[Leaning Right]

It’s not a tax, it’s a fine.

That is so obvious. A fine is a punishment for an action or an inaction. I park in a no parking zone. I am fined. I fail to signal before turning. I am fined.

I fail to buy Obamacare. I am fined.

[freerepublicchat]

It’s not a tax, it’s a fine. That is so obvious. A fine is a punishment for an action or an inaction. I park in a no parking zone. I am fined. I fail to signal before turning. I am fined.

I fail to buy Obamacare. I am fined.

And if you fail to go to college you pay more in taxes because you won't get tax credits that others. Is that a fine?

The government could reduce everyone's taxes by the amount of the education credits, then add a penalty back for not getting an education. Mathematically there's no difference between that and what we do now.

What about fining an entire state for not participating in the old 55 mph speed limit program? The federal government laid a tax on gas for the interstate system, then refused to give it back in road spending if states didn't impose the 55mph limit.

[circlecity]

"A fine is a punishment for an action or an inaction"

you could characterize any tax that way. Income tax is a "fine" for earning a certain amount of money. Sales tax is a punishment for buying certain stuff. It's all a tax.

[rollo tomasi]

"A fine is a punishment for an action or an inaction."

Not necessarily, an action is taking place. You choose to drive and fail to abide by rules (Action)

You choose to cross the street, jaywalking for instance (Action)

All self-committed actions.

Negative actions should not have fines or taxes laid upon the individual. Roberts basically said by breathing, the Federal government has the right to fine you.

Voodoo "lawyering" right there and an embarrassment to anyone of original and FUNDAMENTAL intent of the Constitution and why the Revolutionary War was fought in the first place.