The Obama Tax

[Po Monkey Lounger]

The Supreme Court upheld the Obamacare mandate based upon the taxing power of the federal government, not based upon its power under the Commerce Clause (power to regulate commerce).

While in some respect, this is an important distinction, the net effect is still the same. The federal government cannot make you buy health insurance, but can impose a "tax" upon you if you do not. I was trying to think of any other federal tax that imposes a tax upon an individual for not buying a certain product. I can't. Can anyone else? Am I missing something obvious?

Here is the logical extrapolation of this development. If the government can force you to buy health insurance by taxing you for the cost of such if you don't, then the federal government can and will dictate what type of health insurance policy that we have to purchase in order to avoid the tax.

I prefer a high deductible health insurance policy because the premiums are much less expensive, and I just take care of the costs within the deductible out of pocket. This protects me from the big ticket stuff, and I pay for the little stuff. Many out there are just like me in this regard. But, there are many out there who think a health insurance policy should pay for darn near everything, because these folks run to the doctor's office with every little cold, cough, sniffle, ache or pain. And many of these type folks are the ones on government health care plan already. So, what type of plan do you think our nanny state government is going to dictate that we purchase, whether we like it or not? And how much more money out of our pocket do you think that level of unnecessary health insurance coverage is going to cost each of us, just so we can subsidize the hypochondriacs with nothing better to do than spend a day waiting around at a doctor's office?

Health insurance premiums have already increased since Obamacare (er ObamaTax) was passed, even though it has not even been fully implemented. And despite the liberals' proclaimed love affair with this new law, there have been a ridiculous number of waivers of the law granted by the administration to those entities who the administration favors. Why? If this new law is so great, why isn't it great for everyone? The CBO estimates re the cost of ObamaCare have steadily risen since its implementation, with the full costs still yet unknown. The big drug companies met in secret with this administration and were awarded huge concessions for their support of ObamaCare before it passed --- eg the Medicare and Medicaid and government health care insurance programs are prohibited from purchasing prescription medicines overseas (where for some strange reason these drugs are sold for pennies on the dollar compared to prices in the US). The hidden abortion funding provisions have been upheld against the will of the majority opposed to any public funding of abortion. Funding of contraception is being forced upon Catholic based charitable hospitals and medical facilities/providers. Like Nancy Pelosi said, we will have to pass this bill to find out what is in it. And the bad surprises just keep coming and coming.

Like Mitt Romney said today, the only way to get rid of ObamaCare, is to get rid of Obama. (And yes, Mitt helped pass a similar stype of health care law in Mass. when he was governor, but this was at the state level --- the people in that state have the right to end it as well). Despite Mitt's checkered history on this issue, he has promised to repeal ObamaCare if he is elected. I plan to take my chances with Mitt.

Until November, when Obama and his ObamaTax will hopefully come tumbling down, I thought it might be fun to play the new tax game. What new taxes can you come up with that tax people for NOT purchasing a product, or not engaging in a particular activity, or engaging in an activity, because the action or inaction is a drain on our collective resources. Here are some of my ideas.

How about a tax on those who have children out of wedlock (fathering and birthing)?

How about a sterilization tax and sterilization for those who have more than one child out of wedlock (fathering and birthing).

How about a tax on those who have never served in the military, the proceeds of which would go to fund the military? Those who have served are exempted.

How about a tax on those who go to the Emergency Room for treatment who do not have medical emergencies?

How about a tax upon those who do not purchase hunting and fishing licenses, the funds for which will go to support wildlife conservation?

[MemphisStockBroker]

Does the country really have the balls to stand up and demand that this law be repealed because it is wrong...

Or will we sit by and bitch about it, taking no real action to change it ?

[SHANE704]

what would the process be to repeal something like this that the supreme court has ruled on?

[torch]

what would the process be to repeal something like this that the supreme court has ruled on?

Civil War.

[Ster]

what would the process be to repeal something like this that the supreme court has ruled on?

There is only one legal option and that is to start placing legislators and executives that will remove the law through the legislative process. That is essentially what Justice Roberts stated in his Majority opinion. That we the people need to quit electing legislators and executives that produce such unpopular and tyrannical laws. As Justice Roberts stated in his opinion, it isn't the Courts purpose to offer an opinion on the wisdom of the law.

I think Justice Roberts was sending a shot across the bow of the American people telling them to wake up. If you don't like crappy laws then quit electing crappy representatives, senators, and presidents.

The concern I have about this nation, is that we are evolving into a nation that wants those crappy laws and therefore that is the reason we elect people like Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Obama etc...

[Deltamud77]

It cannot be a tax as it originated in the Senate. Any tax that comes from Congress has to originate in the House. They (Obama) argued it was a tax before the Court successfully...after getting it past Congress saying it wasn't a tax before the people. This will amount to the largest tax increase in US history and it will hit the lower and middle class much harder than upper middle class and upper class, who tend to have insurance through their work.

Here is the deal though...we as a country elected Obama and allowed Reid and Pelosi to sit in their respective positions of authority. Obama is only a reflection of the nation. He, in many ways, is the distillate of what the liberal agenda has been promoting since the 1930s. Think about it for a second, Obama is from God only knows where. He is half-white, half-black. He is Ivy League educated. He was a community organizer. He is eloquent and charismatic. He is at best a European style socialist, and at worst a Lenin style communist, and most likely a sociopath pursuing statist agendas and using this nation and its resources like a parasite uses a host until the host dies. He, is a nut-shell, the ideal Democrat candidate.

How many 30 year olds have you ever met that have actively shopped their own autobiographies when their only accomplishment is completing law school? I only know of one and he is our president. And, as it turns out, much of this autobiography is a fabrication.

We are a nation that loves celebrity and we are a nation in which the masses do not pay attention, and for the 30 seconds a day they do pay attention, they get their information from what amounts to a state run media.

We are done, fellas. I don't think there will be sesession, I don't believe there will be an armed rebellion, I don't believe the Rs taking back the Congress and presidency will do anything because inside the Beltway, they are all the same. They are not like you and I. They do not share our ideals and values, and deep down, they have no love for this country.

The liberals were smart enough to take advantage of the fundamental flaw of our style of government...the people can vote themselves paychecks. Obama was simply the end game in what was started by FDR. For that reason, I don't hate Obama. He is merely the manifestation of what we have allowed ourselves to become.

[jacksbuddy]

Ok, here is my question. Since it is a tax, as stated by the Supreme Court of the United States of America. And since this tax is owed regardless of the ability to pay, unlike income tax which is based on the money you earn or sales tax which is based on the price of goods you purchase, doesn't this mean that those who do not purchase the insurance will still have to pay the tax? Think about it, Shameeka/Charleene will have to actually pay something for the healthcare that each of their 5 children receive, regardless of whether any of the 4 baby daddies step up to the plate or not.

In other words, there goes their free healthcare. They are now going to have to start paying and receiving less services. I hope they like the changes.

And here's another question. What about the employer limits? Aren't employers with less than a certain number of employee going to be exempt from providing health insurance to employees? And if so, how fast do you think that employers will be laying off workers to get below that cap in order to remain competitive? Thoughts and comments?

[peewee]

Ok, here is my question. Since it is a tax, as stated by the Supreme Court of the United States of America. And since this tax is owed regardless of the ability to pay, unlike income tax which is based on the money you earn or sales tax which is based on the price of goods you purchase, doesn't this mean that those who do not purchase the insurance will still have to pay the tax? Think about it, Shameeka/Charleene will have to actually pay something for the healthcare that each of their 5 children receive, regardless of whether any of the 4 baby daddies step up to the plate or not.

In other words, there goes their free healthcare. They are now going to have to start paying and receiving less services. I hope they like the changes.

And here's another question. What about the employer limits? Aren't employers with less than a certain number of employee going to be exempt from providing health insurance to employees? And if so, how fast do you think that employers will be laying off workers to get below that cap in order to remain competitive? Thoughts and comments?

What I believe the answer to your first ? is that they wont have to buy insurance. Remember the law says MOST AMERICANS, not all. We have 48 % of the population that does not pay federal income tax. Guess which ones are going to be exempt from purchasing while the other half of Americans foot the bill.

Companys with over 50 (I believe) employees will be required. Just think about in each of our MS towns how many small businesses have 40 - 60 employees. Alot of times we actually think they are large business but compared to the Walmarts, Energy companies etc. they are very small. Know how many of these businesses are going to want to expand (NONE). How many will be laying off several employees?

[SNOT]

Ok, here is my question. Since it is a tax, as stated by the Supreme Court of the United States of America. And since this tax is owed regardless of the ability to pay, unlike income tax which is based on the money you earn or sales tax which is based on the price of goods you purchase, doesn't this mean that those who do not purchase the insurance will still have to pay the tax? Think about it, Shameeka/Charleene will have to actually pay something for the healthcare that each of their 5 children receive, regardless of whether any of the 4 baby daddies step up to the plate or not.

In other words, there goes their free healthcare. They are now going to have to start paying and receiving less services. I hope they like the changes.

And here's another question. What about the employer limits? Aren't employers with less than a certain number of employee going to be exempt from providing health insurance to employees? And if so, how fast do you think that employers will be laying off workers to get below that cap in order to remain competitive? Thoughts and comments?

The way I understand it is "poor" people or people who choose not to work or individuals who's income is x amount or lower will not have to pay the tax/penalty.... So again, the producers in society will pay for another entitlement to the non-producers. If I was a 23 year old person that just finished school and got my first real job making 30k a year and having to pay back 40k in student loans and I was healthy and didn't feel like buying health insurance I would be pissed if I had to buy insurance because of Obamacare because that's how it will be. There's your mandate and that's who is going to fund this crap. Healthcare will eventually be watered down to where the guy that produces and is forced to buy insurance or pay the tax/penalty will get the same care as some welfare queen with 10 kids.

Companies with 50 or more employees will be required to cover their employees - I guess alot of companies will lay people off or start using subs or outsourcing more work.

[the doctor]

I'd pay the military tax. Aint enough money in the world for me to do what those men and women do for our country. Thank you.

the doc

[rawalley]

[farmerc83]

If I was a 23 year old person that just finished school and got my first real job making 30k a year and having to pay back 40k in student loans and I was healthy and didn't feel like buying health insurance I would be pissed if I had to buy insurance because of Obamacare because that's how it will be. There's your mandate and that's who is going to fund this crap.

What happens under our current system when that 23 yo is in car wreck, tears their ACL playing a pick up game, or gets pregnant? I'm no fan of this healthcare law, but why can one not pay and play the "odds" with our current system, knowing there is a safety net, when some of us are paying for health insurance but seldom using it? To clarify, the safety net referred to is knowing that a hospital can't turn you away even if you have no way to pay.

I repeat, I am in no way in favor of this law, penalty, tax or the way it was passed, but something has to change with our current healthcare structure to incorporate some personal responsibility.

[trey]

If I was a 23 year old person that just finished school and got my first real job making 30k a year and having to pay back 40k in student loans and I was healthy and didn't feel like buying health insurance I would be pissed if I had to buy insurance because of Obamacare because that's how it will be. There's your mandate and that's who is going to fund this crap.

What happens under our current system when that 23 yo is in car wreck, tears their ACL playing a pick up game, or gets pregnant? I'm no fan of this healthcare law, but why can one not pay and play the "odds" with our current system, knowing there is a safety net, when some of us are paying for health insurance but seldom using it? To clarify, the safety net referred to is knowing that a hospital can't turn you away even if you have no way to pay.

I repeat, I am in no way in favor of this law, penalty, tax or the way it was passed, but something has to change with our current healthcare structure to incorporate some personal responsibility.

That 23 yr old can remain on his parents policy till he is 26... Individual plans don't offer childbirth coverage now. This law just sucks booty all the new taxes on business, largest tax hike in american history, half of americans fund Medicaid and Medicare, Half of america funds every program that is available, this country has gotten worst since FDR and it's just snowballing like crazy... It's all downhill from here, we(the country) allowed this to happen.... The government can tax yo booty for what it sees fit now! If you don't buy health insurance, you don't get treatment! If you don't have money, you don't eat at a restaurant... I pay $90/month for my healhcare, my car insurance is $78/month. i don't see what the big deal is... I don't drive a mercedes b/c I can't afford... I don't have a $500 deductible b/c for one it's a scam and two, I can't afford it! Yes you can get treatment at the ER however, it will go against your credit but the individuals that abuse this are the very ones that rely on us to fund their programs... Housing progams, food stamps, etcc... I deal with good people everyday that are payin medical bills every month, they chose to go without healthcare and now they are paying for it.... They chose that option.. I think our healthcare system is great the way it is now... Healthcare is a service, you have to pay for that service either monthly to an insurance company or monthly/lumpsum to a provider after services rendered. Either way you are paying for it.. There are other ways to lower healthcare cost and tax half the country to pay for all of the country will destroy this economy!

[4dawgma]

Just curious, the government wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens? How does that work?

[trey]

Just curious, the government wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens? How does that work?

Works great for the democrats!