Free Republic

"To fans and defenders of the Affordable Care Act, the bill is your normal, run-of-the-mill but wholly fantastic and wonderful game-changing measure, up there with Social Security, Medicare and the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts as national milestones -- bills that were launched amid opposition and discord, but in time were accepted and loved. But from the beginning, this has been different in three signal ways that have been self-destructive, the last of which may be the worst."

FRANKFORT — A year after Gov. Steve Beshear implemented the federal health care law without legislative approval, Senate Republicans plan to push a constitutional amendment that would curb the governor's power to issue administrative regulations. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said his caucus would push for the restriction early in the 2014 General Assembly that begins Tuesday. The proposed change to the state Constitution would keep a regulation issued by the governor or executive branch from taking effect if lawmakers declare it deficient. The governor and executive agencies issue about 700 regulations each year to implement various laws approved by...

**SNIP** In addition, there’s the hidden surprise waiting for those who are enjoying subsidies to help them pay for the insurance. If they have a “major life event” like getting married, or getting a raise or a promotion with a higher salary, not only could the subsidy disappear but any subsidy they enjoyed prior will have to be paid back. **SNIP** The clock is ticking as the November elections draw ever closer. Senate Democrats up for reelection who voted for the ACA are finding themselves facing unhappy constituents and newly energized challengers along with critical TV ads from conservative groups...

Over at CNN Jonathan Gruber posts the question "when will get the verdict on Obamacare?" The rollout of the Affordable Care Act has been unquestionably rocky, but the rush to judgment was over the top. Critics had their knives out even though little data are available on initial program enrollment and success. It's much too early to declare the program either a failure or a success. Gruber argues that it's too soon to judge Obamacare: For example, when Massachusetts piloted the approach embodied in the ACA, we had very slow enrollment, with only 123 paying customers signing up the first...

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced in a new video that 2013 was a superb year for HHS, the Affordable Care Act, and big government's involvement in the heath care industry. In the video, entitled "The 2013 HHS Year in Review," Sebelius explained how great things are going. As melodic acoustic guitars played in the background, she stated: "Our efforts to implement the Affordable Care Act are protecting millions of Americans with new rights and benefits... And by opening up the health insurance marketplace, we've put affordable coverage within reach of millions more Americans. There's new choice...

We the people can nullify Obama’s unconstitutional communist POS by simply refusing to submit. If the majority of the people don’t sign up for it, it dies on the vine. In fact it wouldn’t take anywhere close to a majority. Twenty to thirty percent ought to do it. It's not going to work anyway. Socialism never works. We need to kill if it we want to save our constitutional republic! No surrender, no retreat!! Do not sign away your freedom!! Do not submit to the godless leftist wannabe dictators!! We are the resistance!!

By George HandleryThe long, slow death of federalism is nearly complete.  While perhaps an enthusiasm boost for the GOP heading into the November election, the Supreme Court's Obamacare decision is yet another nail in the coffin of a federal government of limited, enumerated powers.  Since the Constitution has become all but a dead letter, it is time to empower the States against an unrestrained centralized government.While a majority of the Court held that the Constitution's Commerce Clause did not authorize the individual mandate for individuals not currently in a commercial market, only Justice Thomas was willing to overturn any of...