The mandate's threat to individual liberty

[30ashopper]

Fairly stated, this is the conservative constitutional argument: Health care for all is a good cause. But if, in the name of that noble goal, you construe Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce so broadly as to encompass individual choices that have never previously been thought of as commercial, much less interstate, there would be nothing left of the commerce clause's restraints on Congress's power. And then, the argument goes, Congress would be free to impose far more intrusive mandates. Judge Vinson suggested that Congress "could require that people buy and consume broccoli at regular intervals," and that is hardly the most absurd or mischievous imaginable consequence.

PostPartisan - Give me liberty or give me health care

The crux of the problem, it's no so much what the mandate does, it's the precedent it sets. This law, if improperly found constitutional, stands to significantly broaden the authority of the Federal Government beyond all boundaries we've set over the last two hundred and fifty years. It?s easy to see how this new precedent could have a substantial negative impact on our individual liberty. I?m reminded of that old Acton quote, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

For progressives, please consider that this expansion of federal powers will also apply to republican politicians. If that doesn?t strike fear in your heart, I don?t know what could.

 

[Geo]

Disclaimer: I oppose the mandate. I wanted a public option.

Question- why didn't Republicans, tea partiers, righties take such issue with a health care mandate when it was THEIR idea? Why wasn't it unconstitutional or scary socialism then?

I suppose that some felt the same way about it all along. But I can't help but think most people oppose it because it is "Obamacare" and they want it to be Obama's Waterloo.

You guys are aware that many of the policies advanced by democrats were recently republican ideas, no????

 

[AndrewG]

Obama has many disasters this is just another one on the list.

Geo I wasn't aware Repubs had proposed this. You have a link?

 

[30ashopper]

Disclaimer: I oppose the mandate. I wanted a public option.

Question- why didn't Republicans, tea partiers, righties take such issue with a health care mandate when it was THEIR idea? Why wasn't it unconstitutional or scary socialism then?

I suppose that some felt the same way about it all along. But I can't help but think most people oppose it because it is "Obamacare" and they want it to be Obama's Waterloo.

You guys are aware that many of the policies advanced by democrats were recently republican ideas, no????

Not me. I'm opposed to violations of the Constitution no matter which party tries to advance them. ;-)

 

[Geo]

Me too. I guess we are among the "some" I alluded to in my post.

What do u think about the rest of my shared thoughts?

 

[Geo]

AndrewG:

Republicans Hatched Idea for Obama's Health Insurance Mandate - FoxNews.com

 

[AndrewG]

That's messed up. That is quite enlightening. Thanks for the link.

Isn't Romneycare a disaster too?

Personally, I think gov't should require private health insurance companies to accept everyone and cap their profit margins that adjusts for cola anually etc...and/or subsidize them. Add a very reasonable healthcare subsidy payroll tax. Healthcare should not be a right but there needs to be a reasonable charge or cap for those who will absorb more than they put in. These preexisting folks definitely need some skin in the game so it doesn't get abused as an entitlement.

Care should be rationed if you hit the subsidy level. I'm not against paying more, I'm against this turning into a new entitlement. Thoughts?

 

[30ashopper]

Me too. I guess we are among the "some" I alluded to in my post.

What do u think about the rest of my shared thoughts?

I don't think this is all about Obama. A federal law was passed that requires we all purchase a product. This was coupled with a massive new entitlement. The bill was very unpopular when it passed. The federal government basically ignored the voters. Did they honestly think the populace would just roll over and accept it?

 

[Geo]

Yeah, I get it and don't disagree. I'm asking you why u believe there was no outrage when these ideas were republican ideas. Why was there no tea party revolt when Reagan raised taxes?

 

[30ashopper]

Yeah, I get it and don't disagree. I'm asking you why u believe there was no outrage when these ideas were republican ideas. Why was there no tea party revolt when Reagan raised taxes?

As far as Reagan goes, if you look at marginal tax rates before and after 1981, you'll see why he's regarded the way he is. He reset the bar on taxation in this country.

What were conservatives saying back in 84 when he agreed to raise the ss tax? I don't remember, I was in my senior year of high school. Getting into my girlfiend's pants and the pin striping on my vw rabbit were my major obsessions.