This is CRAP people, don’t fall for this BS. They are lowering expectations. As we all know, the questioning phase of a Supreme Court inquisition can often feel just like that. You cannot absolutely tell how the justices are going to vote, based on the questions asked or the tone or manner. I have seen it go the other way too many times.
I actually think a federal individual mandate would be very hard to uphold, even for some of the more liberal judges.
A state mandate to buy a product (such as auto insurance) is a different matter, because it protects that state from expenses, the same of which could be said of state-mandated health insurance. But this is also because an individual state does not contemplate becoming the sole provider of that product, which is clearly the aim of Obamacare. So there are mandates and there are mandates, but I think most rational judges will have to find that this one exceeds the permitted scope of federal action.
If individuals are forced to buy healthcare where does it stop?
Imagine the government auditing neighborhoods for old and energy inefficient windows. Afterall, everyone needs energy for their home. Why can’t the government then tax folks for wasting energy if they don’t have the best windows available?
Same with cars. Everyone driving a gas-guzzler is causing a higher demand for energy and increased costs that are passed on to everyone. Tax folks driving a car that doesn’t meet minimum mileage standards.
In fact, doesn’t everyone need a car in this country? Tax everyone who doesn’t have a car. Folks that live in rural areas all need cars. Taxing folks who live in a city and don’t need a car will help offset the cost of getting a car to poor folks in rural areas. Another benefit would be it would help the auto industry.
We keep hearing that EDUCATION is an absolute necessity. Tax every parent that does not send there kid to a 4 year college/University. Many kids that do not have a college degree end up being deadbeats(OWS) and are a drag on society. Tax the people who don’t want to go to college to help pay for the kids who do want to go to college. Hold on!, you say. Many folks who want to go to college can’t afford to go. I suggest a tax for a failure to prepare adequately for a childs education. Hold on!, you say again. I did save enough for ONE child to go to college. The problem is I have 3 children. Okay. We will then tax you for having more kids than you can afford.
You could go on and on.