taxes. We know that isn’t the case though don’t we.

Tom(Independent-Viet Vet USAF)

June 28th, 2012
3:56 pm

TundraDude@3;40 – So a plumber is not qualified to serve and I guess a Community Organizer( alas a legal scholar) is?? Couldn’t be any worst. New motto, biggest TAX INCREASE in history of this country, belongs to who?? You guessed it, Barack Hussein Obama!!! It’s no longer Bush’s fault now!!!!

Brosephus™

June 28th, 2012
4:00 pm

However imposing taxation via phrasing it as penalty is wrong either way.

What about phrasing it as “fees”?

I suspect that if the government were more frugal with what they take most of us wouldn’t mind more taxes. We know that isn’t the case though don’t we.

I disagree. The state of Georgia has been more and more frugal with taxes, both by GOP policy and by necessity by decreased tax revenues. I haven’t heard many people say they don’t mind paying more taxes in Georgia to help the state. I haven’t heard businesses say they don’t mind paying more taxes to benefit the state. People still want tax cuts, and the legislators here are still trying to provide them.

It’s a lifestyle now, and I don’t see it changing in the near future. It has nothing to do with frugality anymore. That ship sailed long ago.

Mama Says

June 28th, 2012
4:10 pm

I won’t argue anymore.

We will have to live with the court precedent for the rest of our lives. The new powers will not be so appreciated when it’s republicans using them.

It’s sad that WE could not solve this issue without losing more freedom, but the majority wins.

All I am saying is that in 20 years please remember you celebrated, unknowingly, the new power you have blessed on our politicians.

LMFAO

June 28th, 2012
4:17 pm

The squeaky wheels just awoke a sleeping giant.

Hank Reardon

June 28th, 2012
4:19 pm

Those who deny reason can’t be conquered by it. Oh, you poor sheeple.

bookman parrot

June 28th, 2012
4:21 pm

rot in hell the turds that upheld this travesty

Hey Rightwingers

June 28th, 2012
4:23 pm

Can’t you see the people blindly cheering on this blog want to see America brought to it’s knees? Not everyone loves this country.

Suggs

June 28th, 2012
4:25 pm

Is it true that on page 2237 of the bill that 95% of all healthcare will be outsourced to China and Mexico?

Joe

June 28th, 2012
4:27 pm

If it looks like Greece and smells like Greece, it must be the Obama administration.

Brosephus™

June 28th, 2012
4:33 pm

We will have to live with the court precedent for the rest of our lives. The new powers will not be so appreciated when it’s republicans using them.

That’s just the thing. There’s no new precedent in this case. Roberts stated that the mandate was not supported by the commerce clause. He twisted and contorted to say that it was constitutional under Congress’ ability to levy taxes. Basically, he equated the ACA with Social Security. If it’s supported by a tax, it’s ok. If it’s not, then it’s unconstitutional.

There is no new government power springing from this decision.

DebbieDoRight - Chocolate Coverered, Freak And Habit Forming

June 28th, 2012
4:35 pm

DDR – Whats up? Love the moniker

Hiya Both!!! I’m just chillin! Got the moniker from SoCoBro, (He got it from PFunk); was listening to PFunk last night and decided to steal it from SoCo because he’s a no-good-tree-killing BAMA Lover!!

Other than that………… :)

boots

June 28th, 2012
4:48 pm

Let’s give it a year and see what is left of Obamacare. Not much. Meanwhile, let’s all enjoy life now because if it DID stand, which it won’t, our country will no longer be a superpower within 15 years.

robert

June 28th, 2012
4:51 pm

How do you know that this is such a great thing? None of you know what exactly is in the bill, how it will affect small business. Will their be rationing in order to afford the whole package? Will the government basically assign your doctor? Will waiting times for treatment increase by google plex since patient info will have to navigate thru some bumbling albatross of a bureaucracy? All legitimate questions. People shouldnt be so preoccupied with what the perceive as a victory over a side of the aisle they dont like. The devil is in the details here.

Tom(Independent-Viet Vet USAF)

June 28th, 2012
4:56 pm

robert@4:51 – About reading the bill, do not forget about what Princess Pelosi said, ” we have to pass it before we can read what is in it”!! She should be the next in line to run for the POTUS when Obama is thru!!! She is truly a great leader!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

June 28th, 2012
5:11 pm

…do not forget about what Princess Pelosi said, ” we have to pass it before we can read what is in it”!!

She never said that, sport.

Do a little research before you use quotation marks.