On the eve of the ObamaCare decision and the Holder contempt hearing I thought this post would be a great reminder of a common tactic by the left, but in the real world the tactic is called insanity.
It’s Bush’s fault!
ON MONDAY, I responded to James Fallows’s charge that the American right has effected a “long-term coup”, which began, by his lights, with the Bush v Gore decision in 2001. I countered by quoting a New York Times report on the recount of ballots in Florida undertaken by a consortium of newspapers following the controversial election and decision. The consortium said George W. Bush would have won even if the Supreme Court hadn’t cut recount efforts short. Tim Carney of the Washington Examiner had made the same point, to which Jonathan Chait of New York magazine replied, arguing that Bush v Gore really did “steal” the presidency from Al Gore. Mr Carney then offered a rejoinder, which I consider dispositive. Basically, the recount consortium showed that, (a) had the Supreme Court deferred to Florida’s Supreme Court, Mr Bush would have won anyway, and (b) had the Supreme Court granted the Gore campaign’s request for a recount in just four Gore-leaning counties, Mr Bush still would have won. The consortiumdid find that Mr Gore might have won under a recount with certain parameters, and it is upon this interesting footnote that Mr Chait hangs his argument. But Mr Gore’s campaign did not call for a recount to be undertaken within these parameters, and there’s no reason one would have been conducted had the Supreme Court ruled in Mr Gore’s favour.
This is very interesting, but why is it again that we’re rehashing an 11-year-old controversy? Because certain liberals are anxious that the Supreme Court will overturn portions of Obamacare, and they wish to call into question the court’s legitimacy in advance of the decision. The idea seems to be that in the nearby possible world in which Al Gore won the Florida recount, lo these many years, a liberal majority would now rule the high court and there would be no serious question about the constitutionality of the individual mandate. And, this line of thinking erroneously continues, since this is how things actually would be if only the conservative court majority in 2001 had not stolen the election from Mr Gore, it’s only right to see every 5-4 decision since then as an illegitimate ramification of the original injustice. It’s a neat idea, so I can see why liberals wish it were true.
They started this line of justification months ago:
Appearing on the Daily Rundown, March 30th, NPR’s Nina Totenberg complained, “[But] because of the Bush appointments, which were very, very, very conservative, the Court has become so much more conservative.”
So if it’s struck down tomorrow expect to hear this line of argument over and over again. If it isn’t then this crap complaint will disappear, at least until the next ruling that they don’t like.
See author page
Obama has been at the forefront.
Remember:
Obama:
AND:
How stupid does Obama think the American people are?
The Supreme Court (appointed by PRESIDENTS, such as himself, twice) overturns laws all the time!
But I think stupid people are Obama’s constituency.
He hopes there are enough stupid people to swallow his swill.
You realize, of course, that we will most likely see republicans celebrating a Supreme Court decision overturning critical components of the Health Care Reform Act later today.
If so, it will be very interesting to see how the loss of all that the Health Care Reform Act was designed to remedy plays to the average American voter during the 4 months leading up to the elections. After all, the GOP hasn’t got any alternative to roll out.
There’s that, and Issa’s contempt vote on the same day.
I have one word to to offer for your consideration:
Backlash.
Looks like Greg’s got his diaper in a twist.
“Obamacare” has already forced insurance and medical product good producers to increase operation costs by regulations and on new taxations on services, purchased resources to needed operate, and on final sold goods. This in turn has caused the medical field see shortages, price increases and insurance companies litearlly issuing out letters to clients detailing which part of the Bill is causing prices to go up. So why do you still keep thinking this, “saves” Americans? Do you want the majority of the work force having to file bankruptcy or be viewed as violating Federal Law and have to pay maybe two to three weeks’ worth of wages in Fines or face jail for failing to comply with IRS because they can’t pay grossly inflated Insurance mandated by Government?
This Bill is the equal of bashing the goose that laid the golden egg over the head and expecting it to fill the room with golden eggs.
Silly me, I thought anyone sitting on the court should only favor the law of the constitution, regardless of politics left or right!
Greg tends to ignore the facts, the majority of Americans want Obama Care repealed and believe Holder is guilty.
I think Obama is feeling the backlash of his arrogance and of trying to implement an imperial presidency.
In a few months, when the basketball and golf play time is over, there are no more private concerts or celebrity fund raisers to attend, he can once again put his vast literary skills to work and have Bill Ayers write another best seller on how Bush ruined his presidency and his legacy; unfortunately, Bill might expect a share of the royalties this time around, he seems a little pissed that Zero has absconded with all the proceeds without kicking back to the guy who did all the work.
A Leftist court can be expected to maintain party discipline; this is the beauty of Progressive Socialism, the ultimate goal of the party takes precedence over everything, thus a Leftist court can be relied upon to always vote in a predictable manner, regardless of the principles of the Constitution. Marx defined the idea, with the dictum, the ends justify the means; consequently, if the Constitution is in alignment with Marxist philosophy on a particular issue, there is reason to celebrate, but in most cases, the Constitution is irrelevant and of insignificant value when compared to the Progressive goals. This is one of the reasons we are fighting a losing battle; our efforts to preserve the Constitution are like dust in the wind when the Progressives have control of government. We were lucky in that Obama and company were so incompetent as to be ineffectual.
@Nan G: He knows the American people are stupid — they proved that by electing the sob
If SCOTUS defies the Constitution and rules this to be constitutional, a real possibility given the Court’s track record for the last century or so, then we can blame the appointment of Kagan to the bench. Her vote is most likely the main factor as to why she was chosen for the Court. The R’s who voted for her share the blame if this is upheld.
@Greg: Once again you fail to realize that 0-bama and the Democrats are to blame for the delay in health care reform. They failed to pass a healthcare reform bill that is Constitutional so really they did do anything constructive but rather destructive and wasted 4 years in the process. They actually have done far worse than nothing!!
@Greg: I have one word to offer all wacho liberals, reality!!
@Greg:
Aren’t we seeing backlash now? A healthcare plan that was rammed through for approval against the will of the people. The polling for the plan is pretty pathetic. You can see for yourself, but around 50% of the people disapprove of the law, and less than 40% approve.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/obama_and_democrats_health_care_plan-1130.html
And aren’t we seeing backlash because a candidate lied about how he would debate this plan? About how all sides would be listened to and how transparent it would be? To the point that the debates would be televised on CSPAN?
My premiums went up 28% this year. I now pay more than $11,000 a year for health insurance. That is for myself, my wife, and our youngest son. It is not a “Cadillac” plan. My deductibles are very high and no one in my family goes to the doctor very often.
What the hell will anyone on the right be celebrating for if SCOTUS overturns this monstrosity. It’s not like the insurance companies are going to give us back the money. Obama, Pelosi and Reid have already screwed us.
@Greg: I’m not sure Obamacare remedied much. From what I’ve seen, everyone wants a reform of healthcare (despite the despicable, vote-inducing propaganda of the left), but this should have been a thought-out, bipartisan process, not something to be forced down everyone’s throats. I was watching CSPAN when it passed back in 2010, and they showed the vote differential. Not a single GOP vote. The announcer said that, historically, when one party gets something through without the support of the other–i.e. they steamroll everyone else–there is hell to pay.
Today is payday, I’m afraid. And even if they don’t strike it down, this battle will go on for years, all due to an immature conflict incited by the Democrats.
Oh, and any backlash will be from those who already vote Democrat, poor exploited souls that they are. Pelosi and Obama wanted a war, and they got it. Way to divide the country further.
@Mr. Irons: Indeed. I have a loved one that works in long-term care (nursing homes) and no one likes Obamacare. All the doctors they work with won’t take someone on Medicaid, so that’s made it tough for everyone. The more “free” healthcare is, the worse it is.
Looks like SCOTUS got one right!
@Nathan Blue: Right — ya get what ya pay for — except of course with the ussa gobmint — evryone else thinks they are gonna get what someone else pays for.
I like Roberts’ copout. He said the mandate was unconstitutional under the Commerce Clause, but should be upheld because of Congress’s power to tax. Obama said the bill didn’t contain any taxes. Oh well, a dark, dark day for the Constitution.
We are screwed. the scotus upheld the obamacare. Here’s what it means for my brother. (If you do not believe me, read the law BEFORE you speak) He has progressive MS; he has use of only one arm. He cannot walk, he cannot even go to the bathroom by himself. He has no productive life. Therefore he is in jeopardy of losing his health care. IF he doesn’t get kicked out of the home he now lives he will be fortunate but remains to be seen. However he will be given a pill and told to wheel into a corner to wait and die. My brother is only 47.
People who are over 75 – and these are the people supporting the deathcarelaw which is actually ironic. If you are 75 you will be denied surgeries (e.g., hearts, livers, back issues, cancers, etc.) and given a pill to go into the corner and die. The funds used for these surgeries need to be used for the younger population.
Unborn babies – As one of the congressmen (forget his name but can find it) said during a meeting, ‘we have to support abortion in the plan because too many babies being born puts a burden on the health care system’.
So people young and old with issues that render them unproductive (e.g., MS, downs syndrome, etc.); people over 75 and unborn babies are toast.
Now what about all of these illegal who pay NOTHING. They continue to get care at our taxpayer expense and now the expenses are bigger.
Oh yes BTW, there were many ear marks in there to get those turncoat democrats and republicans to vote for this law and after 12/31/2012 when you sell your house, you have to pay a TAX on the proceeds.
Let’s not forget the dozen or more tax increases that are attached to this law. The only hope we have is to go to the polls in November and vote this communist out of office and get Romney to repeal the law (which he can)
upset? You betcha
Well, now you won’t have to hear that—(it’s all Bush’s fault)—even though liberals are accused of this ploy by conservatives far more than is actually the case.
@Cary:
Logically…we are now on the path to true bankrupcy.
Anybody who thinks these collected monies will actually go to healthcare, is on a wet dream…just as SS has gone to all the Lib fantasy programs over the years.
Just one big pocket of cash, to spend as they see fit.
I guess Obama lied when he promised not to raise tax on middle class citizens.
The ”mandate” is a tax.
And it is a HUGE tax.
$695 or 2&1/2% of your entire income in 2016.
@Enchanted:
I think Plan A (repeal the law) is still the best way to do this. But I think there is a hint of genius in Robert’s way of taking this. He wrote for the majority, which gives it pretty heavy validation. Since the mandate is now a tax and not part of the Commerce Claus, the current congress and all future congresses have no obligation to abide by the tax. They can simply write it out. It’s basically as if the mandate has been struck down anyway. Now let’s see if the republicans have the balls to do it.
Here is the decision in its entirety. Given the leaks of late, some probably knew the outcome before today.
http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/11-393c3a2.pdf
I’m not agreeing with it, but I understand the caveat inserted to preclude a finding of “unconstitutionality.” The up-tax on those who don’t buy it…unbelievable. Forced? No. Coerced? Yes
Now the States. Forced? No. Coerced? Yes.
This is only going to divide the country further, especially the growing war between state and federal government. While I’m sure Obama will drum this up as a victory, and voter with critical thinking skills should wonder why–a poorly written bill with only one goal in mind: to give people the pretense that the Dems did something good, instead of actually doing something good.
Obamacare makes all of our healthcare problems worse, and I challenge you to find me someone in the healthcare profession who says otherwise.
And this administration moves us further into a figurative “civil war.”
@Nan G: Always a hidden cost with administration, eh? They promised us free ice cream while stealing our wallets. Not free. Not even a deal.
And there no ice cream…only the cult of personality and the grabbing of power.
@Keyser Söze:
If I buy health insurance, I’m pretty sure I’ll be buying health insurance. If I don’t buy health insurance, then I’ll get a tax. Pretty much the same way I get taxed for not being married… or for not having kids… or not having a mortgage…. or not claiming what I give to charity…
If I don’t buy health insurance, I’ll eventually get sick anyway. THEN who will pay for my health care?! Probably tax payers….
I think I like the idea of buying health insurance. Funny how most people complaining that they are being forced to buy something already have it.
@Cary:
From whom will you be buying insurance from?
The Act was designed to put insurance companies out of business…for their coffers will not be able to compete with the coffers of the Fed and regulations which will be imposed. If you have doubts about regulations, study the EPA assault on coal and coal fired power plants.
Also because it has been ruled a tax, your premiums will be deducted directly from your check, in the same manner SS is deducted.
If you should find a good policy, please update me.
@Keyser Söze:
Differently plans are good for different people, though just like anything else in life, none are perfect. I found one that works for me, considering my needs and income. I don’t qualify for employer insurance, since my work is freelance/seasonal. Though I do get lower rates for being a non-smoker, having a gym membership, and for being single. Sorry, I can’t help you, not knowing anything about you. Try Google, that’s where I started.
@Cary:
Laws have consequences. To say congress has the power to tax without limits so it can push something you feel is right, is a very bad idea. So congress now has this power, and eventually power shifts between the parties. What happens if congress decides that you need to own a gun, and if you don’t own a gun, you will be taxed. What if congress decides that one of the car companies needs a little extra help, and that if you want to buy a car while they are trying to prop up this car company, you need to buy a car from them or be taxed for buying something else.
The federal government does not need any more power, they have more than they should have right now.
@Liberal1 (objectivity):
You really must hide under a rock to try and deny your side of any wrong doings…
Obama is the new Bush. They are acting on behalf of the interests of the Bourgeoisie, the wealthy billionaire industrial and finance capital class. His health care plan is a mechanism too privatize health insurance even further. We will all be forced to buy junk insurance with high deductibles and premiums. Obama’s health care plan is backed by nearlyl every conservative out there. There will be 23 million more uninsured by 2014. In Pennsyvlania this year, 2013, Obama and governor Corbett, a dem and a rep. cut 85,000 children off of medicaid. Obama is the CEO of finance capital. He is more conservative than Bush. THERE IS NO SINGLE PAYER UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE PLAN!
You have no grasp on reality if you think Obama is conservative. There is nothing good about obam’s socialist takeover of the US healthcare system. Obamacare was designed to fail so more socialist moonbats would start screaming for the complete takeover by government of the healthcare system. Once that happens don’t expect any sympathy from those of us who warned about the coming disaster.