[SoConPubbie]

The difference is that Massachusetts has the legitimate authority to do such a thing. Congress does not: yet, the Chief Justice has just said they do.

So socialism at the State Level is OK, but not at the Federal level.

What a concept for a conservative to argue for.

[RobbyS]

Well, it may be bad policy and still be law. That is why Scalia mentioned slavery in connection with the Arizona case. It may have been bad policy, but even Lincoln acknowledged that a state had a right to institute it.

[norwaypinesavage]

"So socialism at the State Level is OK, but not at the Federal level. What a concept for a conservative to argue for."

Speaking the truth is not the same as arguing for it. A state can do anything allowed in its state constitution. It's the federal government that is limited by the US constitution. That's simply a fact.