Supreme court considers fucking over the country, again.

[LMNO]

Yeah, so.  I was reading this article in Slate (you can mock me for reading Slate later), and I have to say that the conclusion reached seems to be both accurate and disturbing.

Basically, the effort to repeal the ACA is essentially an effort to give us the freedom to ignore people in need.  Scalia even said that we need to rethink our social norms of hospitals treating injured people without insurance in emergency rooms.  "I want the liberty to let a fellow citizen bleed to death outside a hospital!" is the battle cry.  "I want The FREEDOM not to care about the suffering of others!"

Once, Mel Brooks made a joke about the Roman Senate: "Gentlemen, do we want to give money to help the poor?  Or do we want to save the money for ourselves?" a senator asked.  The response was unanimous.  "FUCK THE POOR!"  Not so funny now, though, because we are living in that joke.

I've said it before: The strength of a nation is, in part, comprised of the strength of its citizens.  Supporting the citizens of a country is helping strengthen the nation.  The constitution is there to provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure justice and tranquility.  So no, the government does not have the freedom not to care about the people.  To ignore suffering is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.


Fuckers.

[Doktor Howl]

Basically, the effort to repeal the ACA is essentially an effort to give us the freedom to ignore people in need.  Scalia even said that we need to rethink our social norms of hospitals treating injured people without insurance in emergency rooms.  "I want the liberty to let a fellow citizen bleed to death outside a hospital!" is the battle cry.  "I want The FREEDOM not to care about the suffering of others!"

Guess who pays HIS hospital bills?

Oh, yeah.  You & I.

[AFK]

Not to mention that is is bad policy.  Whether or not people should care, emotionally, about the poor is one thing.  But even on an individual selfish level, it makes no sense to NOT care for the poor.  The consequences of poverty to communities are inescapable whether people want to pay attention to them or not.  Even not allowing the poor to have access to emergency care will cost communities. 

So it's just a stupid argument to even consider.  Let the people be callous and not give a fuck about the poor, but don't fool them into thinking that not caring for the poor is somehow going to save them money.  That's just complete bullshit. 

[Doktor Howl]

Not to mention that is is bad policy.  Whether or not people should care, emotionally, about the poor is one thing.  But even on an individual selfish level, it makes no sense to NOT care for the poor.  The consequences of poverty to communities are inescapable whether people want to pay attention to them or not.  Even not allowing the poor to have access to emergency care will cost communities. 

So it's just a stupid argument to even consider.  Let the people be callous and not give a fuck about the poor, but don't fool them into thinking that not caring for the poor is somehow going to save them money.  That's just complete bullshit.

What's an epidemic or two, RWHN? 

[LMNO]

BRING BACK POLIO!  I WANT THE FREEDOM FOR MY CHILD TO BE CRIPPLED FOR LIFE!

[AFK]

Antonin doesn't need to worry about that.  He would never suffer the company of the common man. 

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

I agree. The problem is the damned Constitution as it's currently written. In the mid-1700's you could pay the local Doctor with a couple chickens, because at best he was gonna give you some opiates and hope for the best.

On the one hand, the issue of independent States while a cool idea 300 years ago, simply doesn't work well in these modern times. On the other hand, a three hundred year old document that never gets updates turns into a pile of legal spaghetti. The gun issues, abortion issues, healthcare, marijuana, etc etc etc etc all stem from various semi-valid interpretations of words and phrases that are simply not so clear today.

Sadly, any update would get hijacked by one nutty extreme or the other.

[Doktor Howl]

I agree. The problem is the damned Constitution as it's currently written.

Balls.  Article I, section 8, clause 1 allows funding things like ER services for the poor.

[Doktor Howl]

BRING BACK POLIO!  I WANT THE FREEDOM FOR MY CHILD TO BE CRIPPLED FOR LIFE!

Or just the flu.

Spanish Flu Pandemic?  What's that?

[Doktor Howl]

On the one hand, the issue of independent States while a cool idea 300 years ago, simply doesn't work well in these modern times.

It didn't work then, either...Which is why the Articles of Confederation were abandoned in favor of the current constitution.

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

I agree. The problem is the damned Constitution as it's currently written.

Balls.  Article I, section 8, clause 1 allows funding things like ER services for the poor.

It does, but it doesn't technically support the healthcare mandate... States could mandate it, but not the feds (like car insurance in most states). I think that its absolutely absurd that the US citizens can't simply get on board with some solution to this problem... without arguing about funding.

On the one hand, the issue of independent States while a cool idea 300 years ago, simply doesn't work well in these modern times.

It didn't work then, either...Which is why the Articles of Confederation were abandoned in favor of the current constitution.

Sure... but the current constitution still reserves most of this stuff to the states. Thats the problem. With the way the US is today, state governments need to be less powerful, with most laws etc being consistent across the country. Stuff like abortion/women's rights/gun control/healthcare etc.

[Doktor Howl]

I agree. The problem is the damned Constitution as it's currently written.

Balls.  Article I, section 8, clause 1 allows funding things like ER services for the poor.

It does, but it doesn't technically support the healthcare mandate... States could mandate it, but not the feds (like car insurance in most states). I think that its absolutely absurd that the US citizens can't simply get on board with some solution to this problem... without arguing about funding.

Incorrect.  If congress agrees that something is in the best interests of the nation, they can fund it.  The general welfare clause is completely open-ended.

[Random Probability]

 

Yeah, the whole thing is a really great idea.  We need to make sure everybody coughs up some green for the common good.

Um...  so what do we do to the ones who can't afford to pay?  I mean, after they can't afford to buy insurance that costs twice what their rent does every month, and after we fine them twice that much for not bending over like good little atm machines?

Do we get to publicly flog them?  Throw them in jail?  Or do we just shoot them?

[Doktor Howl]

Sure... but the current constitution still reserves most of this stuff to the states.

Not if you read it like a lawyer.   

[Nephew Twiddleton]

Thats what problem i have with the mandate. Thats where my inner socialist jumps out and starts talking about socialized healthcare.