[alancarp]

Funny exchange between Ginsberg and the Solicitor General (paraphrased):

RBG: ‘So if a person who is supposed to buy insurance, doesn’t do so, and pays the penalty.... if they are asked if they’ve ever violated a federal law, have they?’

SG: ‘Our position is that they should answer “No” - they have not violated federal law.”

RBG: ‘....if they pay the penalty.’
SG: ‘Yes: if they pay the tax.’
RBG: ‘....if they pay the penalty.’
SG: ‘Yes: if they pay the tax.’

Alito: (I think) ‘You keep saying “the tax”...’ (laughter)
SG: ‘The tax-penalty’

[gitmo]

RBG: ‘....if they pay the penalty.’
SG: ‘Yes: if they pay the tax.’
RBG: ‘....if they pay the penalty.’
SG: ‘Yes: if they pay the tax.’

Alito: (I think) ‘You keep saying “the tax”...’ (laughter)
SG: ‘The tax-penalty’

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I always believed taxes were a punishment. Probably for the crime of being American.