Supreme Court Issues Decision on the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) |
>
|
|
|
June 28, 2012--On Thursday the
U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion [PDF]
on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as
ObamaCare. President Obama's signature accomplishment was at
stake, and Election Day, November 6 was less than five months
away. The decision was seen by some as the most important ruling
by the Court since Bush v. Gore,
and
pundits
and
prognositicators
had
been laying out scenarios for
several
weeks as to what might happen. As supporters and opponents
gathered outside the Court, it was widely expected that the justices
would strike down the individidual mandate at the center of
ObamaCare. Recall that when Solicitor General
Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. had argued the case three months ago (+), many or
most observers thought he had not done well. The justices seemed
to show considerable skepticism. However, it is
notoriously difficult to devine the intentions of the justices, and
Chief Justice John Roberts surprised just about everyone as he joined a
5 to 4 majority in concluding "that the individual mandate may be
upheld as within Congress’s power under the Taxing Clause."
[reactions: supporters
| opponents | more]
|
|
|
|
Gregg C. Cummings, Iowa state
coordinator for Tea Party Patriots, helped lead opponents of
ObamaCare. Chants included "the Constitution matters!" "you
cannot fix unconstitutional!" "my health, my say!" and "strike it
down!" |
|
|
|
Supporters of the health care
reform law chanted "we love ObamaCare!" At one point the sound
system played Bob Marley's "One Love." The lyrics "let's get
together and feel all right" set an upbeat tone.
|
|
|
|
Another point of view was
represented by "Belly Dancers for Single Payer" (the TarabRaqs).
|
|
Next
> |
|