B's first report card

B's first report card!

John Roberts

John Roberts, this is an absolute must read.
Date: Jun 28, 2012 3:32 PM

Hey Folks,
I'm sure that I'm like most of you and disapprove of the individual mandate ruling. But, you must read this. Roberts may be is a wily fox. Read this op-ed, in detail, and see if you agree with Mr. Erickson. His perspective is note worthy. Bottom line: the ruling puts Obama, and the Dems running for re-election, having to defend a 'new tax,' not a 'fine.' This is strong fuel for the Republican arguments of those running for office, including Romney.

Don of Indy

Subject: John Roberts

Dear RedState Reader,

As you have no doubt heard by now, the Supreme Court largely upheld Obamacare with Chief Justice John Roberts writing the majority 5 to 4 decision. Even Justice Kennedy called for the whole law to be thrown out, but John Roberts saved it.

Having gone through the opinion, I am not going to beat up on John Roberts. I am disappointed, but I want to make a few points. John Roberts is playing at a different game than the rest of us. We're on poker. He's on chess.

First, I get the strong sense from a few anecdotal stories about Roberts over the past few months and the way he has written this opinion that he very, very much was concerned about keeping the Supreme Court above the partisan fray and damaging the reputation of the Court long term. It seems to me the left was smart to make a full frontal assault on the Court as it persuaded Roberts.

Second, in writing his opinion, Roberts forces everyone to deal with the issue as a political, not a legal issue. In the past twenty years, Republicans have punted a number of issues to the Supreme Court asking the Court to save us from ourselves. They can't do that with Roberts. They tried with McCain-Feingold, which was originally upheld. This case is a timely reminder to the GOP that five votes are not a sure thing.

Third, while Roberts has expanded the taxation power, which I don't really think is a massive expansion from what it was, Roberts has curtailed the commerce clause as an avenue for Congressional overreach. In so doing, he has affirmed the Democrats are massive taxers. In fact, I would argue that this may prevent future mandates in that no one is going to go around campaigning on new massive tax increases. On the upside, I guess we can tax the hell out of abortion now. Likewise, in a 7 to 2 decision, the Court shows a strong majority still recognize the concept of federalism and the restrains of Congress in forcing states to adhere to the whims of the federal government.

Fourth, in forcing us to deal with this politically, the Democrats are going to have a hard time running to November claiming the American people need to vote for them to preserve Obamacare. It remains deeply, deeply unpopular with the American people. If they want to make a vote for them a vote for keeping a massive tax increase, let them try.

Fifth, the decision totally removes a growing left-wing talking point that suddenly they must vote for Obama because of judges. The Supreme Court as a November issue for the left is gone. For the right? That sound you hear is the marching of libertarians into Camp Romney, with noses held, knowing that the libertarian and conservative coalitions must unite to defeat Obama and Obamacare.

Finally, while I am not down on John Roberts like many of you are today, I will be very down on Congressional Republicans if they do not now try to shut down the individual mandate. Force the Democrats on the record about the mandate. Defund Obamacare. This now, by necessity, is a political fight and the GOP sure as hell should fight.

It seems very, very clear to me in reviewing John Roberts' decision that he is playing a much longer game than us and can afford to with a life tenure. And he probably just handed Mitt Romney the White House.

60% of Americans agree with them on the issue. And guess what? The Democrats have been saying for a while that individual pieces of Obamacare are quite popular. With John Roberts' opinion, the repeal fight takes place on GOP turf, not Democrat turf. The all or nothing repeal has always been better ground for the GOP and now John Roberts has forced everyone onto that ground.

*A friend points out one other thing — go back to 2009. Olympia Snowe was the deciding vote to get Obamacare out of the Senate Committee. Had she voted no, we'd not be here now.

Read my full thoughts here.

Sincerely yours,

Erick Erickson
Editor, RedState.com

First time coloring in the lines!

And used every crayon in the box! :)

Babies!

New Babies!

Coloring inside the lines

Staying inside the lines...

B and his treasure

B and his treasure - nice flower

Flower picking

Brendan picking Flowers

B & Fro

B and Fro!

More swimming

More Swimming!

B's swim class

B's Swim class.  He is doing well.

Stylin'

Stylin'

Two words B can recognize by sight

Two words B can recognize by sight

Moon flowers

Pretty Flowers

Ha ha...

 

Reading Pride & Prejudice

Reading Pride & Prejudice

 

Re: Poor Brendan

Brendan is back to normal now... go go go!!!

That was 9 am yesterday. slept well last night, but Still a low fever..says his throat hurts.

Brendan is sick, wish him well!  We went to sleep at 09:00.  I hope he feels better tomorrow.

Downtown Kuwait Pictures

Downtown Kuwait Pictures

Poor Brendan

Brendan is sick, wish him well!  We went to sleep at 09:00.  I hope he feels better tomorrow.

Sick bee

Mana fix it!!!

Happy campers!

Happy Campers

IPod Pictures

IPod Pictures frmo Sean's Camera 2012