Video: If ObamaCare is so good …
posted at 12:15 pm on November 9, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Greg Hengler picks his favorite moment from the House debate on Saturday as the moment that Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) asked the question that could easily have been asked twenty years ago today at the Berlin Wall. If the ObamaCare proposal is so good, why do you have to imprison people who don’t want to participate?
We’ve heard from the best and the brightest all afternoon, and not a one of them have answered why it is that you have to criminalize people to coax them into a plan that’s so fabulous. It makes no sense. … The other side, with all due respect, with all the adjectives and all the flourishing speech, have failed to answer that question.
Why can’t they answer? They can’t. They need to force people into the system in order to spread the costs more evenly to everyone, which is why the House took the blatantly unconstitutional path of federal mandates for health insurance. They want to solve a problem involving 13% of the American population by burdening the 87% that doesn’t have the problem at all, rather than looking for a way to reduce health-care costs for 100%.
Ronald Reagan gave a brilliant speech in June 1987 in demanding that Mikhail Gorbachev “tear down this wall,” but he could just as easily have asked Gorbachev to answer this question: If Communism is such a benefit to its people, why do you have to force people to participate in it? The answer: Statism always requires force, and it always strips people of liberty. It always comes with handcuffs. That’s how we know it’s coming.
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i think this calls for a revolution… anybody wanna join me?
moonbatkiller on November 9, 2009 at 12:17 PM
The campaign ads just make themselves.
Wethal on November 9, 2009 at 12:18 PM
This is scary stuff. For the first time in my adult life, I am really scared for my country :(.
deidre on November 9, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I’m in.
Daggett on November 9, 2009 at 12:19 PM
A major catastrophy has to first happen before Liberty is again resurrected in this nation….
PatriotRider on November 9, 2009 at 12:20 PM
moon… who isn’t in right now?
When are you all going to go to the capital and storm it is when I will try to be there.
upinak on November 9, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Pelosi’s botox doesn’t qualify?
dicentra63 on November 9, 2009 at 12:22 PM
well one of us has to have standing to sue to SCOTUS if we get busted for no coverage right?
I also want to know how they can FORCE parents to insure their kids to age 27!
ginaswo on November 9, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I don’t know if comment’s are necessary on this thread with Ed’s great last paragraph. Are teh trolls going to participate in this thread?
WashJeff on November 9, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Too bad the GOP is not paying attention.
Knucklehead on November 9, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Last Thursday.
Snoozed, lost, etc.
dicentra63 on November 9, 2009 at 12:23 PM
a nice ‘Go Straight to jail’ monopoly style ad, then the big wigs and Critters can be shown with the ‘get out of jail free card’ as they are exempt form the damned bill
ginaswo on November 9, 2009 at 12:23 PM
So, are you suggesting that there be no penalty if you break the law?
Bleeds Blue on November 9, 2009 at 12:24 PM
The point of all leftist efforts is to give them more power over you. The particular vehicle of implementation isn’t that important to the Left – they’ll take socialized health care, carbon taxes, or speech codes, whatever comes easiest.
18-1 on November 9, 2009 at 12:24 PM
The Pelosi plan is so good that not one person who voted for it will be required to be in it.
The Rock on November 9, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Anybody got a pitchfork I can borrow?
Laura in Maryland on November 9, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Why do you need a penalty? The plan is just awesome…right?
WashJeff on November 9, 2009 at 12:26 PM
The scheme gets worse every time one looks and the support drops…If the Senate takes its time and pushes the scam into next year, the level of bravery from dems in districts that strongly oppose the scheme will be notably less.
JIMV on November 9, 2009 at 12:26 PM
…this monstrosity and cap ‘n tax surely qualify. ‘Tis a pity the majority of the American people don’t have a clue what’s in these Contituition-nullifying documents. Freedon R.I.P.
ProfShade on November 9, 2009 at 12:26 PM
You are a dense one. We’re against enacting this as a law.
Laura in Maryland on November 9, 2009 at 12:26 PM
This video needs to go viral.
These leftover 60s radicals have not seen civil disobedience like they are going to see if they try to throw people in jail for not buying health insurance. There will be a movement of libertarians and even anarchists calling on people to drop their policies and refuse to participate. Is the government going to start sending jackbooted thugs to our doors to force us into this? Are there enough prisons to hold all of the new refuseniks?
rockmom on November 9, 2009 at 12:27 PM
No, of course not. Some great calamity will have to befall this nation. Like Pookie running out of dope and rising from the Couch of State.
Anders on November 9, 2009 at 12:27 PM
I believe Obama has one.
LibTired on November 9, 2009 at 12:27 PM
I was there on Thursday and on 9/12 on my own dime. I am one person, and can’t do this alone.
Knucklehead on November 9, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Liberty and action: http://tinyurl.com/ykz44hk
Amendment X on November 9, 2009 at 12:27 PM
…this needs to be shouted from the rooftops – criminalization and a Congressional and Union opt-out…what’s good for the rest of us, just isn’t good enough for them. eh?
ProfShade on November 9, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Pick a day, any day.
bbordwell on November 9, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Why should it be against the law not to participate if I can afford to pay for my own health care?
rockmom on November 9, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Blatantly unconstitutional?
Um, yeeaaaah… I might take some comfort if we didn’t have the SCOTUS that gave us Kelo v New London.
Doorgunner on November 9, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Huh? Weren’t they in the House Chamber?
fogw on November 9, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Half of the American people will resist this plan…how big are our jails?
d1carter on November 9, 2009 at 12:29 PM
PALOMINO!
Christien on November 9, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) is great. HA posted a video of him a while back that made me chuckle repeatedly (shhhhh…. can you hear the sound of jobs). Wish I had the link.
txag92 on November 9, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Wow. Is this really your mindset? Wow.
jimmy2shoes on November 9, 2009 at 12:30 PM
The trolls don’t think, they spew forth the same drivel that the Democrats in DC tell them to, because it makes them feel good. No logic, they just feel that communism is great, and wealth should be distributed.
Anyone want to take a bet on if Paul Ryan gets reelected next time?
kirkill on November 9, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Pinky: What are we going to do tonight?
Brain: The same thing we do every night: Try to destroy America.
Pinky: How ya gunna do that?
.
Health Care.
Illegal immigration.
Teen Sex
Encourage Poverty.
The list goes on and on and on…
.
I think that skilled flash developer could produce a whole slew of video clips with Pinky and the Brain employing one liberal policy after another to destroy America.
The Rock on November 9, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Maybe they will find a use for Guantanamo after they free all the terrorists. They can send all the health-care refuseniks there for “re-education.”
rockmom on November 9, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Be scared.
We have a florid anti-American, communist as president.
justltl on November 9, 2009 at 12:31 PM
I’m suggesting you entertain us all by bursting into flames. It’ll certainly be the brightest thing you ever did.
Doorgunner on November 9, 2009 at 12:31 PM
*stands up*
Midas on November 9, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Even some of my liberal friends are joking about being bunk mates when they send us to prison. I will not be paying the fine and will not be participating in OdumbassCare. Period.
txag92 on November 9, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Step right up, drink the kool-aid ….. it’s good for you, you’ll like it.
If you refuse and run, we’ll just shoot you in the back.
Jerome Horwitz on November 9, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I am truly amazed.
The tools who droned on and on about the “imperialistic” tyrant Bush….have no problem with this.
…I welcome another Civil War if this becomes law.
Hawkins1701 on November 9, 2009 at 12:33 PM
General Quarters for the frredom and liberty fighters
rjoco1 on November 9, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Only if you’re a black college professor who has attended a beer summit with Ogabe.
fogw on November 9, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I watched the WHOLE debate on CSPAN on Sat. The Dems told WHOPPER after WHOPPER after WHOPPER at the podium. I knew they were liars, but my jaw hit the floor at the parade of 200+ crooks. These people must be PARIAHS in their home towns. NEVER let an opportunity pass to CALL THEIR CROOKED ASSES OUT! Restaurants, movies, stores, malls, out for a walk, ANYWHERE. I will CALL OUT ANYONE who steals my hard-earned money and LIBERTY. Please do the same, as they don’t deserve the respect that society affords decent people.
marklmail on November 9, 2009 at 12:34 PM
I realize that. I just find this particular line of attack specious.
Or a president who authorizes massive illegal wiretapping.
Bleeds Blue on November 9, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Do you not see where we’re going? Why should the government FORCE things like health insurance on people? Shouldn’t people have the right to say yes or no to health insurance like this? Or perhaps the government should enforce who should marry who and what the punishment for marrying outside of your kind, what job you should have, where you should live.
It’s a slippery slippery slope and this country has just took its first step down the hill.
(and no I’m not suggesting the Dems are Nazis, but it’s getting to be a close run thing)
mjk on November 9, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Let’s hope so. And let’s hope we find candidates worth using these ads ON.
englishqueen01 on November 9, 2009 at 12:35 PM
We are suggesting there is no law forcing us to participate. It’s that whole freedom thing you tend to find confusing.
jhffmn on November 9, 2009 at 12:35 PM
I remember when that decision came down following a few forums that had a lot of lefties.
Since they didn’t actually RTFA they started off declaring this was a major abuse by those damn conservative justices and it just showed how we needed more liberalism.
I helped to point out the leftist block on the court had rendered the decision the state can take anything from you for any reason they can make up. The leftist reaction was interesting – some shut up, but a few completely reversed themselves. Whereas Kelo had been an abuse, now it was a poor decision, but better then what these leftists imagined that Scalia and co would have come up with were they a majority on the court.
The leftist ability to justify *anything* is astounding.
18-1 on November 9, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Ahhhh, I found it. I just love this guy.
txag92 on November 9, 2009 at 12:36 PM
I plan on personally “opting out” and going to jail. But before that I will sell everything convert to gold, hide it, only my wife will know where it is. This way the IRS cannot confiscate an asset they can’t find.
PatriotRider on November 9, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Memo: BUSH IS NOT THE PRESIDENT ANYMORE.
Although you can tell what kind of man he is by the fact he went to Fort Hood while our actual president is too busy to be bothered with some wounded soldiers.
englishqueen01 on November 9, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Don’t you get free health care if they jail you for resisting paying for Government Nanny State Health Care?
I’m game.
Although, if they ram this monstrosity through, I’m trying a religious exemption, first.
Can they force Christian Scientists to participate?
I’m in.
profitsbeard on November 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM
We went from hope and change to Ball and Chains!
BigMike252 on November 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM
ROFLMAO
Laura in Maryland on November 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM
You don’t go to jail for not buying car insurance. Since that’s the most favorite comparison liberals use. You also aren’t fined $250,000.
lorien1973 on November 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM
You’re missing the point.
Why should the law force people to pay for insurance for others?
If the plan is so great, as Pelosi, Reid, and Obama dictate, then the plan should be optional, not mandatory.
Please don’t start spewing “you can’t keep your doctor”. You’ll be laughed outta here.
Mark Boabaca on November 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM
I have an idea.
Bush should publicly come out in favor of this.
….What would they say then, I wonder?
Hawkins1701 on November 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM
And the first retort from infamous laughing-stock troll involves President Bush.
Predictable.
Is that all ya got?
fogw on November 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM
*can keep your doctor.
Mark Boabaca on November 9, 2009 at 12:39 PM
In another thread, Bleeds Blue said a “little freedom” is perfectly enough. Too much freedom and we might not need liberals in power anymore!
englishqueen01 on November 9, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Or the one that continues to use it; and is currently defending it in court.
lorien1973 on November 9, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Civil disobeidience is going to come back in fashion big time the next decade if this, or a like bill, gets signed.
WashJeff on November 9, 2009 at 12:39 PM
I wonder why we haven’t heard anything from state governors yet?
farright on November 9, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Here’s a question:
I agree that Congress has no Constitutional power to force everyone to buy health insurance.
Does Congress have the Constitutional power to pass a 2.5% tax on your income, and waive that tax if you have health insurance?
If so, what’s the difference between that, and what Congress did?
If not, why not?
Greg Q on November 9, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Bleeds,,, they have a law on illegal entry into this nation but yet most of our cities have sanctuaries protecting them. Isn’t this against the law? Is the only choice you favor is abortion and you are against other choices in other areas? This BO and Nancy O really scare me and we are going down the road of Stalinism.
garydt on November 9, 2009 at 12:40 PM
I remember back when the country was founded, that it was founded under the idea that people should be forced to do what government wants – or go to jail.
Remember that?
lorien1973 on November 9, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Look! Babs will get to kill fetuses afterall!
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/66969-senior-dem-confident-stupak-amendment-will-be-stripped
bloggless on November 9, 2009 at 12:40 PM
The limits of the Obama and Pelosi school of redistributive change emerge only when their estates are seized and their children are sold into slavery.
R Square on November 9, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Usurpation has already happened. The Constitution is meaningless to these people. See Article II, Section I. Remember “We are 5 days away from fundamentally changing America”?
singer on November 9, 2009 at 12:41 PM
On a more positive note, Congressman Weiner (D-NY) said that he will serve your jail time for you.
Video proof here. (Advance to 4:55)
Mark Boabaca on November 9, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Indeed.
If I were a governor, consequences be damned, I would announce that the state national guard will be called in the first time federal agents attempt to arrest someone for not buying health insurance.
And they will be ordered to fire if necessary.
They want to fight, let’s give them one. I’m sick of this crap.
Hawkins1701 on November 9, 2009 at 12:41 PM
I think it’s great that poor people and college kids will finally be -forced- to send what little money they have to huge multi national corporations. Or go to jail.
- Bleeds Blue
lorien1973 on November 9, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Doesn’t everything good come with handcuffs? ~ The Marquis De Sade.
Rocks on November 9, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Wow, what an utter disconnect.
A free people will choose the best option for themselves; a good option needs no stick to prod the recalcitrant. Ruling a free people is difficult, if the people do not desire the same ends as the ruler.
Of course, ruling a slave population requires the use of the goad. That way, the ruler can force the population to perform as the State wishes.
Revenant on November 9, 2009 at 12:43 PM
This is an obvious bad analogy. I could go to jail because I don’t pay taxes because I’m sick of paying for police protection for other people. That makes our entire tax system statist.
The Calibur on November 9, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Or his successor who affirms pretty much every extent war policy.
Doorgunner on November 9, 2009 at 12:44 PM
$$$$$$ quote
uknowmorethanme on November 9, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Well, I see that HA posters are asking a question similar to mine: If ObamaCare is so good, why does Congress exempt itself? And are people on the left really so stupid and/or brain dead that they can’t see that?
oldleprechaun on November 9, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Hey axlerod, FU!
daesleeper on November 9, 2009 at 12:45 PM
This is moronic in every sense of the word. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to raise taxes. It does NOT grant them the power to mandate purchase of something for simply being a citizen.
uknowmorethanme on November 9, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Eh, I bet it would be “even that idiot Bush can see that socializing health care is a good idea”.
Now, Cheney, on the other hand… :)
18-1 on November 9, 2009 at 12:47 PM
They don’t care. People like Bleeds Blue, crr6 etal want to be treated like children of the state.
lorien1973 on November 9, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Press Corps: “President Obama, what is your stance on waging war with terrorists and wire-tapping?”
Obama (pointing at Bush): “What he did.”
fogw on November 9, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Exactly, when a law in unconstitutional, there should be no penalty if you break said law, because said law should not exist.
uknowmorethanme on November 9, 2009 at 12:48 PM
More terrific writing from Ed.
crr6 on November 9, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Translated:
I’m a liberal, and by definition, too much of a coward to advocate for what I really believe in, in this case, jailing people who don’t want to sign up for my coveted welfare program, so I’ll just try to deflect the thread towards my paranoid Bush rantings.
Think the Hot Air crowd will lap it up as fast as the usual assorted debris you associate with, Bleeds Blue?
MNHawk on November 9, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Quote: “i think this calls for a revolution… anybody wanna join me?”
Right beside your brother. Better dead than red.
The Ronin Edge on November 9, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Is this your magnificent contribution for the day?
Mark Boabaca on November 9, 2009 at 12:50 PM
True freedom means being ordered to do something by the government. Lest you go to jail. – Bleeds Blue crr6 etal.
lorien1973 on November 9, 2009 at 12:50 PM
I read over the weekend that the bill exempts illegal aliens from the fine and jail. Our country protects everyone but it’s own citizens! Go figure!
silvernana on November 9, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Thank’s for proving Ed’s point.
WashJeff on November 9, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Then why are you reading it?
Knucklehead on November 9, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Good luck with that. “Standing” is whatever appointed judges says it is and is a convenient way to throw out any challenge on which they don’t want to rule. TPTB will see to it that average citizens have no “standing”.
singer on November 9, 2009 at 12:51 PM
The argument in question has nothing to do with the Constitution and actually never even mentions the lawfulness of the payment in question. It’s simply an argument saying if the state punishes you for not doing it, it must be statist. Which is a bad analogy considering our tax system.
Don’t call people moronic when you obviously don’t know what you’re talking about.
The Calibur on November 9, 2009 at 12:52 PM
I have an idea for future use of Guantanamo.
justltl on November 9, 2009 at 12:52 PM
..count me in.
VoyskaPVO on November 9, 2009 at 12:52 PM
The government now uses force to make sure no one smokes on airplanes or restaurants.
The government now uses force to make sure people wear seat belts.
The government uses force to make sure people riding bicycles wear helmets.
The government uses force to ….
We’ve come a long way baby.
It’s all for our own good though. The do-gooders told me so. And they’ve got the police to carry out their wishes.
BowHuntingTexas on November 9, 2009 at 12:54 PM
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