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Repeal? Not Likely, Not Now |
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Conservative Compass Blog
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Written by Bob Sordahl
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Wednesday, 31 March 2010 |
 There are several moves afoot to attempt a repeal of Obamacare. As an example, Congressman Steve King (R-IA) has introduced legislation to do so. H.R. 4972 would, if passed reverse and remove all provisions of Obamacare, and return the Country's health care system to its state before Governmental insanity took over. The problem is, repeal is a compelling but unlikely outcome. The current makeup of the House with Speaker Pelosi, makes it almost impossible to get such legislation to the floor during this session. Given the political mood of this Country, I think there is no question that Republicans will gain seats in Congress in November, exactly how many however is unclear. Even after Pelosi is gone, a repeal of Obamacare would require a veto proof Congress. As angry as Americans are, that is a tall order for the electorate to fill.
At last count, 14 states have joined together in a constitutional challenge to the health care legislation. To any thinking person, it seems a reasonable tactic to fight this bill. The big problem is we really can't second guess where the Supreme Court may go with this issue. The case law that applies (or doesn't), and uncertain allegiance of the individual Justices makes predicting an outcome virtually impossible. Perhaps the best we can hope for are injunctions and court delays to prevent the worst parts of Obamacare from going into effect any time soon. It is ironic that in their political sleight of hand, the Democrats have inadvertently provided us a window in which we can stop this legislation with a minimum of ill affect on our Country. It could be very difficult to end an entitlement once it has begun, but thankfully most of the give away’s won't kick in until 2014 or later. The take away's however, start almost immediatly.
Trying to modify various parts of the health care bill is a non-starter. It is so bad, it can't be fixed in a piece meal fashion. The constitutional challenge is ambitious, but frankly a longshot, and may disintegrate under resistance from Democrat governors in several of the participating states. Repeal is the prize, we just have to set the stage to win it. As Van Jones would say, we are planting the radical kernel, for the maximum goal in the future.
As long as Obama is President, a veto of any repeal legislation is a certainty. Short of a Democratic Armageddon in Congress, it is doubtful that a two thirds majority can be mustered to overrule such a veto. That means no repeal of this bill is possible without a more sympathetic President in office. Having said that, it now becomes clear how desperate this situation is. We are on our own 10 yard line with a minute to go in the fourth quarter. There will be no second chance. Fiscal Conservatives must field a winning Presidential candidate in 2012. Only then will it be possible to end the madness and save this Country from Obamacare imposed fiscal disaster.
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