Comments on: In addition to a health care mandate could Obama mandate people buy a car or donate to political PAC?

By: imaxkr

imaxkr — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:36:21 +0000

Never in this nation’s history has the commerce power been used to require a person who does nothing to engage in economic activity. Therefore, no decision of the Supreme Court has ever upheld such a claim of power. Such a regulation of a "class of inactivity" is of a wholly different kind than any at issue in the Court’s most expansive interpretations.
A mandate to enter into a contract with an insurance company would be the first use of the Commerce Clause to universally mandate an activity by all citizens of the United States.
Today, even voting is not constitutionally mandated. But, if this precedent is established, Congress would have the unlimited power to regulate, prohibit, or mandate any or all activities in the United States. Such a doctrine would abolish any limit on federal power and alter the fundamental relationship of the national government to the states and the people. For this reason it is highly doubtful that the Supreme Court will uphold this assertion of power.

By: Garcia

Garcia — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:36:21 +0000

We live under a living constitution. If our dear leader says you must buy insurance with what the government gave you then you must.

By: spot the cat

spot the cat — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:36:21 +0000

such an intellectual question, thank god i graduated kindergarten so it didn’t fly right over my head

By: Keith O

Keith O — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:36:21 +0000

We need to create this economic impact to stop the zionist on the right!

By: expertgal

expertgal — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:36:21 +0000

I think we already went through a "test" with the
Cash for Clunkers that Obama came up with
(which was not a success). Let’s hope his and
Pelosi’s healthcare plan bombs, and that mandates
to donate to anyone won’t happen now or in the
future.

By: Gordon O

Gordon O — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:36:21 +0000

what have you been smoking, beck weed?

By: daryl leckt

daryl leckt — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:36:21 +0000

I voted for Obama because I believed he was advocating Single Payer Health Care. I know that if America used the same Single Payer, Health Care System that Canada does, America could save a lot of money every year. Example; In 2007, 60% of Americans could afford Health Care. In 2007 Americans spent $2.3 trillion US Dollars, by that same 60% of Americans for Health Care. If in 2007, America was using the Canadian Health Care Model, every living American could have had,100% Medical, Dental, Vision, and seen the Doctor of their choice, for only $1.5 trillion US Dollars. In 2007 that would have been a yearly savings of, $800 billion US Dollars. And knowing all of that, Obama joined with Republicans, and proposed that it become mandatory that Americans purchase Health Insurance. Legislating the Purchase of any Consumer Goods, or Services, is not what Capitalism is based upon. Mandatory Purchases is not what Democracy is about. Giving away $800 billion US Dollars is poor Management of Gov. Resources. I know that Conservative Republicans are owned by the Industrialists, and do not represent me. Tea Baggers are Republicans and Fascist and do not represent me. And Obama has betrayed me. 3RD or Independent Party? Where do I sign up?