Posted on 06/28/2012 11:26:57 AM PDT by Tarantulas
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the constitutionality of Obamacare, the principal choice now facing Americans on November 6 will be whether to keep Obamacare or to repeal it. The question is a binary one, and the answer — expressed almost entirely through their presidential vote — will go a long way toward determining the future course of this great nation.
Yes, the economy is extremely important; and, yes, Obamacare is hurting the economy. But the reason why this election is the most important since the Civil War is not because Mitt Romney would make a far better steward of the economy than President Obama (though he would). Rather, it’s because we are about to decide whether to put what will soon be one-fifth of our economy under the control of the federal government; whether to funnel previously unthinkable amounts of power and money to Washington; and whether this nation conceived in liberty will continue to prioritize liberty.
It is understandable why President Obama has no interest in framing this election as a referendum on Obamacare. His party already suffered perhaps its worst defeat since the 19th century thanks to his centerpiece legislation. With the Supreme Court’s ruling now behind him, he will have even less incentive to remind voters about Obamacare going forward. As far as he’s concerned, the less the American people think about it, the better.
This means, of course, that the more they think about it, the better it will be for Mitt Romney. It also means (of course) that Romney should encourage them to think about it, reminding them at every turn that this election isn’t merely — or even principally — about the economy; that it’s about something bigger; that we need to repeal Obamacare and replace it with real reform. And he should convey to them what real reform would look like, thereby bringing into the fold those independents who don’t want to go back to the pre-Obamacare status quo. He should start playing to win people’s votes, instead of merely trying not to lose them.
Yes, the fate of Obamacare will be the most important outcome of this election. On some level, the American people know this. There’s a reason why Romney gets standing ovations simply for mentioning repeal.
The question is whether either candidate will convey that he knows what this election is really about. Obama can’t say it’s about Obamacare — even though that’s what he considers it to be about — because he’ll lose if he does. Romney so far hasn’t said it’s about Obamacare — perhaps because that’s not what he considers it to be about — even though he’ll likely win if he does.
Regardless, the Court has cleared the field. The stakes are historic. The citizenry will decide.
Funny, liberals are now okay with calling it Obamacare.
It is called Obamacare.
It is on the ballot in November.
It will go down!
The Obama just played a winning move.
Focusing the election on the economy was a sure loser for him.
Focusing the election on something which isn’t a problem for most people (repugnant in the abstract, but is irrelevant in practice) focuses the election _away_ from his losing issue and onto the frothing-at-the-mouth Right.
John Roberts just won the election for the Obama.
Bad economy, life threatening taxation, elimination of liberties...
November is not looking good for the jackass.
>> John Roberts just won the election for the Obama.
Makes no sense to me why certain FReepers are so willing to concede my #ing liberties. It ain’t over.
We have been pushed to the
precipice, so we ether get pushed off or we stand our ground. This would define the national direction once and for all. Which will it be; the rush to socialism or the reconstruction of a free republic?
Now all they have to do is do what they do best: steal the election with voter fraud.
Wife’s getting her CCW tomorrow. Lines may be long.
I may be wrong, but didn’t Roberts make a statement something like “You have to learn to live with your political choices.” or something similar? That sounds like a slap in the face of Democrats.
In any case, to preface this comment, I am not voting for Obama and I didn’t vote for Obama and I would never vote for Obama. However, I did note - unfortunately - that there were enough voters who did vote for him so he won last time.
SO ... the question here is (in light of the article, too) - IF OBAMA WINS THIS ELECTION ... then according to the logic of this article - does that mean that the “Obamacare issue” will be SETTLED AND DONE at that time?
IN OTHER WORDS ... if the defeat of Obama will make it clear that Obamacare is not wanted and will thus be repealed - will the election of Obama mean (likewise) that Obamacare is wanted and the issue is “settled” at that point in time?
Oh so now deciding to go full-bore Socialism is just a "political choice"?
Mittens is going to restore our freedoms?
Its hilarious! This is the guy who gave us MassCare.
On this issue he’s Obama’s ideological twin. Don’t look for Obamacare to be ever be repealed. Even Republicans support the “popular” parts of it.
This baby will grow into a monster. No one is going to kill it in the cradle because no one has the guts to do it.
Enthusiasm is great and it’s a great motivator, too. But, enthusiasm doesn’t always carry the day and it may not carry it enough to unseat Obama.
I saw a lot of “enthusiasm” against Obama in 2008 and I was one of them, too. And I’m just as much against him now as I was then (and will always be). However, in the last election he won. And it’s entirely “possible” that in this election he’ll win, too - “enthusiasm” not withstanding ...
May God, in all His wisdom, have mercy on Americans!
May God, in all His wisdom, have mercy on Americans!
“The Obama just played a winning move.”
That’s not how I see it. SCOTUS just redefined Obamacare as a tax on everyone, when Obama vowed not to increase taxes on anyone but “the fat cats.” Instead of a cornucopia of riches being issued from the government to the little guy, Obamacare is now defined as the largest tax increase in the history of the world, and no one can escape from it. Romney has added that to his campaign already, Sarah Palin is writing about it triumphantly, and Rush is running with it too. Obama can’t survive this.
No, voting for any Democrat is going full-bore Socialism.
No, that's a slap in the face to the voters who put them there.
This is also the nail in the coffin for the stupid "Let's pass it anyway; SCOTUS will strike it down" strategy.
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