Thursday Open Thread [6.28.12]
Obamacare survives and it is a win for the good guys! Certainly Obamacare is not the end of the line, but am hoping that progressives will finally look at this as an opportunity to launch an effort to make Obamacare better. The AP-GfK took a poll recently that noted that if Obamacare was overturned, Americans did not want their government to give up on reining in health care costs and issues. To me, that looks like opportunity, for a public option, for single-payer — as long as it gets closer to better control of costs and getting better outcomes for it. But it is time to step up and push for useful revisions to Obamacare before the wingnuts sell everybody on something stupid like buying cheap insurance (that really isn’t insurance) from Texas.
You can go over to Upworthy and gloat over the best Drudge Front Page in a while.
SCOTUSBlog first blog post on the decision.
OK!
Jonathan Cohn has his first take on the decision.
The justices actually issued three decisions. The four liberals effectively embraced the government’s arguments in defense of the law. Four conservative dissenters rejected the government’s arguments. The deciding vote came not from Justice Anthony Kennedy, who led the dissents, but from Chief Justice John Roberts. He rejected arguments that the mandate was a permissible use of federal authority to regulate interstate commerce. But he said that the mandate was effectively the same as a tax and, as a result, passed constitutional muster.
Fox and CNN jump the gun on SCOTUS reporting:
(The embed code doesn’t seem to be working for me, sorry, but this video is well worth the 2 minutes to watch it. Put down all liquids first.)
Burn!
What else interests you today?
but am hoping that progressives will finally look at this as an opportunity to launch an effort to make Obamacare better.
I’m hoping that Democrats will finally look at this as an opportunity to launch an effort to make Obamacare better.
In other SCOTUS news: the Stolen Valor Act was also struck down today.
Governor Markell issues a statement on the ACA decision.
I’m a little torn on the stolen valor thing. Obviously i want to support free speech, but lying about being a military hero (and getting all the honors/free stuff that come come with it) is so, so, gross. It’s like the Phelps thing all over again.
Fun fact: did you know there’s an entire section of Park Rangers who’s job is to hang out at national monuments (because the Mall is a national park) and smoke out fake vets telling “war stories” to tourists? It’s a suprisingly common problem.
Whoops, I didn’t see the CNN/Fox link here… But it is worthy of two references.
But if you are getting goods from lying about being a military hero, can’t they just prosecute you for some form of embezzlement? Why did they need a separate law? Serious question, BTW.
LG, that video is hilarious.
And apparently the AP has been taunting CNN and FOX about that on social media, so much so that AP management told them to stop.
The stolen valor issue reminds me of the movie The Return of Martin Guerre, which is based on a true story.
cassandra–They tried that prosecution angle in one case (forget where) but the court ruled that the specific falsification had no bearing on the “goods” in question.
For most, with politicians, it would be very difficult to quantify that a specific lie about your past had resulted in your being elected.
Much as I hate the fake vets and fake MoH winners, criminalizing social lying is not a step I’m willing to take.
When is the contempt vote happening?
AQC, cspan seems to be carrying the vote live, right now.
I am disappointed that the Obama administration even supported the Stolen Valor Act. If lying isn’t protected free speech, then many product commercials and nearly all politicians are criminal.
Thanks Steve, I was thinking that Stolen Valor would have been meant to provide some extra sanction for people getting some material benefit from claiming they had military honors they didn’t have. Like “show us your Bronze Star for an upgrade to first class” or something.
Pandering to veterans is always a safe political bet, I think.
I attended the Gay Pride Parade on Sunday in San Francisco
My son on a bike was cut off by a truck in Kansas, and escaped w/ only broken arm, torn ligaments of fingers requiring casting etc., and facial sutures.
My brother and family are evacuating from fires in Colorado Springs
ObamaCare was deemed constitutional
I met my 10K healthcare deductible by June 30th
And I’m still thrilled to be an American!!!
Another great week……..
Wow Joanne, I hope your son recovers soon. People never watch for folks on bikes. Hope your other family stays safe. I have a friend who evacuated last night.
Pretending you are a decorated veteran shouldnt be anymore illegal than publicly, and viciously shaming people who falsely claim to be a decorated veteran.
“Patriot” Bill Colley has decided that secession is the ultimate expression of patriotism.
Dear world,
Can we agree that these idiots cannot be called patriots any more?
Thanks,
Geek
We can call then Confederates, though, right? Or does that count as profiling?
They seem to self-identify as such.
Oh, honestly.
In the absence of slavery they had no economy at all. I understand most of these folks believe keeping a majority of their population enslaved would be a fine idea, no ethical qualms. But they’d have been Northern Mexico in a heartbeat, without support from the grownups up North.
Morons.
In the 24 hours since the court upheld the unaffordable care act, The Romney campaign has taken in $4.6 Million in donations from 47,000 doners. My sources also tell me that the Obama campaign has also been seeking donations connected with this ruling, and has taken in $12.00. $5.00 from Michelle Obama, $5.00 from Bill Maher, and $1.00 each from the Obama Children
10k deductible? Jesus Christ, I’d be bankrupt already if mine were that high. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to your son, Joanne.
LOL, patriotism is secession. We all know Colley believes fiction is truth, ignorance is intelligence, war is peace, and austerity is prosperity. And that the best health care policy is the one that results in the most deaths.
And while the Romney campaign was counting the money, Mitt found another $3 million in his sofa cushions.
I think I’ll hit my 10K max out-of-pocket by the end of the summer. The most expensive volleyball game EVER.
I’m hoping for a speedy and full recovery of your son, Joanne.
Stolen Valor was brought on against an individual who stated and thus maybe gained a politcal position when he lied that he was a vet, purple heart and bronze star. Did he actually embezel something? What could he be prosicuted for? What did he gain or take per your comment?