Tax Away, Big Government! ACA Moves Forward

Well, that just put a lid on everything I had been planning to tell you about today. How can you screech about a new video game, or crabby comboxes, or ice cream flavors, when our federal government continues to usurp cherished American freedoms?

Obamacare cannot be supported under the Commerce Clause, ruled the Supreme Court in a 5-4 vote; but it can be implemented as a tax.

Yessiree: Despite President Obama’s multiple assertions that “This is not a tax,” a tax it is. So said the Supreme Court, with Catholic Justice John Roberts as the surprise dark horse whose vote with the liberals to interpret the ACA in a new way, not the way intended by the President, tipped the scales—essentially giving new life to the Affordable Care Act and giving the Obama Administration a big victory.

One of the more interesting quotes emanating from the Court—a quote which will likely be used again and again by the Bishops, the Republicans and all who oppose government intrusion into religious life—came from Justice Ruth Ginsberg. Ginsberg said (emphasis mine):

A mandate to purchase a particular product would be unconstitutional if, for example, the edict impermissibly abridged the freedom of speech, interfered with the free exercise of religion, or infringed on a liberty interest protected by the Due Process Clause.

The U.S. Bishops were quick to release a statement, outlining their continuing concerns about the Affordable Care Act. In summary, the USCCB cited three major areas of concern:

First, ACA allows use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions and for plans that cover such abortions, contradicting longstanding federal policy.

Second, the Act fails to include necessary language to provide essential conscience protection, both within and beyond the abortion context

Third, ACA fails to treat immigrant workers and their families fairly. ACA leaves them worse off by not allowing them to purchase health coverage in the new exchanges created under the law, even if they use their own money.

You can read the bishops’ full statement here.

The battle is not over; I’ll see you at the polls in the fall.