According to a majority on the Supreme Court, Obamacare’s penalty for not buying medical insurance is constitutional because it’s a “tax,” not a “penalty.” Hmmm. All taxes may penalize, and penalties sure can be “taxing,” but this similarity doesn’t give us license to swap one for the other.
Chief Justice John Roberts reportedly flip-flopped about whether the Obamacare mandate is unconstitutional — perhaps in fear of left-leaning politicians and pundits. (“We’re not going to like you if you hinder our tyrannical medical regime by applying constitutional principles!”)
The chief’s formal opinion states that under the Constitution the wisdom of legislation is a “judgment . . . reserved to the people.” Whoa. Hasn’t Marbury been decided? Doesn’t the courts’ power of judicial review help ensure that constitutional restraints on government power continue to restrain?
Well, just because the Roberts Court refuses to do its job doesn’t mean we must twiddle our thumbs in response. We can fight for an anti-Obamacare majority in Congress and the White House in November.
We can also urge our state governments to decline to cooperate with Obamacare right now. As wretched as it is, the court’s ruling at least overrules the new law’s attempt to force states to massively expand Medicaid. Almost immediately after the ruling, Florida Governor Rick Scott, who had refused to cooperate with other aspects of the law, announced that Florida will not expand Medicaid eligibility. A dozen or so other governors have made similar commitments.
What about your governor? Do you need to make a phone call?
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
General George Washington ordered the Declaration of Independence to be read alout to the troops of the Continental Army in New York, for the first time, on July 9, 1776. In 1793 on this date, Upper Canada passed the Act Against Slavery, prohibiting important of slaves into Lower Canada. In 1816, Argentina declared independence from Spain. In 1876, the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified.
When the tempest rages, when the thunders roar, and the lightnings blaze around us it is then that the truly brave man stands firm at his post.
Since the very beasts, although made for the service of man, cannot become accustomed to control without protest, what evil chance has so denatured man that he, the only creature really born to be free, lacks the memory of his original condition and the desire to return to it?
On July 7, 1863, the United States begins its first military draft, allowing individuals an exemption at the price of $300. For the wealthy who can afford it, the exemption, not the draft, may be said to be “neater than sliced bread” — a product first sold on this date in 1928 by the Chillicothe Baking Company in Missouri.
July 6 marks some horrific attacks upon individual liberty — indeed, on individuals’ lives. In 1415, Jan Hus is burned at the stake. In 1535, King Henry VIII of England has Sir Thomas More executed for treason. In 1939, the Nazis close the last remaining Jewish enterprises in Germany. Exactly three years later, Anne Frank and her family go into hiding. 
