Rep. PAUL GOSAR - Bloggers Corner- Obamacare Goes To The U.S. Supreme Court: The People Rise Up

In the academy award winning film, “Training Day,” Denzel Washington plays Alonzo Harris, a corrupt cop who keeps local folks in line through false promises, bribes, and intimidation. Toward the end, however, the people he has exploited stop believing his promises, do not buy his claim to be fighting for them, and do not give in to his bribes, threats or scare tactics. He is left with little but bravado to face the legion of enemies he has made.

As the U.S. Supreme Court reviews the case, Obama and his Administration increasingly remind me of Harris.

First, we have to look at how Obamacare became law. Pelosi, Reid and Obama presented this 2,700 page bill without giving Americans’ the opportunity to learn what was in it. President Obama threatened groups that opposed the bill, bought off ones that couldn’t be threatened with “Cornhusker Kickbacks” and “Louisiana Purchases”, accused grassroots activists who differed with him of being fake “Astroturf,” and assured everyone that his plan wouldn’t add a dime to the deficit and that people would grow to like it. Not a single Republican voted for the measure.

Two years later, we can safely say that the American people realize that this Administration sold them this bill of goods and a set of empty promises to go with it that will hurt our nation for years to
come.

It has not been hard to see that everyday Americans concerns about the legislation were valid. They were assured that it was completely constitutional, yet the Supreme Court heard legitimate challenges to it during three days of oral arguments last week. They were assured it wouldn’t add a dime to the deficit and wouldn’t cost much. Instead, according to the latest CBO report, the cost has nearly doubled to over $1.7 trillion over the next ten years. They were assured that they would be able to keep their doctor and health insurance plan if they liked it. Instead, people are losing their coverage left and right as it becomes more advantageous for some businesses to drop their employees into government run exchanges. They were assured that it would not fund abortion or force anyone to violate their conscience. Instead, we are treated to the first massive federal funding of plans that cover abortion in history and rules and regulations that would force religious institutions to violate their most deeply held beliefs.

People aren’t fooled by the Administration’s tricky rhetoric. Polls consistently show that far more people support repeal of Obamacare than support keeping the law, usually by a double-digit margin. An overwhelming majority of people, even most Democrats, think the
individual mandate is unconstitutional. An even more overwhelming number think it is hurting job creation during a time we need it most.

The people will be intimidated no longer. Groups of everyday Americans continue to oppose this monstrous legislation. Activists such as the various “Tea Party” groups oppose the bill because of its costs and because they know it is repugnant to the Constitution and their God-given freedoms. They are continuing to organize in opposition to the law. Groups of small businessmen, such as the National Federation of Independent Businesses, oppose the legislation because they see what it will cost their businesses and customers. They have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in favor of overturning the law and are speaking out forcefully in favor of repeal. Religious organizations, like the Southern Baptist Convention and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, have recently become very active in opposition when it became clear the Obama Administration intended to force them to violate their most deeply held beliefs. Many in these groups are ready to face bankruptcy or even jail rather than violate their consciences.

The so-called “Obamacare” legislation was in fact a power grab, a complete takeover of our health care system. The American people did not favor this legislation, and no law can long stand in light of strong opposition of the majority of everyday Americans. The Obama Administration will be held accountable by the people. The people do not want the government takeover of healthcare, and they cannot be bribed, bluffed or intimidated into liking it.

###