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How much of your money will Tom Corbett waste on a doomed political stunt?
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How much of your money will Tom Corbett waste on a doomed political stunt?
Plenty, it seems. As Holly reported yesterday, Tom Corbett, Republican candidate for governor, has announced that he will join fellow crazypants wingnut AGs from Virginia, Florida and other bastions of insanity in suing to block the health-care reform act President Obama just signed, on account of it being unconstitutional. He's even having a press conference today, at 2:15, to decry socialism or mandates or whatever.
Hopefully, some intrepid Harrisburg reporter will ask him how much taxpayer money he's willing to blow on this epic fail. After all, this one's been pretty well argued, and per usual, the teabaggers have no idea what the fuck they're talking about.
Quoth Jeffrey Toobin:
2. Constitutionality. Various states have threatened to go to court to assert that Congress acted outside its authority in passing the health-care reform bill. Even with a conservative Supreme Court, these challenges seem bound to fail. For decades, the Court has upheld the extensive federal role in health care through such programs as Medicare and Medicaid. This new law is a change in degree, not in kind, and courts will likely stay out of the way.
And Mark A. Hall from Georgetown:
The Constitution permits Congress to legislate a health insurance mandate. Congress can use its Commerce Clause powers or its taxing and spending powers to create such a mandate. Congress can impose a tax on those that do not purchase insurance, or provide tax benefits to those that do purchase insurance. If Congress would like the states to implement an insurance mandate, it can avoid conflicts with the anti-commandeering principle by either preempting state insurance laws or by conditioning federal funds on state compliance. A federal employer mandate for state and local government workers may be subject to a challenge; however, such a challenge is unlikely to be successful. Individual rights challenges under the First AmendmentÂ’s Free Exercise Clause or RFRA are unlikely to succeed, although a federal insurance mandate should include a statement that RFRA does not apply or provide for a religious exemption. Fifth Amendment Due Process and Takings Clause challenges are also unlikely to be successful. The legal analysis presented is likely to endure, as the Supreme CourtÂ’s current position and approach to interpreting relevant constitutional issues appear to be stable.
In other words, ain't gonna happen. And Corbett probably knows that. But hell, he'll probably raise a boatload of money of this thing, so why should he care about chasing this Republican white whale on your dime.
Go, Tom, Go - it will not fail because those of us in the know realize that if we are FORCED to accept government run healthcare, we will leave PA and take our money and jobs with us. So, no money from us to our brothers and sisters who think they have a right to OUR money. Fend for yourselves. Give me Liberty or give me Death!!
Question: How much of your money will Tom Corbett waste on a doomed political stunt? Answer: As much as necessary to get his name out there for his upcoming run as governor. This is nothing more than political grandstanding at taxpayers expense.
I am glad that Tom Corbett is taking a stand to represent the voters of Pensylvania. For too long the urban politicians have dominated and abused the voters of this Commonwealth. Maybe when he is governor things will changes and we can return to solid constitutional values and not the wishes of special interest groups.
Social comments and analytics for this post... This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mitch76256: RT @PhiladelphiaRSS How much of your money will Tom Corbett waste on a doomed political stunt?: Plenty, it seems. http://bit.ly/cTSGJh...
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