What's going to happen? Place your bets!

I'm thinking it's going to be 5-4. Roberts really wants a 6-3, but I don't think he'll be able to reign in that extra vote. I'll bet they uphold the mandate on Commercial Clause grounds, and I don't think any of them will construe the penalties as a tax. Also, I don't think Roberts wants his court to look as partisan as it appears to be right now.

If they strike down the mandate, I'll bet they find the act severable.

6/28/2012 8:34:58 AM

Strike down + severability. And once it's "done" it wont look anything like the original bill.

6/28/2012 8:51:21 AM

i just don't see how the proponents on the floor of Congress can argue during debate that the rest of the bill hinges on one specific section and then have the court say it's severable. It's an insult to the intelligence of every American (maybe a compliment to some)

6/28/2012 8:52:53 AM

We're talking about the same people who used the broccoli argument during oral arguments concerning the commerce clause. It's a logical fallacy that i'm sure all of the justices were aware of, yet they took the argument right off fox news and used it anyway. They know how stupid many of us Americans are

6/28/2012 9:03:06 AM

You bastards aren't very fun

6/28/2012 9:32:21 AM

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Chewbacca. Chewbacca is a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk. But Chewbacca lives on the planet Endor. Now think about it; that does not make sense!

6/28/2012 10:07:45 AM

mandate upheld!

6/28/2012 10:11:00 AM

UPHELD!

6/28/2012 10:11:13 AM

[Edited on June 28, 2012 at 10:13 AM. Reason : CNN Deweyed the ruling ]

6/28/2012 10:12:49 AM

^^,^^^ Wait did I miss something?

6/28/2012 10:13:25 AM

They struck down the CC argument (stupid) but they still upheld the mandate, saying the penalties are proper under tax power

6/28/2012 10:14:11 AM

now I'm confused

6/28/2012 10:18:17 AM

They said the Commerce Clause did not apply as a legitimate reason to keep ACA, but they still upheld it as an extension of the taxation power of Congress.

[Edited on June 28, 2012 at 10:20 AM. Reason : ]

6/28/2012 10:19:31 AM

^that's actually an important distinction


this was expected, at least by me.


just remember, just because it's constitutional doesn't mean it's a good idea, or even the right thing to do. Thus, i'm against the healthcare act... but I'd likely rule that, under the tax powers, it's fully constitutional.

6/28/2012 10:19:41 AM

I got the 5-4 part right, but was wrong about the CC and Tax powers. Close enough!

6/28/2012 10:20:14 AM

The court reinforces that individuals can simply refuse to pay the tax and not comply with the mandate.

Also its saying on Drudge that it was 6-3.

[Edited on June 28, 2012 at 10:21 AM. Reason : ]

6/28/2012 10:20:37 AM

CNN pwnt, stay home.

6/28/2012 10:21:28 AM

good.

6/28/2012 10:21:50 AM

Kennedy and Roberts joined the "left block" for this decision.


Scalia, Thomas, and Alito dissented.

6/28/2012 10:22:35 AM

I can't wait to read Scalia's bench statement. He was probably foaming at the mouth as he was dictating it to his clerk.

6/28/2012 10:24:22 AM

I'm going to watch fox news for a bit..... For the lulz

6/28/2012 10:28:41 AM

lol that's a good idea

6/28/2012 10:30:50 AM

6/28/2012 10:33:33 AM

Quote :

"Kennedy and Roberts joined the "left block" for this decision. Scalia, Thomas, and Alito dissented."

Kennedy voted with the 'conservative' block, at least according to the scotusblog

6/28/2012 10:35:24 AM

Roberts was apparently the "swing vote"

6/28/2012 10:36:50 AM

Opinion is live

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/11-393c3a2.pdf

6/28/2012 10:39:10 AM

ahh. Original reports were that it was 6-3.

Guess it was 5-4.

6/28/2012 10:40:53 AM

this may actually the best thing to happen for republicans.


Money is going to pour into the Romney campaign. Considering there was serious doubt as to whether the conservative base would turn out for Romney, I'd say that's gone now.

Since Romney is running on a "repeal Obamacare" platform, this makes it one of the central issues in the upcoming election.

6/28/2012 10:43:29 AM

Romney will be all like "MAN FUCK THIS, I PROMISE I AM GOING TO REPEAL MY OWN IDEA AND REPLACE IT WITH A VAGUE AND UNDEFINED LONG TERM SOLUTION!"

6/28/2012 10:46:43 AM

has obama made a statement yet??

6/28/2012 10:47:36 AM

ya'll bitches is crazy

we all know ron paul is going to run that shit and bring back the articles of confederation

6/28/2012 10:48:05 AM

Quote :

"Romney will be all like "MAN FUCK THIS, I PROMISE I AM GOING TO REPEAL MY OWN IDEA AND REPLACE IT WITH A VAGUE AND UNDEFINED LONG TERM SOLUTION!" "

hahaha

6/28/2012 10:48:30 AM

Quote :

"this may actually the best thing to happen for republicans. Money is going to pour into the Romney campaign. Considering there was serious doubt as to whether the conservative base would turn out for Romney, I'd say that's gone now. Since Romney is running on a "repeal Obamacare" platform, this makes it one of the central issues in the upcoming election."

There were a few cynics who thought this was why Roberts would vote to uphold it, to ensure a Romney win.

6/28/2012 10:49:14 AM

Going to go read the foaming at the mouth comments I'm sure are being posted on Facebook.

6/28/2012 10:49:55 AM

Roberts totally Severus Snaped the gop...got you fuckers

6/28/2012 10:50:14 AM

^^ oh shit, great idea

[Edited on June 28, 2012 at 10:50 AM. Reason : ]

6/28/2012 10:50:25 AM

plus obama is on record now as a straight up liar.

before opening arguments he said during multiple interviews that it was NOT a tax.

6/28/2012 10:50:56 AM

lol at the heads exploding on Pack Pride

6/28/2012 10:52:20 AM

Tread carefully. I've already been tempted to delete a few lifelong friends who are already complaining about "smaller paychecks" and whatnot.

God forbid people have access to basic healthcare.

6/28/2012 10:52:21 AM

GOLO is already at 87 comments on WRAL. I bet there are some gems.

6/28/2012 10:56:04 AM

I like that a lot of the people I know bitching about "smaller paychecks" already have healthcare

6/28/2012 10:58:06 AM

lol PackPride: "Reagan did all of that good work for nothing."

6/28/2012 10:58:42 AM

LMAO

Let's worship the one moderately successful republican president in the last 50 years!!!!!!!!!!111

[Edited on June 28, 2012 at 10:59 AM. Reason : ]

6/28/2012 10:59:17 AM

Roberts did not vote for the law to surreptitiously justify a Romney win. To even consider that is beyond idiotic.

I mean like, really really really fucking stupid.

6/28/2012 11:02:58 AM

Quote :

"Romney will be all like "MAN FUCK THIS, I PROMISE I AM GOING TO REPEAL MY OWN IDEA AND REPLACE IT WITH A VAGUE AND UNDEFINED LONG TERM SOLUTION!""

L

O

L



[Edited on June 28, 2012 at 11:07 AM. Reason : e]

6/28/2012 11:06:10 AM

Quote :

"God forbid people have access to basic healthcare."

too bad this law doesn't do anything to address that. it just makes people buy insurance. another poor fool who thinks that insurance is healthcare


so, basically, Congress can now force you to buy a car or face a "tax". freaking brilliant

[Edited on June 28, 2012 at 11:16 AM. Reason : ]

6/28/2012 11:15:05 AM

I'm about as liberal as it gets and even I think the mandate is stupid.

I suggest nationalizing all of the nation's hospitals, doctors offices, etc. Freezing prices, and installing a public option.

6/28/2012 11:22:11 AM

^^Cars don't have a spiral of adverse selection that insurance does, so that is a horrible analogy.

Find one better and then we can talk.

[Edited on June 28, 2012 at 11:22 AM. Reason : ^^]

6/28/2012 11:22:32 AM

^^^The tax is extremely weak: If you can't find a plan costing less than 8% of gross income, you're off the hook, and even if you can and just don't wanna, you only get dinged for up to 2% of gross income, and even though it would be unlawful to refuse to pay that tax, the IRS's hands are tied with respect to collecting it, like you can't get sued or subject to a lien, garnishment, or criminal charge.

[Edited on June 28, 2012 at 11:24 AM. Reason : ^The term of today is "adverse selection"; gg

6/28/2012 11:23:14 AM

Quote :

"GOLO is already at 87 comments on WRAL. I bet there are some gems. "

How right you are!

Quote :

"And they clarify it for what it is.....a TAX on everyone, that will be the largest middleclass tax increases in history!"

Quote :

"This is horrible! The only thing that makes me feel better is knowing that all those who blindly support Obama's health care will have to pay just like the rest of us. Seriously, thinking about retiring and moving out of the US."

Quote :

"we must repeal this law it is destroying the economy "

Yes, healthcare reform is what is destroying our economy. Not, you know, the housing bubble and subsequent economic slowdown.

Quote :

"Sad, the SCOTUS has become a rubber stamp for the leftist dictator O'bama and his medical/drug industry supporters... I, for one will not buy, and will not pay the fine. Will be writing from Sing-Sing soon..."

Quote :

"Sigh socialism wins in the US? What kind of backward deals were made on this heap of junk. Oh well SCOTUS has spoke and it's now done. The thought of becoming one of the lazy in this country and letting the working man pay my way has just received another vote!"

Quote :

"Communism at its best!! It's a sad day for our country. "

Quote :

"The end of america "

Quote :

"Very bad decision. It is truly scary to see what other countries who have nationalized healthcare have experienced and now we will go down the same steps. America is not the land of the free, it now the land of everybody getting something for free. "

More affordable healthcare with better health statistics is scary?

Quote :

"America is now an Eastern European style country...we are socilist and finished. "

Quote :

"Wow, way to pass the buck. Now our ONCE great society has reverted back to medieval times and is segregating people by Class. I would have been MUCH less offended if this law applied to ALL peoples in the US but alas we SUBJECTS must not be capable of taking care of ourselves. "

Quote :

"They passed the individual mandate through as a tax???? Nearly 50% of Americans pay no individual income tax, and are already getting "free" healthcare through Medicaid and other government subsidies. Do you honestly think these freeloaders will now actually pay a tax or a fine? Once again, hardworking taxpayers will get the shaft..... "

If they get Medicaid, why would they be buying private insurance?

And that's just the first two pages of comments

6/28/2012 11:23:44 AM