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Whether Obamacare Is a Tax Depends on Venue Aide Says
Semi-News/Semi-Satire ^ | 18 Feb 2012 | John Semmens

Posted on 02/20/2012 10:55:01 AM PST by John Semmens

A key argument of the Obama Administration’s legal defense of the President’s signature health care legislation was called into question by acting White House budget director Jeff Zients’ testimony before the House Budget Committee. Zients was arguing that the penalty assessed by Obamacare on a person who fails to purchase insurance is NOT a tax.

On the other hand, Obama’s lawyers have been arguing that the penalty IS a tax. This argument is necessitated in order for the Obamacare law to appear to be Constitutional. While Congress lacks the authority to require a person to purchase a product—heath insurance being such an item—it does have the authority to impose a tax.

Zients attempted to finesse the issue by contending that offering contradictory arguments in different venues is okay. “Look, from the legal perspective it is imperative that the penalty be classified as a tax,” Zients told Representative Scott Garrett (R-NJ). “So, that’s what the lawyers say it is. But from a political perspective it is important that the President not be perceived as reneging on his promise not to raise taxes on those making under $250,000 a year. So, that’s why I’m telling you it is not a tax.”

if you missed any of this week's other semi-news posts you can find them at...

http://azconservative.org/2012/02/18/congresswoman-clarifies-who-is-entitled-to-impose-values-on-others/


TOPICS: Government; Health/Medicine; Politics
KEYWORDS: deceit; lies; obamacare; satire

1 posted on 02/20/2012 10:55:14 AM PST by John Semmens
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To: John Semmens

I was for Obamacare taxes before I was against it.


2 posted on 02/20/2012 10:59:17 AM PST by EQAndyBuzz (Most Conservative in the Primary, the Republican Nominee in the General.)
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To: John Semmens

Call what you want tax,fee,fine it’s one thing illegal,but what isn’t with Obama?.


3 posted on 02/20/2012 11:01:44 AM PST by Vaduz
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To: John Semmens

:)


4 posted on 02/20/2012 11:24:10 AM PST by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will, they ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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5 posted on 02/20/2012 11:28:15 AM PST by DJ MacWoW (America! The wolves are here! What will you do?)
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To: John Semmens

Lots of truth in the satire. My mind always questions how they think it’s legal to tax a non-transaction where nothing of value is exchanged. If they can do that, they can decide to tax anyone for having a funny name.


6 posted on 02/20/2012 12:08:31 PM PST by trebb ("If a man will not work, he should not eat" From 2 Thes 3)
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To: John Semmens

Not satire because it’s true.


7 posted on 02/20/2012 1:58:25 PM PST by FateAmenableToChange
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