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I seem to recall a few people here claiming that was why Chief Justice Roberts called it a tax

I know I was among those that thought Roberts got a little too "cute" with his ruling. He didn't want to "appear political" by striking it down, but he gave conservatives and Republicans ammunition with which to deal with the law's implications.

Of course, the Republicans blew it last November, as they couldn't articulate the high taxes as a reason to elect Romney and appeal it. Whatever else the ruling offered from a legal standpoint remains to be seen. Is the GOP actively coordinating the law's downfall, or are they hoping for a miracle, that the law's implementation will implode on itself, pointing all the blame on Democrats?

Roberts very craftily put in several “poison pills”, which *could* kill Obamacare dead, but only if a Republican congress and president want to.

He really played some strategy. Had he voted against Obamacare, Kennedy would have crossed over and voted for it, and it would have been bullet proof. But by voting for it, he could do one of the few things a Chief Justice can do, which is to determine who writes the opinion for the majority.

And he decided to write that opinion himself, and thus insert the poison pills. And he knew that the liberals on the court would never, ever, vote against it, unless he killed it outright, causing a big brawl.

Justice Kennedy was reportedly enraged at Roberts for stealing his thunder. He wanted to be the deciding vote that would put Obamacare into the law books. Instead he gets to pound sand in a rat hole.

Importantly, taxation is a HUGE poison pill, because unlike other bills, taxes cannot be impacted one way or another by requiring a two-thirds majority. They are always just a simple majority.

This means just 51 (non-RINO) Republican senators (currently 45), 218 Republican congressmen (currently 232), and a Republican president can kill that SOB Obamacare dead.

This will likely happen sooner rather than later.

However, the Republicans had also better have their own health care plan on the table the instant they do this, and ram it through very fast. Or they will be on the ground floor of a collapsing high rise.

So, if it’s a Constitutional right to have tax bills originate in the House...
Let’s sue for damages too!

“Title 18, U.S.C., Section 241
Conspiracy Against Rights

This statute makes it unlawful for two or more persons to conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person of any state, territory or district in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him/her by the Constitution or the laws of the United States, (or because of his/her having exercised the same).

It further makes it unlawful for two or more persons to go in disguise on the highway or on the premises of another with the intent to prevent or hinder his/her free exercise or enjoyment of any rights so secured.

Punishment varies from a fine or imprisonment of up to ten years, or both; and if death results, or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years, or for life, or may be sentenced to death.

Title 18, U.S.C., Section 242
Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law

This statute makes it a crime for any person acting under color of law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom to willfully deprive or cause to be deprived from any person those rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution and laws of the U.S.

This law further prohibits a person acting under color of law, statute, ordinance, regulation or custom to willfully subject or cause to be subjected any person to different punishments, pains, or penalties, than those prescribed for punishment of citizens on account of such person being an alien or by reason of his/her color or race.

Acts under “color of any law” include acts not only done by federal, state, or local officials within the bounds or limits of their lawful authority, but also acts done without and beyond the bounds of their lawful authority; provided that, in order for unlawful acts of any official to be done under “color of any law,” the unlawful acts must be done while such official is purporting or pretending to act in the performance of his/her official duties. This definition includes, in addition to law enforcement officials, individuals such as Mayors, Council persons, Judges, Nursing Home Proprietors, Security Guards, etc., persons who are bound by laws, statutes ordinances, or customs.

Punishment varies from a fine or imprisonment of up to one year, or both, and if bodily injury results or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire shall be fined or imprisoned up to ten years or both, and if death results, or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.
“