Thursday, June 28, 2012

Thoughts on the SCOTUS Affordable Care Act decision.

So the SCOTUS has decided the Affordable Care Act (or, Obamacare) is Constitutional, we will now be inundated with Democratic ball-spiking, Republican hand-wringing and silly news stories about what this means for you.

While this is not a strict political blog, it's such a big decision that I felt the need to record a few initial impressions:

1. This is a big win for Obama and his campaign (one and the same I know).  Any Republican attempts to catagorize it otherwise are folly.
2. It will be fun to watch Obama praise the same SCOTUS that he chastised so strongly for Citizens United. (and vice versa on the Republican side)
3. IF (and that's a big if) this kick-starts Republican enthusiasm for Romney, then we have a race.  If not, then Obama could ride this momentum all the way to a second term.
4. The Republican response will be key.  I don't think chastising the SCOTUS is wise.  What the Republicans need to go is get very serious about how they would improve this law, either through subtraction or modification through legislative means should they receive majorities in November.  Messaging will be key.
5.  The Democratic response to this is already telling. I'm not going to link to anything but the DNC Executive Director's first response was: "It's Constitutional bitches!"  You can find that on Twitter if you look hard enough.

All in all I've never gotten too fired up about this issue and that doesn't change now.  I think it's going to be very punitive toward the poor (the new "tax" for having no health care will hit them hardest) and I think it will increase the cost of healthcare overall over time.  Your mileage may vary.

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