As all non-under rock dwellers know, the Supreme court today released their decision on the constitutionality of the Affordable Healthcare Act. And as far as I know, no one predicated 5-4 with Roberts as the 5th vote.
This is a triumph for the over 40 million of uninsured Americans who will now have guaranteed coverage. And for the millions more denied care because of pre-existing conditions and all the other inhumane excuses insurance companies used to kill and maim the inconveniently ill.
The fact that it was this close at all is a shock and a shame. Virtually all constitutional scholars agree that the ACA was consistent with the Constitution and past Supreme court decisions. Yet many thought the court would strike it down anyways.
The Supreme court is at the edge of an abyss. Its credibility as a non partisan institution is already at the breaking point. I guess Roberts gazed into the abyss, and it gazed back into him. So he tip toed away.
But Alito, Scalia, Thomas and Kennedy are cheerfully waving as they plummet down. Come on in, they cry! The water's fine!
With this in mind, I know full well who I am voting for this November. Its not just about Obama. If the Supreme court goes full Monty partisan, the loss to our country will be incalculable.
As unimaginable to those like me who grew up in the shadow of Bush vs. Gore, my father speaks wistfully of a time when the Supreme court was as unquestioned and trusted as the air. Lets do everything in our power to bring that back.
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