THE MANDATE IS CONSTITUTIONAL

[Captain Oates 911]

Here is a comment from a reader on volokh on the issue of single payer.

Roberts made them sell their liberal souls for his vote. Beyond having them endorse the solid right position on the commerce clause he made them agree to renounce their one realistic route to actual single payer, the universal expansion of medicaid. Whether this is an Ender or sucker move remains to be seen, but the chief justice did not join the liberals for free.

it's not a totally nose rub in the dog dirt then ?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Here is a comment from a reader on volokh on the issue of single payer.

Roberts made them sell their liberal souls for his vote. Beyond having them endorse the solid right position on the commerce clause he made them agree to renounce their one realistic route to actual single payer, the universal expansion of medicaid. Whether this is an Ender or sucker move remains to be seen, but the chief justice did not join the liberals for free.

If and when we go to single payer, it will be an expansion of medicare and a payroll tax, but I'm doubtful we'll see that happen within the next few decades.

[Captain Oates 911]

I wonder if the Oklahoma militia will try and kill Roberts

He shouldn't go near the bible belt - those people have guns ! (cousin vinny)

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

This whole Roberts thing is silly.... Justices are more conservative or more liberal... they are not Republican or Democrat. They interpret the constitution and precedents as they are, either more strictly or less strictly; they do not cater to the whims of any party.

The individual mandate was a Republican idea, when the Democrats were trying to get to a single payer system. This argument has been going on for decades. So Obama makes good on his promise to "reach across the aisle" and came up with something that should be palatable for everyone. Instead, the Republicans move further to the right and say their own idea is no good anymore because it is coming from Obama. Of course this is a win, overall, for the insurance companies. They aren't being forced out of business, like they would in a single-payer system. They still get to make millions off of sick people and fly around in private jets. Still, this is a compromise that is way better than staying in the "old" system.

Edited June 28, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This whole Roberts thing is silly.... Justices are more conservative or more liberal... they are not Republican or Democrat. They interpret the constitution and precedents as they are, either more strictly or less strictly; they do not cater to the whims of any party.

The individual mandate was a Republican idea, when the Democrats were trying to get to a single payer system. This argument has been going on for decades. So Obama makes good on his promise to "reach across the aisle" and came up with something that should be palatable for everyone. Instead, the Republicans move further to the right and say their own idea is no good anymore because it is coming from Obama. Of course this is a win, overall, for the insurance companies. They aren't being forced out of business, like they would in a single-payer system. They still get to make millions off of sick people and fly around in private jets. Still, this is a compromise that is way better than staying in the "old" system.

Spot on.

[k man12 4]

Apparently the SCOTUS upheld the entire mandate, including the individual mandate.

Congrats to Obama, Dems and all Americans of good sense. God bless the USA.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

This whole Roberts thing is silly.... Justices are more conservative or more liberal... they are not Republican or Democrat. They interpret the constitution and precedents as they are, either more strictly or less strictly; they do not cater to the whims of any party.

The individual mandate was a Republican idea, when the Democrats were trying to get to a single payer system. This argument has been going on for decades. So Obama makes good on his promise to "reach across the aisle" and came up with something that should be palatable for everyone. Instead, the Republicans move further to the right and say their own idea is no good anymore because it is coming from Obama. Of course this is a win, overall, for the insurance companies. They aren't being forced out of business, like they would in a single-payer system. They still get to make millions off of sick people and fly around in private jets. Still, this is a compromise that is way better than staying in the "old" system.

Best post in this whole thread.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Best post in this whole thread.

Speaking of which, I would actually like to hear some of our RWNJ members' opinions on this. I wonder where they all went?

[^_^ 5,021]

Speaking of which, I would actually like to hear some of our RWNJ members' opinions on this. I wonder where they all went?

Haven't you heard?

#FullRepeal

[Captain Oates 911]

This whole Roberts thing is silly.... Justices are more conservative or more liberal... they are not Republican or Democrat. They interpret the constitution and precedents as they are, either more strictly or less strictly; they do not cater to the whims of any party.

The individual mandate was a Republican idea, when the Democrats were trying to get to a single payer system. This argument has been going on for decades. So Obama makes good on his promise to "reach across the aisle" and came up with something that should be palatable for everyone. Instead, the Republicans move further to the right and say their own idea is no good anymore because it is coming from Obama. Of course this is a win, overall, for the insurance companies. They aren't being forced out of business, like they would in a single-payer system. They still get to make millions off of sick people and fly around in private jets. Still, this is a compromise that is way better than staying in the "old" system.

Very moderate and considered - are you sure you are in the correct forum ?

I really do recommend Aneurin Bevan's book "In place of fear"

He said he got the NHS up and running by "stuffing their mouths with gold" - he was referring to the doctors and the medical business generally

Later, when it was irreversible, he snatched it back and made them think about the patient and stop lining their own greedy pockets

I hope Obama has a copy of the book

I was born under private health where one in 20 babies died and only the employee was covered (very basic) - not their family

My birth was in hospital and part funded by the co-operative movement and the rest was paid off at a shilling per week until I grew a beard

I was well worth it !

The Tories/Republicans did not care whether I or my mother died but they do now, or the public would not give them a single vote

This profiteering off people's misery is a disgrace and the US has dragged it's heels too long without caring about basic humanitarian need in its own country

On the minus side, my wife will be able to early retire in a health pool and will hang around with me all day when I could be at the gun club converting the neanderthal red necks to the path of righteousness and enlightenment

[SMOKE 1,426]

now thats done. when does healthcare become less expensive?

[rocks 494]

Betsy McCaughey just said on Fox News that the law was too long?

The next congress they elect should put this 2572 page law in the paper shredder and give us a 20 page bill in plain, honest English that members of congress and the public can actually read.

Because many of them didn't read it before it was passed?

No one read it, that's exactly the problem. So, many politicians really didn't know that this is in essence a tax that moves the United States far more toward a socialist, European style state where the government collects a large share of your earnings and then provides your needs rather than depending on you to make decisions yourself.

So the law is too long for congress? Maybe we should have a congress that is capable of reading?

Not sure where she pulled the "large share of your earnings" from? I've never paid so much in taxes as I have for health insurance. The end of the sentence turned into ramblings that didn't make sense.

Edited June 28, 2012 by rocks

[^_^ 5,021]

Reading is hard work, yo.

[JohnR! 5,495]

This whole Roberts thing is silly.... Justices are more conservative or more liberal... they are not Republican or Democrat. They interpret the constitution and precedents as they are, either more strictly or less strictly; they do not cater to the whims of any party.

The individual mandate was a Republican idea, when the Democrats were trying to get to a single payer system. This argument has been going on for decades. So Obama makes good on his promise to "reach across the aisle" and came up with something that should be palatable for everyone. Instead, the Republicans move further to the right and say their own idea is no good anymore because it is coming from Obama. Of course this is a win, overall, for the insurance companies. They aren't being forced out of business, like they would in a single-payer system. They still get to make millions off of sick people and fly around in private jets. Still, this is a compromise that is way better than staying in the "old" system.

I think you nailed it!

This has been the MO for ages. When 'they' agree with 'us' then 'we' must change 'our' position, lest it be understood 'we all' agree on something.

Edited June 28, 2012 by Gegel

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Wow! Roberts effectively went out of his way to support this. Had a viewed it only along the commerce clause it would have been gone.