While Republicans and Democrats continue to debate whether or not to reform or repeal the controversial healthcare takeover that took effect this March, another judge has ruled the entire bill unconstitutional.
Under the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution, the federal government has the authority to regulate commerce "among the states". However, in order to regulate something it must first exist. The commerce clause does not give the government the authority to mandate every citizen purchase something from a private corporation.
U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson emphasized precisely this in his ruling, after 26 states took the Healthcare act to court shortly after it's passing. He also looked to show that this was not an issue of the morality or logicality of Government healthcare.
"Regardless of how laudable its attempts may have been to accomplish these goals in passing the act, Congress must operate within the bounds established by the constitution,", Vinson ruled.
In other words, before we can argue whether an action is right or wrong, we must first establish that the decision is ours to make.
Whenever you're hired for a job, the first thing an employer tells you are the responsibilities you take on along with the employment. You must be at work from 9 to 5, complete this, turn in that and so forth. What usually goes unstated are the things you aren't entitled to do for your job. The paper boy in Towson is not responsible for serving pizza at Famiglias, and neither will he be paid to do so. This is not because the paper boy isn't necessarily qualified, capable, or even willing to perform other tasks, but because someone else is entitled to do them. This concept becomes even more exemplified if you entitle yourself to manipulate the way people work and live as part of your job...
In our government, the constitution sets these very boundaries for the very same reason. State governments are responsible for things not specifically dedicated to the feds.
Before we allow ourselves to become caught up in the emotional media of "My health versus My freedom" or "My taxes versus My benefits", it would do us some good to ask ourselves how we live in a nation governed by those who deviate so easily from the document they swear to uphold and defend.
