Healthcare reform

Being buried beneath the Egyptian revolution is yet more reason for Americans to live in the season of their discontent. A Florida judge (and Bush appointee, I will add) has declared the new healthcare law unconstitutional. According to the judge, the mandates that require nearly all Americans to purchase healthcare are unconstitutional and not within the legal bounds of the congress. (read more including a link that includes the full text of the judges ruling: here) So while the Republicans in the House are incapable of overturning their bane "Obamacare" in spite of their best efforts, it is now in serious jeopardy because of this judge. So what will happen next? Politico reporter Jennifer Haberkorn informs us that that the next step is,

"The Pensacola case is now likely headed for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in Atlanta and considered of one of the most conservative circuit courts. Other reform-related lawsuits are traveling through the Fourth and Sixth Circuits.

So far, four district court judges have ruled on the merits of the health reform law. Underscoring the political subtext of the legal debate, the judges have ruled along partisan lines.

Two judges, both appointed by Republican presidents, have struck down the law or its main provision. Two other judges appointed by Democrats have upheld the legislation as constitutional.

A dozen more legal challenges to reform have been knocked out of court on procedural grounds.

But the Florida lawsuit is the most high-profile and politically charged lawsuit against reform. It was brought by 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Business. In addition, several members of Congress signed amicus briefs in support or opposition.

The issue is widely expected to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/48517.html#ixzz1ClMmva4i

And of course if the issue goes to the Supreme Court, there is little doubt which way that ever right leaning court will bend this time.
The New York Observer published these comments from Anthony Wener's appearance on MSNBC's 'The Last Word' with Lawrence O'Donnell.
"Anthony Weiner appeared (again) on MSNBC last night to talk about yesterday's lower court decision that called the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional.
Weiner said that the judge who rendered the verdict, was, like most conservatives, happy to engage in judicial activism when it suited his political interests, and he took a shot across the bow at  the Supreme Court, who will likely ultimately decide the constiutionality of the bill, saying that despite the merits of the law, it is impossible to predict how such a politicized body will rule.
And finally, Weiner took another shot at G.O.P. presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty, saying that his coffee cup "knows more about health care reform than Pawlenty knows."  You can watch the whole comment at the link provided below:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/41360790#41360790

How long will Americans keep watching the protections they need be chipped away? It seems to me that Americans anger expresses itself in individual outbursts that we can then label as isolated events that show signs of schizophrenia or paranoia. I guess that's what it's called until a whole population stands together and says enough is enough.

Photograph: Yannis Behrakis/Reuters