Health Care Mandate Upheld by Supreme Court

‘Experts’ who predicted a huge swing to the right have egg on their faces
US News • Views: 34,916

Yes, here’s the bottom line: Health Care Ruling: Individual Mandate Upheld by Supreme Court.

Looks like all those pundits who saw the destruction of the Affordable Care Act in their tea leaves now have some crow to eat.

So, are the right wing blogs gibbering and freaking out? Of course they are — it’s the reason they exist.

UPDATE at 6/28/12 10:15:59 am

One of my favorite right wing tweets so far comes from breitbart.com’s chief race-baiter, Ben Shapiro:

UPDATE at 6/28/12 11:32:12 am

Sarah “Death Panels” Palin weighs in:

Jump to bottom

246 comments
1 Shvaughn  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:05:02am

It's a great day in America.

2 aagcobb  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:05:18am

Now its a political issue, as it should have been all along. Hopefully the democrats can make the case to the public as to why the individual mandate is necessary so that they can get all the things in the act they want.

3 Obdicut  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:06:50am

I wonder if Robert's Catholicism is going to increase the GOP's antipathy for Catholics.

4 erik_t  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:07:21am

As usual, whenever you get too excited about politics, it's good to take a deep breath, step back from Intrade, and see if Nate Silver has any thoughts.

5 Gus  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:07:44am

Courts & The Constitution - Mitt Romney

As president, Mitt will nominate judges in the mold of Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Thomas, and Alito. These justices hold dear what the great Chief Justice John Marshall called “the basis on which the whole American fabric has been erected”: a written Constitution...

Screen capture acquired.

6 Bulworth  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:08:45am

I must admit I'm shocked it was upheld.

Pleasantly elated this afternoon.

The ruling buys supporters of ACA some time to highlight the Act's good stuff, although if they should gain congress and the presidency this Fall I've no doubt the Repubs will try to repeal the law.

7 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:08:49am

Rush is alternating between doom and glooming and all but weeping into his coffee.

8 Bulworth  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:09:22am

re: #5 Gus

Courts & The Constitution - Mitt Romney


Screen capture acquired.

Where's the Ministry of Truth when you need them?

9 lawhawk  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:10:21am

The GOP focus going into November will be to repeal the PPACA (Obamacare/HCR).

Does that sound like a winning notion to anyone who isn't a right winger? It would surely motivate the base to vote, but would that same right winger really believe Mitt when he says he'd repeal it beginning from Day 1 when he imposed a functionally similar program at the state level - MassHealth?

And it bears repeating - the GOP was for the individual mandate before they were against it. Since President Obama came out in support of it, the GOP has gone full-tilt opposed to the individual mandate even though they originated the idea. But partisan politics trumps reason, logic, or what's best to improve health care cost containment, expanding insurance coverage, and reducing the costs to providers due to having to deal with indigents and uninsureds.

10 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:11:02am
‘Experts’ who predicted a huge swing to the right have egg on their faces

Those must be crows' eggs. Now scrambled and served with toast.

11 GunstarGreen  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:11:27am

If we lived in a world that had any goodness in it, the citizens of this once-great nation would see the Supreme Court ruling, recognize it as the final word on the matter according to the United States Constitution, accept that fact, and have faith in the system we've been using for hundreds of years.

But nah, this is modern America, so instead we get endless bitching and snivelling excuses about how the Supreme Court is suddenly illegitimate or suddenly has no say in this case.

I say we take off a nuke the site from orbit -- it's the only way to be sure.

12 Bulworth  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:11:29am

The judicial activists Supreme Court rammed this healthcare bill down our throats! Hands off my healthcare!

13 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:11:31am

re: #9 lawhawk

They seem set not to run on the Act on a whole, but to keep screaming "Obama imposed a tax on us! And the Supreme Court helped him!"

14 The Left  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:11:40am

The Freepers are really freaking out--loads of comments wishing harm to Chief Justice Roberts:

He should just slit his wrists or something. He has shamed his whole country by destroying the constitution and offending any human being that believes in freedom and self respect.

Etc.

They're also fantasising that Roberts was somehow "coerced" by the evil Librhuls.

15 erik_t  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:11:52am

re: #9 lawhawk

The GOP focus going into November will be to repeal the PPACA (Obamacare/HCR).

Does that sound like a winning notion to anyone who isn't a right winger?

Bitching about the past is rarely a winning notion, unless you can back it up with newly-legalized beer.

16 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:15:21am

I feel bad for Roberts. The man is going to find out quickly alot of his friends weren't friends at all. Bush is funnily enough also being blamed for picking a "liberal."

17 Locker  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:15:29am

Why do Republicans think that "will of the people" decides what's constitutional? Why do the people who use the word unconstitutional the most know the least about the constitution?

Sorry those are rhetorical questions.

18 lawhawk  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:15:46am

re: #13 Targetpractice

They'll probably move in that direction, but based on what Boehner said yesterday, what Romney is on the record as saying, etc., they're going to seek to repeal the whole thing.

Even if they focus on the individual mandate as tax, if they repeal those provisions, it would functionally gut the remainder of the PPACA.

In other words, they're going after the whole thing regardless of how they frame it.

If the GOP could come up with a different way to pay for it without the individual mandate, I'm all ears. But as noted, they've proposed the individual mandate previously as a way of insuring personal responsibility and beating back the cost curve.

19 The Left  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:16:49am

More from Freak Republic:

I’ll be happy to hold the knife braced against a wall for Roberts to impale himself.

20 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:17:17am

Breitbart.com hack Ben Shapiro says game over, man. Game over. America's finished.

21 teresa  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:18:09am

I was shaking when the opinion came down, it is years of work I personally contributed in that health care policy and that includes the mandate. I am thrilled. I wish I could have seen the look on Scalia's face when he found out John Roberts had actually voted to uphold the mandate. That is the only thing that could have made this better for me personally, but as it stands this is a great fucking day!

22 Shvaughn  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:18:11am

re: #20 Charles Johnson

LOL!

23 Gus  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:18:35am

I do believe we're coming close to attaining Peak Wingnut.

24 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:19:21am

re: #23 Gus

I do believe we're coming close to attaining Peak Wingnut.

Nah, that'll prolly happen when november arrives and Obama wins again.

25 Matt H  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:19:40am

I saw that one commentator at the Volokh Conspiracy said that Roberts was chosen by Bush because he believes in a strong executive and could be counted to vote in favor of the War on Terror cases.

26 William Barnett-Lewis  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:20:29am

Wait, that tweet's SERIOUS? It made me laugh loud enough to wake a dead cat and it's serious? "O brave new world that has such people in it. "

27 JeffM70  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:20:41am

re: #20 Charles Johnson

re: #20 Charles Johnson

Yet the America of post-10am seems no different than the America of pre-10am. If it's the end, it's very anti-climatic I must say.

28 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:20:42am

re: #18 lawhawk

Rush is giving them marching orders right now, and he's hammering into their heads that the USSC just gave Congress the power to force you to do anything through taxes, declaring this is the end of healthcare as we know it, and that Obama's just levied the largest tax increase in the history of the world.

The funniest thing earlier in the broadcast is he was declaring Romney to be their only hope in seeing it repealed. I'm thankful I hadn't taken a drink when I heard that.

29 NJDhockeyfan  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:20:47am

CNN News Staffers Revolt Over Blown Coverage

News staffers at the cable network CNN, long the gold standard in television news, were on the verge of open revolt Thursday after CNN blew the coverage on the most consequential news event of the year.

...“Fucking humiliating,” said one CNN veteran. “We had a chance to cover it right. And some people in here don’t get what a big deal getting it wrong is. Morons.”

“Shameful,” another long-time correspondent told BuzzFeed.

"It's outrageous and embarrassing,” a third CNN staffer vented. “Maybe this will shake the company into understanding that CNN has not been the 'most trusted name in news' for a very long time."

A fourth CNN source noted simply “obviously, it’s embarrassing,” but defended legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, and stressed that it’s the challenge of breaking news.

Heh.

30 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:20:47am

re: #20 Charles Johnson

Breitbart.com hack Ben Shapiro says game over, man. Game over. America's finished.

[Embedded content]

Who the hell is Ben Shapiro and why isn't he behind the counter at McDonald's?

31 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:21:58am

re: #30 Decatur Deb

Who the hell is Ben Shapiro and why isn't he behind the counter at McDonald's?

He wasn't qualified. He kept on saying getting rid of the McRib was the worst move ever.

32 Shvaughn  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:25:10am

I wonder who is gonna lose their job at CNN?

33 Coracle  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:25:29am

re: #11 GunstarGreen

If we lived in a world that had any goodness in it, the citizens of this once-great nation would see the Supreme Court ruling, recognize it as the final word on the matter according to the United States Constitution, accept that fact, and have faith in the system we've been using for hundreds of years.

But nah, this is modern America, so instead we get endless bitching and snivelling excuses about how the Supreme Court is suddenly illegitimate or suddenly has no say in this case.

I say we take off a nuke the site from orbit -- it's the only way to be sure.

I disagree. As much as I welcome this decision, I feel Citizens United was a landscape altering mistake that _did_ change the country for the worse. In my mind, _that_ decision undermined the legitimacy of the court, and I support efforts to find ways to legally make that decision irrelevant (such as possibly a constitutional amendment on election funding reform).

While I disagree with them, and see a whole pile of crazy mixed in, I can't fault people on the other side of the fence from feeling the same way about this decision and dedicate themselves to changing it.

34 The Left  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:25:32am

re: #30 Decatur Deb

Who the hell is Ben Shapiro and why isn't he behind the counter at McDonald's?

If I remember right, he was homeschooled. He's been groomed to be the wingnuttiest of wingnut pundits from birth. SadlyNo used to mock him as Ben The Virgin Shapiro, but I don't remember the details. Anyway he's a hack.

35 SpaceJesus  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:25:46am

re: #20 Charles Johnson


Wow. Fucking wow. Not even attempting at hiding it anymore

36 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:27:16am

re: #34 Millicent Islam

If I remember right, he was homeschooled. He's been groomed to be the wingnuttiest of wingnut pundits from birth. SadlyNo used to mock him as Ben The Virgin Shapiro, but I don't remember the details. Anyway he's a hack.

I've known a couple cool homeschooled kids. No excuse for dipshittery.

37 Gus  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:27:23am

re: #34 Millicent Islam

If I remember right, he was homeschooled. He's been groomed to be the wingnuttiest of wingnut pundits from birth. SadlyNo used to mock him as Ben The Virgin Shapiro, but I don't remember the details. Anyway he's a hack.

Another right-wing man-child.

38 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:27:29am

And now Rush is out there, telling folks that businesses are gonna toss their healthcare coverage. First, he makes it sound as though this was something that wasn't already happening. And second, he seems to be forgetting that the GOP, as of '08, was okay with the idea of disassociating employment with health insurance. Hell, I've met Paulians who've said that's the ideal situation.

39 Aye Pod  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:27:58am

re: #20 Charles Johnson

Breitbart.com hack Ben Shapiro says game over, man. Game over. America's finished.

[Embedded content]

Youtube Video
41 Gus  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:28:30am
42 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:29:22am

Massive, overwhelming butthurt rules the right wing today. Check out @benshapiro's timeline. He seems to be having a breakdown of some kind.

43 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:29:30am

Note to the wingnut who did that to Roberts' page, his decision still stands and he knows more about the law than you ever will.

44 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:29:40am

Dewey defeats Truman?
Image: PKPGy.png

Winter is coming
Image: 3OpVh.jpg

45 Talking Point Detective  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:30:07am

re: #9 lawhawk

The GOP focus going into November will be to repeal the PPACA (Obamacare/HCR).

Does that sound like a winning notion to anyone who isn't a right winger? It would surely motivate the base to vote, but would that same right winger really believe Mitt when he says he'd repeal it beginning from Day 1 when he imposed a functionally similar program at the state level - MassHealth?

And it bears repeating - the GOP was for the individual mandate before they were against it. Since President Obama came out in support of it, the GOP has gone full-tilt opposed to the individual mandate even though they originated the idea. But partisan politics trumps reason, logic, or what's best to improve health care cost containment, expanding insurance coverage, and reducing the costs to providers due to having to deal with indigents and uninsureds.

I think it's a wining rhetoric if they can successfully brand the mandate as a tax. On the other hand, the Dems need to hammer away at what benefits will be lost with repeal.

Repubs are logistically better at branding, because they're so disciplined about staying on message.

46 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:30:11am

re: #38 Targetpractice

And now Rush is out there, telling folks that businesses are gonna toss their healthcare coverage. First, he makes it sound as though this was something that wasn't already happening. And second, he seems to be forgetting that the GOP, as of '08, was okay with the idea of disassociating employment with health insurance. Hell, I've met Paulians who've said that's the ideal situation.

Wingnuts talk up small business and entrepreneurism. Only with affordable health care can millions more Americans even consider starting their own businesses.

47 Shvaughn  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:30:24am

I hope the Supreme Court justices, especially Chief Justice Roberts, have good security details. Is that Secret Service's responsibility or someone else's?

48 SpikeDad  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:30:32am

re: #16 HappyWarrior

I feel bad for Roberts. The man is going to find out quickly alot of his friends weren't friends at all. Bush is funnily enough also being blamed for picking a "liberal."

The ultimate irony is that the AHA and it's mandate are essentially a Republican, right wing, big business creation. If this happened during Bushy, it would have been no news at all.

49 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:31:09am
50 Sheila Broflovski  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:31:15am
51 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:31:59am

re: #17 Locker

Why do Republicans think that "will of the people" decides what's constitutional? Why do the people who use the word unconstitutional the most know the least about the constitution?

Sorry those are rhetorical questions.

Part of the reason it doesn't make sense is that they don't even believe what they're saying.

What's really become visible since the Tea Party is that there's a bunch of Republicans...a bloc with a lot of influence...that are authoritarians in the oldest-school sense. With a bunch of issues--health care, gay marriage, women's issues--when the "will of the people" wasn't with them, they redefined the people to a narrow band of followers.

In the same way, the social contract of the Constitution exists only when its convenient to their ideology. When it doesn't, they redefine it via things like original intent and claims of judicial activism.

52 The Left  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:32:03am

Ok, time to break this out again for the hell of it:

Youtube Video
53 Interesting Times  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:32:26am

"Tee hee, guess where I just stuck John's gavel!"

54 BongCrodny  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:32:44am

Is there anything these guys ever write about that's *not* the end of America? Health care, end of America. Illegal immigrants, end of America. Militant Islamists, the end of America. Gun control, end of America.

I looked out my window this morning, and I could swear that America was still there.

55 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:33:02am

re: #49 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Me too. Rand has won so far for "most pathetic reaction" though the day is still young.

56 William of Orange  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:33:03am

CNN, when will you ever learn!

They jumped the gun again!


Ted Turner must be spinning in his Jacuzzi......

57 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:33:54am

I imagine folks across The Pond are absolutely baffled by the conservative response to today's decision, trying to figure out how so many people can believe it the end of the world because their government is trying to ensure all Americans have affordable access to healthcare.

58 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:35:09am
59 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:35:32am

re: #54 BongCrodny

Is there anything these guys ever write about that's *not* the end of America? Health care, end of America. Illegal immigrants, end of America. Militant Islamists, the end of America. Gun control, end of America.

I looked out my window this morning, and I could swear that America was still there.

My America dies every night around 11 CDT, and a new one is there in the morning. Some are nicer than others.

60 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:35:50am

re: #57 Targetpractice

I imagine folks across The Pond are absolutely baffled by the conservative response to today's decision, trying to figure out how so many people can believe it the end of the world because their government is trying to ensure all Americans have affordable access to healthcare.

I bet even many European conservatives are probably hearing about the reactions and wondering what the hell is wrong with their American counterparts. Hell even Thatcher who American right wingers love kept the UK's health care system in place because she knew it worked.

61 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:36:01am
62 MittDoesNotCompute  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:37:03am

re: #47 Shvaughn

I hope the Supreme Court justices, especially Chief Justice Roberts, have good security details. Is that Secret Service's responsibility or someone else's?

US marshals provide SC security, I believe.

63 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:37:21am

re: #36 Decatur Deb

I've known a couple cool homeschooled kids. No excuse for dipshittery.

Eh...there's homeschooled and there's homeschooled because your conservative Christian parents want to keep you fully imbedded in their wordlview, and have educational materials to make it so.

The former are pretty normal kids. The latter...they're either suffering or insufferable.

64 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:37:48am

Prediction: Santorum runs a "I told you so" campaign in 2016 in the Republican primary.

65 lawhawk  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:38:13am

re: #45 Talking Point Detective

Branding the mandate as a tax is easy considering that is the very justification that Roberts gave in upholding the law.

But as far as what it means as a tax hike or revenue generator will depend on compliance; for those who go and purchase insurance rather than paying the tax, they'll be getting a service in return for payment - health care coverage above and beyond what they previously had.

The GOP will reflexively fight it because it's a tax, regardless of whatever good it might do.

Taxes=bad. So says Norquist, so say them all.

66 prairiefire  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:39:06am

Politico is having a hard time loading. Probably a lot of traffic.

67 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:39:25am

re: #65 lawhawk

Rush is (laughably) trying to assert that this decision is gonna throw young voters into the GOP's arms, because he thinks there's throngs of such voters who don't have insurance, don't want it, and will vote for the GOP just to ensure that they have that "choice."

68 Bulworth  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:40:20am

re: #67 Targetpractice

Rush is (laughably) trying to assert that this decision is gonna throw young voters into the GOP's arms, because he thinks there's throngs of such voters who don't have insurance, don't want it, and will vote for the GOP just to ensure that they have that "choice."

Wahhh. I don't wanna be on my parents' insurance!

69 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:40:37am

Obamacare Decision: Romney Won't Like This Passage

By requiring most residents to obtain insurance, see Mass. Gen. Laws, ch. 111M, &sect2 (West 2011), the Commonwealth ensured that insurers would not be left with only the sick as customers. As a result, federal lawmakers observed, Massachusetts succeeded where other States had failed. See Brief for Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Amicus Curiae in No. 11–398, p. 3 (not­ing that the Commonwealth’s reforms reduced the number of uninsured residents to less than 2%, the lowest rate in the Nation, and cut the amount of uncompensated care by a third); 42 U. S. C. &sect18091(2)(D) (2006 ed., Supp. IV) (noting the success of Massachusetts’ reforms). In cou­pling the minimum coverage provision with guaranteed­ issue and community-rating prescriptions, Congress followed Massachusetts' lead.

70 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:41:06am

re: #67 Targetpractice

Rush is (laughably) trying to assert that this decision is gonna throw young voters into the GOP's arms, because he thinks there's throngs of such voters who don't have insurance, don't want it, and will vote for the GOP just to ensure that they have that "choice."

If he thinks younger voters are going to just ignore the GOP's rampant homophobia and hostility to individual rights, well I've got the Great Wall for sale and I'm opening bidding.

71 mr.fusion  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:41:10am

re: #9 lawhawk

The GOP focus going into November will be to repeal the PPACA (Obamacare/HCR).

I can't imagine the American people want to continue with this fight...I'm a little more politically interested than your average soccer mom/dad, but I've got to think that at this point we're just ready to move on

72 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:41:49am

re: #69 wrenchwench

Obamacare Decision: Romney Won't Like This Passage

Romney just lost a big talking point and his critics inside the party are probably even more upset that they couldn't find a better opponent for this guy.

74 mr.fusion  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:42:16am

re: #67 Targetpractice

Rush is (laughably) trying to assert that this decision is gonna throw young voters into the GOP's arms, because he thinks there's throngs of such voters who don't have insurance, don't want it, and will vote for the GOP just to ensure that they have that "choice."

Yea.....I want the choice to be thrown off my parents health insurance at 22 instead of 27. Exactly the type of "choice" that the GOP will provide to me that I'm interested in

75 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:44:32am

And now Rush is trying to float the rumor that Roberts was "forced" to change his vote, that the dissenting opinion was originally the majority one.

76 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:44:52am

re: #72 HappyWarrior

Romney just lost a big talking point and his critics inside the party are probably even more upset that they couldn't find a better opponent for this guy.

I think he's in greater danger from the wingnuts' mentally ill fans than Chief Justice Roberts is.

77 Bulworth  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:46:09am

re: #75 Targetpractice

And now Rush is trying to float the rumor that Roberts was "forced" to change his vote, that the dissenting opinion was originally the majority one.

Who would have forced Roberts to change and how?

78 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:46:13am

re: #76 wrenchwench

I think he's in greater danger from the wingnuts' mentally ill fans than Chief Justice Roberts is.

You think there's going to be a stop Romney movement at RNC? An attempt to force another Palin on the party/country?

79 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:46:40am

re: #77 Bulworth

Who would have forced Roberts to change and how?

Easy, Bill Ayers and George Soros blackmailed him.///

80 William of Orange  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:46:48am

Put your hands up if you can't wait for the next episodes of the Daily Show and Colbert Report?!

81 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:47:37am

re: #80 William of Orange

Put your hands up if you can't wait for the next episodes of the Daily Show and Colbert Report?!

Yeah, I don't watch as often as I should but I'm turning in tonight.

82 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:48:52am

re: #77 Bulworth

Who would have forced Roberts to change and how?

From his blathering, Rush seems to be trying to convince folks that it was "in the bag" as of Monday and the only way it couldn't have gone down as expected was that "somebody" forced Robert's hand. He doesn't know who, but he's sure that Roberts changed his vote under pressure from someone or something.

83 Randall Gross  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:49:27am

Dim Jim is already trial floating the fraudulent turd that the individual mandate is "the largest tax increase in history".

84 engineer cat  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:49:39am

This is the greatest destruction of individual liberty since Dred Scott. This is the end of America as we know it.

imagine, an america in which health insurance companies are no longer allowed to deny insurance coverage, and people are fined - fined - a few hundred dollars!!! truly barbarian!!!

i think i'm going to curl up in the fetal position now

85 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:50:02am

re: #82 Targetpractice

it was Obama's gay mafia hit squad of chicago goons.

86 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:50:21am

re: #78 HappyWarrior

You think there's going to be a stop Romney movement at RNC? An attempt to force another Palin on the party/country?

Those who are not insane will stick with Romney as the nominee. Those who are insane are sometimes armed. Those are the ones to be afraid of.

87 Coracle  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:50:47am

re: #80 William of Orange

Put your hands up if you can't wait for the next episodes of the Daily Show and Colbert Report?!

I don't know. Talk about a target rich environment. Both shows could be having so many joke-writing orgasms that they'll end up catatonic.

The Show's entire first segment will probably consist of Stewart cackling and leering knowingly at the audience to a slide show of graphic puns.

88 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:51:26am

And now, we have the Eric Holder contempt vote coming up.

89 The Left  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:51:40am

re: #79 HappyWarrior

Easy, Bill Ayers and George Soros blackmailed him.///

You put a sarc tag, but I linked earlier to a Freeper page where they were saying exactly that: Roberts was blackmailed and it has something to do with his adopted children. (????)

90 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:52:15am

re: #88 Charles Johnson

And now, we have the Eric Holder contempt vote coming up.

Butthurt outlet #1.

91 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:53:16am

Change of course, Rush is now asserting he didn't say that Roberts was "threatened," but rather that Roberts changed his vote due to worry that it would make the Court look bad if they struck down ACA.

92 Coracle  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:54:47am

re: #91 Targetpractice

Change of course, Rush is now asserting he didn't say that Roberts was "threatened," but rather that Roberts changed his vote due to worry that it would make the Court look bad if they struck down ACA.

Heh. Whether or not that went into Roberts' thinking , "it would make the Court look bad if they struck down ACA" is in fact true.

93 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:54:57am

I think Rush is just saying anything that comes to his head. This ruling doesn't effect him at all. Rush is like the mouse in An American Tail who was really a cat. Would be nice if Rush's followers found out that he benefits financially off their political misery.

94 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:55:41am

re: #92 Coracle

Heh. Whether or not that went into Roberts' thinking , "it would make the Court look bad if they struck down ACA" is in fact true.

He was impervious to that concern when Citizens United was before him.

95 engineer cat  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:56:02am

re: #93 HappyWarrior

I think Rush is just saying anything that comes to his head. This ruling doesn't effect him at all. Rush is like the mouse in An American Tail who was really a cat.

hey!

96 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:56:13am

re: #89 Millicent Islam

You put a sarc tag, but I linked earlier to a Freeper page where they were saying exactly that: Roberts was blackmailed and it has something to do with his adopted children. (???)

Well that explains why he voted to uphold Citizens United. Gotta love how a Democrat in office makes a bunch of conspiracy theorists of the right. Same thing happened in the Clinton years.

97 mr.fusion  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:56:25am

re: #77 Bulworth

Who would have forced Roberts to change and how?

Probably a Chicago thug

98 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:56:47am

re: #95 engineer cat

hey!

Come on, you're a cat who's really a dog.

99 engineer cat  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:57:10am

does the decision mean that i have to take down the death paneling in the den?

100 Eventual Carrion  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:57:31am

re: #62 SunshineSuperman

US marshals provide SC security, I believe.

They aren't unionized are they?

101 Kronocide  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:58:00am

Breaking:

Holder contempt vote corrupted by write in campaign nominating Roberts for being in contempt.

102 Coracle  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:58:04am

re: #94 wrenchwench

He was impervious to that concern when Citizens United was before him.

Indeed. I would think that Roberts couldn't possibly have missed understanding the damage Citizens has done to the US. He's not stupid, even if he's partisan.

103 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:58:11am

re: #94 wrenchwench

He was impervious to that concern when Citizens United was before him.

Supposedly the belief is running around that Roberts, in the wake of the public outrage over Citizens United, decided that striking down ACA would make this court as reviled as the Dred Scott court.tD

104 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:58:21am

So what to celebrate with tonight? Was going to to go to the liquor store anyhow after work. Decisions, decisions.

105 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:58:28am

re: #99 engineer cat

does the decision mean that i have to take down the death paneling in the den?

Just liven it up some. Maybe a coat of paint.

106 engineer cat  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:58:45am

re: #98 wrenchwench

Come on, you're a cat who's really a dog.

no, i 'm dog who's really a cat. no, wait, i mean, i'm a cat who's really an

oh hell

107 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:58:52am

re: #29 NJDhockeyfan

CNN News Staffers Revolt Over Blown Coverage

Heh.

heh.

108 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 10:59:16am

re: #103 Targetpractice

Supposedly the belief is running around that Roberts, in the wake of the public outrage over Citizens United, decided that striking down ACA would make this court as reviled as the Dred Scott court.tD

You've been reading Ben Shapiro...

109 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:00:46am

re: #108 wrenchwench

You've been reading Ben Shapiro...

So, apparently, has Rush. He just came back, between commercials, to now expand that he believes that, should it come out that Obama, Democrats, and liberals in general pressured Roberts into changing his vote, it will destroy the credibility of this court.

So yeah, expect that to be the prevailing theory, that it was "in the bag" until the liberals pressured Roberts to change his vote.

110 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:00:50am

OK, I better fix some bikes. They have no individual mandate....

111 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:03:01am

Are they implying that Roberts has no mind of his own and is easily swayed by outside influence? I have to say, I disagree with practically everything Scalia, Alito, and Thomas stand for but I think they're motivated by their interpretation of the Constitution, one I think is a little nonsensical mind you but I don't think they're really subject to outside influences telling them to vote a certain way.

112 Coracle  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:03:13am

re: #109 Targetpractice

So, apparently, has Rush. He just came back, between commercials, to now expand that he believes that, should it come out that Obama, Democrats, and liberals in general pressured Roberts into changing his vote, it will destroy the credibility of this court.

So yeah, expect that to be the prevailing theory, that it was "in the bag" until the liberals pressured Roberts to change his vote.

Ha! "Pressuring"? Who hasn't been trying to exert all the pressure they can on SCOTUS since before the case was heard?

113 NJDhockeyfan  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:03:38am

re: #88 Charles Johnson

And now, we have the Eric Holder contempt vote coming up.

Fast and Furious: Live coverage of Eric Holder contempt vote

All of the GOP members are reported to vote for it, 4 Dems have said they will also vote for it with another 20-31 possibly joining them. The Congressional Black Caucus has said they may walk out. This should be interesting.

114 Mattand  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:03:55am

re: #73 NJDhockeyfan

AP ORDERS STAFF TO STOP TAUNTING NEWS OUTLETS FOR GETTING HEALTH CARE RULING WRONG

Since when does Fox News count as a news outlet?

115 Bulworth  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:04:16am

re: #112 Coracle

Ha! "Pressuring"? Who hasn't been trying to exert all the pressure they can on SCOTUS since before the case was heard?

Also too: Roberts is awesome because of the tax argument and Obama is the worst tax raiser in history!

116 iossarian  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:04:47am

re: #113 NJDhockeyfan

Fast and Furious: Live coverage of Eric Holder contempt vote

All of the GOP members are reported to vote for it, 4 Dems have said they will also vote for it with another 20-31 possibly joining them. The Congressional Black Caucus has said they may walk out. This should be interesting.

Pure political theatre. I don't really care who votes either way, even the Democrats.

It's just posturing for people who are desperate to fling shit at Obama, since they haven't got anything else to run on.

117 erik_t  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:04:50am

re: #111 HappyWarrior

Are they implying that Roberts has no mind of his own and is easily swayed by outside influence? I have to say, I disagree with practically everything Scalia, Alito, and Thomas stand for but I think they're motivated by their interpretation of the Constitution, one I think is a little nonsensical mind you but I don't think they're really subject to outside influences telling them to vote a certain way.

Thomas is motivated by a Supreme Court Justice's interpretation of the Constitution, but it's not Thomas's.

118 MittDoesNotCompute  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:05:05am

re: #89 Millicent Islam

You put a sarc tag, but I linked earlier to a Freeper page where they were saying exactly that: Roberts was blackmailed and it has something to do with his adopted children. (???)

Shapiro, the rest of the Breitbrats, and the Freepers can just get fucked. I find it slightly amusing (and more than a bit embarrassing) when they bag on someone like Roberts, a man with a reputation of being a staunch conservative; while I often enjoy the taste of schadenfreude, when it comes down to the serious business of the SCOTUS, I take no pleasure.

119 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:05:17am

OK, maybe it's not butthurt...

120 Bulworth  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:07:25am
4 Dems have said they will also vote for it with another 20-31 possibly joining them.

This is such a nakedly partisan witch-hunt I can't fathom why any Democrats would vote for this. I'm willing to respect Dems who oppose the party on something policy-specific that directly relates to the interests of their consitituents. But this would just be stupid.

121 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:08:12am

re: #112 Coracle

Ha! "Pressuring"? Who hasn't been trying to exert all the pressure they can on SCOTUS since before the case was heard?

It's all absolute bullshit, but they're trying to find any silver linings they can. The list so far:

- "Obama just levied the largest tax increase in history!"
- "People are gonna vote Republican because they hate the ACA!"
- "Congress can now make you can do anything with taxes!"
- "You're gonna lose your health care through your job! (Even though we wanted the same thing.)"
- "Roberts was on our side, but the liberals got to him!"

122 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:08:26am

I imagine Roberts' name will be consciously missing in the future when we hear whom a model supreme justice is.

123 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:08:30am

re: #120 Bulworth

This is such a nakedly partisan witch-hunt I can't fathom why any Democrats would vote for this. I'm willing to respect Dems who oppose the party on something policy-specific that directly relates to the interests of their consitituents. But this would just be stupid.

NRA's scoring the vote.

124 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:08:58am

re: #120 Bulworth

This is such a nakedly partisan witch-hunt I can't fathom why any Democrats would vote for this. I'm willing to respect Dems who oppose the party on something policy-specific that directly relates to the interests of their consitituents. But this would just be stupid.

NRA is scoring the vote. Vulnerable Dems from conservative rural areas don't want people to think they're trying to take away their guns. /backward thinking.

125 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:09:51am

re: #121 Targetpractice

It's all absolute bullshit, but they're trying to find any silver linings they can. The list so far:

- "Obama just levied the largest tax increase in history!"
- "People are gonna vote Republican because they hate the ACA!"
- "Congress can now make you can do anything with taxes!"
- "You're gonna lose your health care through your job! (Even though we wanted the same thing.)"
- "Roberts was on our side, but the liberals got to him!"

or Rand Paul's "The Supreme Court doesn't rule on constitutionality anyway."

126 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:10:02am

Childish little fuckers...

127 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:11:14am

re: #126 darthstar

Childish little fuckers...

[Embedded content]

What did I tell you guys about Roberts losing people he thought were his friends.

128 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:11:24am
129 celticdragon  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:11:29am

re: #23 Gus

I do believe we're coming close to attaining Peak Wingnut.

There is no peak wingnut, there is only Zool!

130 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:11:48am
131 MittDoesNotCompute  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:12:10am

re: #120 Bulworth

This is such a nakedly partisan witch-hunt I can't fathom why any Democrats would vote for this. I'm willing to respect Dems who oppose the party on something policy-specific that directly relates to the interests of their consitituents. But this would just be stupid.

I'm gonna take a stab at this, but the only reason that I can see Democrats voting with the GOP on Holder is because they're in red states or are in districts that have serious GOP contenders for the fall.

It doesn't make it right, but there's one explanation.

132 Bulworth  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:12:14am

re: #123 Targetpractice

NRA's scoring the vote.

yeah I realize that. But the NRA connection is again so partisan--the issue at hand doesn't involve any gun restrictions, just the opposite--I'd be ashamed to see any Dems go along with them.

133 celticdragon  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:12:25am

re: #124 darthstar

NRA is scoring the vote. Vulnerable Dems from conservative rural areas don't want people to think they're trying to take away their guns. /backward thinking.

I think I will be calling and terminating my NRA membership. This is enough.

134 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:12:43am

Ah, I see. Rush is getting his info on the "pressure" on Roberts from...the blog The Volokh Conspiracy.

135 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:12:44am

re: #130 Charles Johnson

GOP Base: A sleeping giant that's been sleeping with its sister.

136 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:12:45am

re: #132 Bulworth

yeah I realize that. But the NRA connection is again so partisan--the issue at hand doesn't involve any gun restrictions, just the opposite--I'd be ashamed to see any Dems go along with them.

NRA endorsement unfortunately has a lot of pull in rural areas.

137 Kronocide  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:13:59am

re: #130 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Haha. From the minds that brought us They're going to take our guns because they haven't done anything to take our guns for a few years, putting us to sleep.

138 Bulworth  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:14:51am

re: #136 HappyWarrior

NRA endorsement unfortunately has a lot of pull in rural areas.

This is why I can't justify giving to House or Senate campaign committees. Specific candidates, yes.

139 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:15:15am

re: #138 Bulworth

This is why I can't justify giving to House or Senate campaign committees. Specific candidates, yes.

No doubt about that.

140 erik_t  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:16:25am

re: #138 Bulworth

This is why I can't justify giving to House or Senate campaign committees. Specific candidates, yes.

When I explain this to political-donation callers, they are remarkably understanding and appreciative. It's worth thirty seconds of your time.

141 Interesting Times  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:19:01am
142 lawhawk  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:19:22am

re: #120 Bulworth

The only reason I can think of is that some thing that is relates to bureaucratic politics - separation of powers namely - that the Executive has overstepped its authority or somehow trampled on Congressional power and that censure is an appropriate act to deal with the violation.

It's why some members will vote on these measures regardless of who's in office of which party is in power. They see the institution rather than the individual it is directed at.

143 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:20:47am

Rush was hilariously bad this morning.

144 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:21:19am
145 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:21:26am

re: #143 Kragar

Rush was hilariously bad this morning.

I'm still listening to him. He's pretty much lost his fucking mind.

146 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:22:15am

re: #145 Targetpractice

I'm still listening to him. He's pretty much lost his fucking mind.

Not much of a stretch.

147 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:23:17am

Right wingers threatening to move TO Canada? Never thought I'd see that day.

148 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:23:30am

re: #146 Kragar

Not much of a stretch.

I know, which is why it's so hilarious. He's trying to float the conspiracy theory that somebody "got" to Roberts...while assuring folks that he doesn't really believe it.

149 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:23:39am

Fischer: Gay Marriage Leads to Sex with Animals

On yesterday's program, Bryan Fischer dedicated a segment to discussing a 2009 newspaper article about bestiality advocates in order to bolster his case against marriage equality, saying that "once you allow sex between two people of the same-sex, there is no place to stop" and it will inevitably lead to the legalization of polygamy, pedophilia, and bestiality

And after that, its only a matter of time before toast fucking becomes legal.

150 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:24:40am

re: #148 Targetpractice

I know, which is why it's so hilarious. He's trying to float the conspiracy theory that somebody "got" to Roberts...while assuring folks that he doesn't really believe it.

I liked how he was trying to blame the "liberal media" for all the hype leading up to the announcement.

151 uncah91  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:24:56am

re: #149 Kragar

Fischer: Gay Marriage Leads to Sex with Animals

And after that, its only a matter of time before toast fucking becomes legal.

Have you seen "American Pie"!?

152 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:24:57am

re: #149 Kragar

Fischer: Gay Marriage Leads to Sex with Animals

And after that, its only a matter of time before toast fucking becomes legal.

Okay that makes me violently angry because he's accusing my cousin and his husband of being beastists and pedophiles.

153 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:25:13am

The motherlode of butthurt - a Twitter search for "sleeping giant."

154 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:25:54am

re: #151 uncah91

Have you seen "American Pie"!?

The scene with the pie was based on Bryan Fischer's sex life.

155 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:25:55am

re: #151 uncah91

Have you seen "American Pie"!?

I specified toast, not miscellaneous baked goods.

156 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:26:30am

re: #150 Kragar

I liked how he was trying to blame the "liberal media" for all the hype leading up to the announcement.

Indeed. That they all pretty much thought it was in the bag, they'd won, and then the heartbreak when CNN and Fox fucked up the announcement.

157 jaunte  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:27:35am

re: #23 Gus

I do believe we're coming close to attaining Peak Wingnut.

There's a Sleeping Wingnut Giant under that peak.

158 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:27:53am

Rush: "And now we're 'Post-Constitutional'."

159 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:28:16am

re: #155 Kragar

I specified toast, not miscellaneous baked goods.

Hey, you leave my dear Melba alone.

160 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:28:47am

Oh hell, now he's citing Heritage. I'm gonna need something stronger than iced tea.

161 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:28:51am

By year's end, they'll be taking credit for it, claiming they stopped Obama from pushing single payer or something like that.

162 Big Steve  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:29:04am

Love this statement in Roberts Majority decision, page 6...

It is not our job to protect the people from the consequences of their political choices

163 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:29:23am
164 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:29:36am

This here, below, is why I think making iron clad predictions is just setting yourself up to look like an ass (Breitbart's Big Government):

Tomorrow, at around 10:30am EDT, the Democrat-left-media complex will launch the most aggressive and sustained attack on the institution of the Supreme Court in the history of our Republic. When the Court throws out at least some portion of ObamaCare tomorrow, President Obama and his partisans on the left and in the media will effectively declare war on the third co-equal branch of government and seek, in every possible way, to undermine the legitimacy of the Court.

So what's happening today? The Breitbrats are doing exactly what they said the Democrats would do, attacking the Supreme Court, undermining its legitimacy and disrespecting the rule of law in every way.

165 William Barnett-Lewis  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:29:45am

re: #136 HappyWarrior

NRA endorsement unfortunately has a lot of pull in rural areas.

It was a big part of Walker's win in the recall - Barrett was seen as a big city "gun grabber" and for some, that's enough.

166 iossarian  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:30:00am

re: #155 Kragar

I specified toast, not miscellaneous baked goods.

Those big round buns with the sticky cream on top...

Those...


Those are the best.

167 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:30:22am

Fox claims they didn't screw up announcing the SCOTUS decision...defensive much?

[Link: www.politico.com...]

We gave our viewers the news as it happened. When Justice Roberts said, and we read, that the mandate was not valid under the Commerce clause, we reported it. Bill Hemmer even added, be patient as we work through this. Then when we heard and read, that the mandate could be upheld under the government’s power to tax, we reported that as well—all within two minutes.

By contrast, one other cable network was unable to get their Supreme Court reporter to the camera, and said as much. Another said it was a big setback for the President. Fox reported the facts, as they came in.

168 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:30:33am

re: #158 Targetpractice

Rush: "And now we're 'Post-Constitutional'."

What does that drop out know about the Constitution that a trained lawyer and established judge like Roberts doesn't? I bet Rush would if someone asked him if the Bill of Rights were part of the Constitution at its first inception he'd say yes.

169 Coracle  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:32:07am

re: #164 goddamnedfrank

This here, below, is why I think making iron clad predictions is just setting yourself up to look like an ass (Breitbart's Big Government):

So what's happening today? The Breitbrats are doing exactly what they said the Democrats would do, attacking the Supreme Court, undermining its legitimacy and disrespecting the rule of law in every way.

That's gold right there. The kind of hypocrisy that needs shouting from the treetops.

170 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:32:33am

re: #164 goddamnedfrank

This here, below, is why I think making iron clad predictions is just setting yourself up to look like an ass (Breitbart's Big Government):

So what's happening today? The Breitbrats are doing exactly what they said the Democrats would do, attacking the Supreme Court, undermining its legitimacy and disrespecting the rule of law in every way.

Romney did the same thing. He was in Va last night crowing about how Obama and the WH couldn't sleep last night because of the decision that they thought was coming. As I recall, Obama and his surrogates had a very wait and see attitude about the whole process.

171 Sheila Broflovski  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:33:07am
172 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:33:52am

re: #169 Coracle

That's gold right there. The kind of hypocrisy that needs shouting from the treetops.

Especially because Louis Goehmert wants to impeach Elena Kagan for being SG during Obama's term then becoming a USSC member. Nevermind the fact that if the court was tied at 4, it still would have been upheld.

173 SidewaysQuark  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:34:05am

Well, if this decision gets paired with an Obama win in November, I seriously fear the prospect of right wing violence....

174 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:34:11am

re: #170 HappyWarrior

Romney did the same thing. He was in Va last night crowing about how Obama and the WH couldn't sleep last night because of the decision that they thought was coming. As I recall, Obama and his surrogates had a very wait and see attitude about the whole process.

Boehner last week told the GOP not to "spike the football" when the Act was struck down, then the next day Rush was telling them "Hell yeah, you should spike the football! It would be wrong not to!"

Ah, the sweet, sweet taste of schadenfreude.

175 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:34:38am

re: #170 HappyWarrior

Romney is a bully and a jerk. No respectable candidate would make such a childish statement. I hope someone asks him about that comment...but then again he only speaks to Fox News so chances are it won't happen.

176 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:34:52am

re: #174 Targetpractice

Boehner last week told the GOP not to "spike the football" when the Act was struck down, then the next day Rush was telling them "Hell yeah, you should spike the football! It would be wrong not to!"

Ah, the sweet, sweet taste of schadenfreude.

Boehner may be the most mature adult in the GOP leadership*
*Not like that's saying a lot

177 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:35:27am

Heh...great take-down of CNN

178 jaunte  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:36:01am

Here's What Obamacare Actually Does For You

179 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:36:01am

And there it is, Rush has just declared Roberts an "activist" justice.

180 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:37:41am

Tony Perkins chimes in

"Today's Supreme Court decision will do serious harm to American families. Not only is the individual mandate a profound attack on our liberties, but it is only one section among hundreds of provisions in the law that will force taxpayers to fund abortions, violate their conscience rights, and impose a massive tax and debt burden on American families.

"The Obama administration has created, for the first time in American history, new federal regulations that toss aside the constitutional right to religious freedom by forcing religious institutions and employers to pay for abortion-causing drugs, contraceptives and sterilizations.

"It's now time to replace those leaders who disregarded the constitutional limitations of their authority and the deeply held religious beliefs of their constituents, voting for the government takeover of healthcare. We must repeal this abortion-funding health care law and restore the Constitution to its rightful place," concluded Perkins.

In the meantime, forcing taxpayers to fund teaching creationism in the classroom, fund huge defense contracts they might be morally opposed to, or giving billions to oil companies and banks in subsidies and bailouts are perfectly within the rights of the Government, so shut up and pay up.

181 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:38:01am

re: #175 darthstar

Romney is a bully and a jerk. No respectable candidate would make such a childish statement. I hope someone asks him about that comment...but then again he only speaks to Fox News so chances are it won't happen.

Yeah I saw someone post about it on my facebook when I woke up. I thought God even if he's right, what a pompous jerk because thousands of people could have lost their insurance today and Mitt just wants to make this into a taunting match with the president. I'm glad he got his just desserts because he just lost a huge talking point today and his internal opponents probably feel vindicated about their opposition to him. Not a good day for Romney. He'll try to slime his way through this though acting like it was Obama who was arrogant and not him.

182 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:38:26am

Image: 523804_486466604712105_1558774557_n.jpg

183 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:38:28am

re: #180 Kragar

Tony Perkins chimes in

In the meantime, forcing taxpayers to fund teaching creationism in the classroom, fund huge defense contracts they might be morally opposed to, or giving billions to oil companies and banks in subsidies and bailouts are perfectly within the rights of the Government, so shut up and pay up.

Whatever Perkkkins.

184 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:38:45am

re: #179 Targetpractice

And there it is, Rush has just declared Roberts an "activist" justice.

BLACK ROBED SHADOW CABAL!

/I'm still totally naming my band that

185 Obdicut  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:39:13am

So, the GOP, in Louisiana, is mandating that taxpayer money be spent to fund religious schools. And Obama is mandating that taxpayer money be spent to provide health care.

Which of these is something the US needs more of?

186 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:40:09am

re: #181 HappyWarrior

Not a good day for Romney. He'll try to slime his way through this though acting like it was Obama who was arrogant and not him.

I'm just waiting for him to slip and call the President 'uppity'...

187 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:40:10am

re: #185 Obdicut

So, the GOP, in Louisiana, is mandating that taxpayer money be spent to fund religious schools. And Obama is mandating that taxpayer money be spent to provide health care.

Which of these is something the US needs more of?

This is a really good point.

188 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:40:28am

re: #185 Obdicut

So, the GOP, in Louisiana, is mandating that taxpayer money be spent to fund religious schools. And Obama is mandating that taxpayer money be spent to provide health care.

Which of these is something the US needs more of?

Thats obvious, once you take into account we need to ensure the sheltering hand of God protects us from the Prince of Darkness.

189 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:40:28am

And now it's time for the Listing of Grievances, namely Rush spinning yarns about how conservatives are "under attack."

190 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:41:19am

re: #189 Targetpractice

And now it's time for the Listing of Grievances, namely Rush spinning yarns about how conservatives are "under attack."

"Now we see the violence inherent in the system..."

191 Kronocide  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:41:53am

Biden Drops F-Bomb To Prez

Gotta love Biden

192 AK-47%  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:42:03am

Deathly hush falls over Germany as semifinal European Cup playoff soccer game against Italy begins...

Or are they struck speechless by the impending doom of American democracy?

193 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:42:21am

Roberts has to be amused about how he went from model conservative judge to activist in under 24 hours.

194 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:42:56am

So, any guesses on how long before the wingnuts scream "If they can tax you for healthcare, then they can tax you if you don't own a gun!"?

195 Mattand  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:43:06am

re: #190 Kragar

"Now we see the violence inherent in the system..."

Apparently, Justice Roberts think a watery tart has flung a scimitar at him.

196 jaunte  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:43:17am

re: #189 Targetpractice

And now it's time for the Listing of Grievances, namely Rush spinning yarns about how conservatives are "under attack."

It's Festivus in June.

197 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:44:18am

re: #191 Kronocide

Biden Drops F-Bomb To Prez

Gotta love Biden

Every Biden events needs to start with him rolling up in a Trans-Am blaring Styx's "Renegade"

198 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:44:38am

Well folks, when you run into a wingnut who asserts that the ACA was overturned, but Roberts saved it, tell them that they need to stop listening to Rush.

199 Kronocide  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:44:49am

re: #192 Expand Your Ground

Deathly hush falls over Germany as semifinal playoff game with italy begins...

Or are they struck speechless by the impending doom of American democracy?

No, they're terrified that AMERICAFUCKYEAHISTAN might be catching up.

200 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:45:16am

re: #193 HappyWarrior

Roberts has to be amused about how he went from model conservative judge to activist in under 24 hours.

Youtube Video
201 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:45:38am

re: #191 Kronocide

Biden Drops F-Bomb To Prez

Gotta love Biden

Image: tumblr_lz8jdr3Y7Y1qba47q.jpg

202 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:45:59am

And now Rush Limbaugh, constitutional scholar, declares that there was no income tax in the Constitution and that it was created by the 13th Amendment.

Yeah, take a second to let that sink in.

203 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:47:15am

re: #202 Targetpractice

And now Rush Limbaugh, constitutional scholar, declares that there was no income tax in the Constitution and that it was created by the 13th Amendment.

Yeah, take a second to let that sink in.

Outlawing slavery created the income tax?

204 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:47:40am

re: #202 Targetpractice

And now Rush Limbaugh, constitutional scholar, declares that there was no income tax in the Constitution and that it was created by the 13th Amendment.

Yeah, take a second to let that sink in.

Now he's arguing the abolition of slavery was bad? Oh and a note to the anti 16thers. Income taxes existed before the amendment was imposed.

205 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:48:06am

re: #203 Kragar

Outlawing slavery created the income tax?

Wait, he just corrected himself. Or, more likely, somebody with a few more brain cells left in their heads told him it was actually the 16th.

206 AK-47%  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:48:28am

re: #204 HappyWarrior

Now he's arguing the abolition of slavery was bad? Oh and a note to the anti 16thers. Income taxes existed before the amendment was imposed.

As did the government's ability to tax. The 16th just covered income taxes.

207 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:49:00am

re: #205 Targetpractice

Wait, he just corrected himself. Or, more likely, somebody with a few more brain cells left in their heads told him it was actually the 16th.

He's still lying. Income taxes were imposed during the Civil War. Not as high as they are now mind you but they were imposed by both the Union and CSA..

208 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:49:34am

re: #205 Targetpractice

Wait, he just corrected himself. Or, more likely, somebody with a few more brain cells left in their heads told him it was actually the 16th.

Fun Fact: it takes a team of over 35 Imagineers to operate a fully functional Rush Limbaugh.

209 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:50:10am

re: #207 HappyWarrior

He's still lying. Income taxes were imposed during the Civil War. Not as high as they are now mind you but they were imposed by both the Union and CSA..

If David Barton never said it, it never happened.

210 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:50:30am

re: #209 Kragar

If David Barton never said it, it never happened.

Heh yep.

211 lawhawk  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:50:43am

There's also the not inconsiderable fact that state legislatures around the country are breathing a sigh of relief that they don't have to come up with nearly $1 billion in total funds that the feds distributed ahead of the 2014 individual mandate to establish exchanges.

Many lack the budget space to reimburse the feds for the money.

212 Tigger2  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:52:14am

re: #145 Targetpractice

I'm still listening to him. He's pretty much lost his fucking mind.

He did that years ago.

213 SpaceJesus  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:52:32am

Freep is now calling the IM an Islamic tax or "jizyah", unironically of course.

Today is a good day.

214 AK-47%  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:53:17am

re: #213 SpaceJesus

Freep is now calling the IM an Islamic tax or "jizyah", unironically of course.

Today is a good day.

can I jizyah all over?

215 Eventual Carrion  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:53:25am

re: #149 Kragar

Fischer: Gay Marriage Leads to Sex with Animals

Fischer: Gay Marriage Leads to Sex with Animals

On yesterday's program, Bryan Fischer dedicated a segment to discussing a 2009 newspaper article about bestiality advocates in order to bolster his case against marriage equality, saying that "once you allow sex between two people of the same-sex, there is no place to stop" and it will inevitably lead to the legalization of polygamy, pedophilia, and bestiality

And after that, its only a matter of time before toast fucking becomes legal.

No, religion leads to polygamy and pedophilia. Farming leads to bestiality. Homosexuality leads to two people loving each other in a mutual way, oh and also leads to driving Fischer batshit crazy.

216 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:53:39am

re: #213 SpaceJesus

Freep is now calling the IM an Islamic tax of "jizyah", unironically of course.

Today is a good day.

Lolwut

217 Tigger2  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:53:41am

re: #147 HappyWarrior

Right wingers threatening to move TO Canada? Never thought I'd see that day.

Please Please let it happen.lol

218 SpaceJesus  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:53:48am

re: #185 Obdicut

good thing is, one of those things could possibly be challenged with taxpayer standing, while the other cannot.

219 Mattand  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:53:51am

re: #204 HappyWarrior

Now he's arguing the abolition of slavery was bad? Oh and a note to the anti 16thers. Income taxes existed before the amendment was imposed.

And that, Ladies and Gentle Lizards, is your Massive Freudian Slip of the Day.

220 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:54:07am

Rush actually did something useful there for a sec, telling people 'bout a identity theft scam email going 'round.

221 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:54:35am

Image: xlarge.jpg

[Link: gawker.com...]

One of the more prominent gloaters was the Associated Press, which had been flaunting its successful reading of the ruling in CNN's face. The playground behavior was apparently too much for AP editor David Scott, who sent an email blast to staffers asking that the they "please, immediately, stop taunting on social networks about CNN and others' SCOTUS ruling mistake and the AP getting it right."

222 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:55:25am

re: #221 darthstar

Image: xlarge.jpg

[Link: gawker.com...]

CNN has serious butt-hurt today. Love the Dewey Defeats Truman mockup above.

223 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:55:43am

re: #219 Mattand

And that, Ladies and Gentle Lizards, is your Massive Freudian Slip of the Day.

I dunno. I think you give Rush too much credit. I don't think he knows the Constitution that well.

224 Obdicut  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:58:37am
225 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:59:24am

What will be great is listening to Romney explain why the Supreme Court backing up the healthcare plan modeled after his own healthcare plan is such a terrible thing.

226 lawhawk  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 11:59:36am

For your consideration:

CHQ Exclusives:A 21st Century Dred Scott Decision
By Richard A. Viguerie
The Supreme Court's decision is a stark reminder that one presidential appointment to the Supreme Court is all that stood between our freedom and the tyranny that will grow ever greater now that the individual mandate has been upheld. Read and Comment

Right, comparing one of the worst cases ever decided by the court that determined that segregation was perfectly acceptable and treated blacks as second class citizens to a decision that expands access to health care insurance coverage.

This is what happens when you have folks who have such a poor understanding of history or constitutional law bloviate about the consequences of the decision.

In his case, Viguerie ignores that the Court roundly criticized a vast expansion of Congressional power to control the marketplace - setting new limits on the Commerce Clause/Necessary and Proper clause. Inaction cannot be used as a justification to control/tax.

Rather, the Court found that the plain language of the Act imposes a tax, and such a tax is within Congressional power to tax.

On the former, that's actually a rather sweeping rebuke of Congressional power going forward and is a conservative reading of the Commerce Clause.

227 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:01:15pm

I'm starting to wonder how much of Kennedy's ego was wrapped up in being "the Decider."

228 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:01:30pm

re: #226 lawhawk

Its doubly ironic because a lot of the people invoking the Dred Scott comparison are perfectly OK with segregation based on religion or sexuality.

229 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:01:35pm

Rush: "We're not as free as we were 5 hours ago."

230 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:01:37pm

[Link: www.nydailynews.com...]
Never too late to become a citizen. Congratulations to Mr.Guzman.

231 jaunte  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:03:19pm

Brian Beutler: March 26

Roberts May Have Tipped His Hand On ‘Obamacare’ Reasoning

"In an exchange with a plaintiffs attorney, Roberts suggested he’s skeptical that the mandate and its penalties can be treated separately and may have opened the door to finding that Congress’ power to impose the mandate springs from its broad taxing power."

232 Gus  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:03:20pm
233 Kragar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:04:09pm

re: #232 Gus

[Embedded content]

Providing healthcare to all Americans means the terrorists have won.

234 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:04:39pm

re: #225 Kragar

What will be great is listening to Romney explain why the Supreme Court backing up the healthcare plan modeled after his own healthcare plan is such a terrible thing.

This is what I'm looking forward to. He really is totally fucked there. In the past he could hide behind the 10th amendment. Another good part of this it reminds the right of their mistrust of him even more.

235 Shvaughn  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:06:14pm

re: #228 Kragar

Its doubly ironic because a lot of the people invoking the Dred Scott comparison are perfectly OK with segregation based on religion or sexuality.

Dred Scott is a frequent conservative dogwhistle for anti-choice activism.

236 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:06:41pm

re: #231 jaunte

Brian Beutler: March 26

Roberts May Have Tipped His Hand On ‘Obamacare’ Reasoning

Everybody on Tuesday was too focused on Ginsberg's comments, which they were sure declared that the mandate was DOA.

237 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:07:53pm

re: #232 Gus

[Embedded content]

Seems like he has a history. Per the article: In 2009, Pence said Obama sounds alot like Hitler. Oh and Pence just beat Rand Paul for the dumbest reaction award.

238 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:09:07pm

re: #235 Shvaughn

Dred Scott is a frequent conservative dogwhistle for anti-choice activism.

Yeah I've seen that. What was interesting to me was to read why a justice like Blackmun who was regarded as conservative at the time ended up ruling in favor of Roe. He made perfect sense.

239 darthstar  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:14:34pm

re: #232 Gus

That would make Rush and Mitt the twin towers - as they both went down.

240 danarchy  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:20:07pm

re: #234 HappyWarrior

This is what I'm looking forward to. He really is totally fucked there. In the past he could hide behind the 10th amendment. Another good part of this it reminds the right of their mistrust of him even more.

Not sure this will change his argument much. I imagine it will go something like:
"What we did in massachusetts was right for massachusetts. Just because the supreme court upheld Obamacare doesn't mean it is good policy. We have 50 different states that are all different and a one size fits all solution isn't the right way to go. Vote for me and I will work from day 1 to get this repealed and work with the states to come up with a solution that works for them."

241 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:26:38pm

re: #240 danarchy

Not sure this will change his argument much. I imagine it will go something like:
"What we did in massachusetts was right for massachusetts. Just because the supreme court upheld Obamacare doesn't mean it is good policy. We have 50 different states that are all different and a one size fits all solution isn't the right way to go. Vote for me and I will work from day 1 to get this repealed and work with the states to come up with a solution that works for them."

Then you bring out the clips from the 2008 campaign where he bragged about its success when running against McCain and the others. He clearly meant to use it as a model or else he wouldn't have worked for its passage and suggested a similiar model for the country as a whole which is exactly what he did before Obama made a similiar proposal and Mitt being the sleazy opportunist he is ran away from it and acted like it never happened.

242 danarchy  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:30:46pm

re: #241 HappyWarrior

Sure, but that would just be the status quo. Those would be the lines of attack even if the SCOTUS hadn't ruled on it at all.

243 efuseakay  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:44:57pm

These fools should move to Mexico. Even more Christian than the US, and they can get free guns! Mexico is so safe!

244 uk ultraviolet  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 1:16:28pm

re: #20 Charles Johnson

Well yes, hopefully Breitbart's America is indeed dead and gone forever.

245 uk ultraviolet  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 1:33:09pm

re: #57 Targetpractice

I imagine folks across The Pond are absolutely baffled by the conservative response to today's decision, trying to figure out how so many people can believe it the end of the world because their government is trying to ensure all Americans have affordable access to healthcare.

From across the pond, I can confirm you are right.

246 Patricia Kayden  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 1:36:58pm

"So, are the right wing blogs gibbering and freaking out? Of course they are — it’s the reason they exist."

Whatever makes them unhappy is great for me. Love it! Right now as I write, several Dems are walking out of the contempt debate. Good for them!


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