Home > Opinion > Jamie Stiehm > In Healthcare Case, the Supreme Court Is Risking Its Legitimacy

In Healthcare Case, the Supreme Court Is Risking Its Legitimacy

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@ Jaime,
You seem to be suggesting that the Supreme Court make a political decision rather than one based on the constitution. Congress and the President make political decisions, the Supreme Court does not. Asking citizens to write to the court is stupid. Members of the court are tasked with looking at the constitution and nothing else.
The Democrats had a chance to pass a bill that would pass Constitutional muster. If they did not, that is their fault and not the fault of the Supreme Court. I'm sure you would be happy with a 7.5% payroll tax to fund Obamacare, but i bet most voters would not agree.

Bob of TX 4:34PM April 02, 2012

Our bodies are a liability to others just as an automobile is. You don't have to drive but you cannot help you body being a medical liabllity to others.A mandate to buy insurance is necessary just as automobile liabilty is.

Klaus Moritz of NY 4:34PM April 02, 2012

Are you out of your mind, Jamie? Have you even bothered to read the U.S. Constitution?
The Supreme Court is a critical and equal part of the 3-part U.S. federal governmental system. President, Congress, Supreme Court. Checks and balances. Do you not recall your 5th grade social studies classes?
The Court has every right and duty to weigh in on the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress and signed by the President. That is the reason the Court exists.
If Congress and the President violated the U.S. Constitution by passing legislation, the Court must overturn it.
Just because you may disagree wit the Court's decision doesn't give you the authority or legitimacy to declare the Court unjust or unfair.
That you don't even concern yourself with the fact that four of the justices, appointed by democrat presidents, appear to have made up their minds before arguments even began, shows how biased you really are. For goodness' sake, one of the justices even helped build the legal case in favor of Obamacare before she joined the Court. If she were interested in impartiality and actual justice, she would have recused herself from the case entirely.
Just because you disagree with our Court's decision doesn't give you the right to call them illegitimate. If you don't respect the decision of the Court, you don't respect America, the Constitution or the basic principles our society was founded upon.

John Smith of OH 3:48PM April 02, 2012

President Obama lied, cheated, stole, and bribed his healthcare reform into law. Many of the poor suckers that bought into his "big lie" are now sitting at home wondering what happened and the rest are content with the increase in their bank accounts. All of this would not be so bad if we were truly talking "healthcare" and taking care of people. Anyone who has done any reading at all historical or current cases of state-run healthcare knows that this law is not about taking care of people it is about government control into our private lives and the loss of our liberty. In no age or place on the planet has healthcare delivered on its promises. Instead those governments (whether state or international) are facing bankruptcy and if not for the power to raise taxes at will would have bankrupted themselves much sooner.
IF the Supreme Court interprets the Constitution instead of legislating from the Bench then they would rule unamiously to throw out the individual mandate as "un-Constitutional" and throw out the entire healthcare law as unsustainable without the individual mandate.

Carter Bates of FL 3:22PM April 02, 2012

Who does this woman thinks shies? She acts like she represents America,and she sure does not. The majority of Americans are totally against law and 100 million thinks it is unconstitutional. I think many Americans feel this law is unconstitutional and want it overturned. I think I speak for the 100 million whew I say I have already washed your silly comments out of my hair. it is obvious that liberals are trying to intimidate the court through the media and it will not work. We want the Supreme court to rule for us, the majority , just this once.

Stephen a howell of AR 2:45PM April 02, 2012

Why is it that all you liberal hacks always point to the "conservative" justices as any cause in the status of the Supreme Court? Do you really understand what the role of the Supreme Court is? You know to determine if the bills passed by Legislative branch and signed into law by the Executive branch are in-line with and follow the Constitution. This provide “checks and balances” to prevent one branch from seizing power to control the country and in turn the citizens. I know you libs love it when we move away from freedom and liberty, and would love nothing more than to see the fall of capitalism and then I have to ask what you think will happen to you? Do you really think you will be free to run around bad mouthing the government without repercussion? Look around the world, do you see that happening anywhere, NO!
You leftwing hacks do not understand that the United States of America is not just a country or a form of government, it’s an idea. An idea that man should be free; free to think, free to express, and free to debate. I for one do not know what you want, do you? Do you want the precedent to be set that the party in power can override the Constitution because the majority wants something or believes it knows what is best for you? If that is what you want then answer this, what will you do after the next election cycle if both the Legislative and Executive branches become Republican? Or should we just suspend elections until you can get better control over the masses?

Larry of CA 2:43PM April 02, 2012

If the courts strike down the health care bill, I will cancel my health care and start using the free health care, which is what the GOP is saying they are OK with. Let those who have insurance pay for those who dont have health care INS. So why should I continue paying for my health care????

PVT Citizen of TX 2:23PM April 02, 2012

Is there are actual coherent thought or argument in this article, or just a tantrum full of name-calling and hate?
"If five unelected men dare to do that, that would be a radical affront to the constitutional authority of the president and the Congress, who both represent the voices of the people. " This quote clearly shows that you have no idea how government works and dont understand the purpose of the supreme court. Just because a President and Congress pass legislation, doesn't mean it is legal or right. They have rules they need to follow.

dontdeleteme of TX 2:20PM April 02, 2012

"Oh Dear, is that kind commentator asking for facts? Perhaps we should direct his attention to the fact that our medical system is rated as one of the least effective at curing curable diseases precisely because of it's lack of accessibility , that outcomes are worse on basic measures despite the heavy spending per year per customer, or that our rate of infant mortality ranks us as dead last among 23 other nations."
Our system is least effective at curing people because if you cured everyone, too many hospitals, insurance companies, and drug companies would go out of business. our medical system is in the business of allowing people to treat their illness, not cure it. There's more money in treatment, than curing people.

Common Sense of TN 2:18PM April 02, 2012

It is a tell sign that the writer lacks respect for the Constitution to attack the three branch system of government. I am a healthcare worker who has been laid off due to obama's agenda. He is anti-American, and so are you.

Mango of LA 2:18PM April 02, 2012