THE SUPREMES' STUPENDOUS DECISION

He looked  elegantly relaxed and supremely confident as he walked  through the majestic White House hallway to the podium to proffer his remarks after the Supreme court had made their historical decision regarding the Affordable Healthcare law. No doubt wisely counseled, Obama did not gloat, preach, nor look smug, as he delivered his comments which said, in effect, that the highest court in the land had not struck down this controversial law, but had put their stamp of approval on it. Well, that may have been a stretch, but the law had been upheld,  even though the judges had to revise it, reword it to make it so. Chalk one up for Obama---he desperately needed a win, and he got it---but was it a victory or fuel for his adversaries. And what did we lose in the process?

It was a hugely significant moment in time, and one which will mark a distinct turning point in our nation's history. This country, which was born from a passionate desire to be free of oppression and over reaching tax dictates by the British monarchy---had just been told that we weren't so free after all.  Against all odds, political arm twisting and chicanery, backroom deals, many law suits, and 35% of the voting population, Obamacare struck at the heart of our hard fought legacy,  and will force everyone to purchase health insurance--or pay a fine.

  The Supreme Court,in a confounding, convoluted decision, which will keep analysts guessing for a long time, declared the health care law a tax---a term Obama, himself had vociferously denied while pushing it through congress---most obviously, because  he had promised no new taxes on the middle class, and this law will surely cost the middle class, if nothing else,  in terms of implementation.  But it apparently was the only way the judges could curiously uphold this very revolutionary, cobbled together law, which seems antithetical to our basic principles of freedom. They could not allow it to be part of  our commerce laws, which would mean we were being, uh, forced to buy a product---so they would simply call this mandated purchase, a " tax", thereby recusing themselves from this sticky wicket---what? Yes, for you see, a tax by any other name in this case a "fine", would be unconstitutional, according to the judges. Brilliant, said some.  Mind boggling said others. Parsing of words was what it was---

 But, isn't that taxation without representation? Well, not really. This law did pass, albeit a very partisan, legal congress.  As one of the judges cryptically wrote, they could not be responsible for our political  choices, or try to undo what has already been done.  It was as though they were saying, "you made your bed, now you must lie in it, and all we can do is try to make the sheets fit the bed."

 Still, it was a surprising decision---and a close one. The vote came down 5-4 with Judge John Roberts, appointed and known as a conservative judge, showing up as the swing "decider", and  who disappointed many a conservative with his vote to uphold this controversial law.  What was he thinking? Was it some clever move to set up a future repeal, should the Republicans win in November? Or an even more sinister ploy to draw  more ire and dis-satisfaction against Obama? Or did he fold under pressure and possible intimidation by the administration?  Perhaps he was still smarting from the verbal spanking he received by Obama in front of the entire congress regarding the Corporate Financing Campaign law, which Roberts had greatly influenced on another 5-4 decision. Had the public chastisement humbled him into submission? We will never know, but his vote this time was a stunning betrayal of conservative values, and played a major role in determing this country's future ideological path. We turned left in a big way, and Roberts helped twist the wheel. A Judge or a Judas?

And so, we move on---one step closer to a welfare/entitlement state, and one step further from the America we used to be, when insurance for the indidual was an individual choice, and healthcare was not another government run program. President Obama had his day in court, and it was a good one ---for him. This one man had indeed changed the way we choose to manage our private lives, by taking one of our very personal choices away.  It was and is a striking accomplishment, and testament to the power of a few over many.

 All of us want good things for this country, but many instinctively know that there is a price for freedom---and all things cannot be free.  Someone has to pay either in dollars, quality of goods rendered, or services performed. Our healthcare is still considered the best in the world.  Whether it remains so, remains to be seen. If Obama is a praying man, one wonders if he murmers into his pillow at night---dear God, I hope this works. We hope so, too.  For while Obama and followers may believe that his version of a required health insurance for all is the only way to go,  this particular bill, now law, was fraught with flaws , unacceptable financial burdens, and loss of quality care, from which we may never recover--- employers who will close or never open, because they cannot afford employee insurance, higher premiums resulting in thousands of dollars per household,  a predicted shortage of doctors, and a lowered standard of care, due to an inevitable connection not to what the doctor thinks best, but to what can actually be afforded under the new Affordable Healthcare law. There will still be those who cannot afford any insurance, but many more of us will be covered---to an extent, and at what cost and sacrifice?

The Supreme Court has spoken, but law or not, the jury of public opinion has not reached a final verdict ----that court convenes in November. Now is the time for us, the many, to decide which few we will choose to make our future decisions. 


It is noteworthy to remember that  236 years ago, this very month of July,  a group of very bright, passionate and articulate men met in Boston and wept after signing a document forever known as the "Declaration of Independence". They knew and appreciated the precious value of freedom of choice---may we think carefully before we dismantle piece by piece any more of it. Or like the Supreme Court's recent action, attempt to revise and re-do words to fit a few in power.


 As Obama stood basking in the light of victory,  and the country was slowly learning the momentous, history making news, there was no celebration in the streets or  sounds of  triumph and joy anywhere.  All was quiet--except perhaps for a few tears.  Breaking up is hard to do-----