In a January post, I indicated my concern that the Supreme Court would decide in favor of the administration in King v Burwell, the ObamaCare case challenging an IRS rule granting tax credits to individuals in the 34 states that didn’t adopt a state exchange.
My position hasn’t changed in the subsequent six months. Perhaps it’s the unending string of bad news emanating from the nation’s capital that causes my pessimism.
The president, obviously concerned that his already crumbling key piece of legislation will go down in a court decision, soon to be announced, has again directed unprecedented criticism toward the court.
During a press conference at the G-7 summit in Germany earlier this month, he suggested the court would be ignoring established legal guidance if it ruled against the administration. “This should be an easy case, “he said, “frankly it probably should have stayed out of this fight.” So much for our Constitutional genius in the White House.
Speaking at the Catholic Health Association conference, he warned, “Do they (the court) really wish to cause the massive societal upheaval that would come from killing a law that is now a routine part of American life?”
The Supreme Court listens to the president chastise them during his 2010 state of the union address. Is it time for a payback? (nydailynews.com)
It isn’t the first time the president has openly challenged the court. You will recall how he insulted justices during his January 2010 state of the union address revealing his displeasure with the decision on Citizens United v Federal Election Commission.
While some polls show voter favorability of ObamaCare improving, the anecdotal stories about increasing premiums and the high deductibles keeping the sick from seeing their doctors mount.
The president and his minions have been warning about the chaos the court would be responsible for if they choose to strike down ObamaCare. “The tax credits would be cut off immediately, and you will have very significant, very adverse effects immediately for millions of people, “the president’s Solicitor General Donald Vermilli during oral arguments. Not to be swayed, Justice Samuel Alito alluded that the court could simply stay the order until the end of the tax year. Vermilli conceded.
In the meantime, Republicans, led by House Ways and Means Chair Paul Ryan and Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) a doctor who received his MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine and did his residency at Yale Medical School, will be prepared to calm the concerns of those who warn of disaster.
We will soon learn if the president’s strategy of intimidation will work. Can you imagine what a victory would add to the demeanor of this president, who has already topped out the arrogance meter?
