Only now having finally become accustomed to the D.C culture, we get to experience a true DC heat wave. And is it ever hot, almost 104 degrees last week!
This last week was an especially significant and what is sure to be a memorable week in American Politics, with the Supreme Court handing down one of their biggest decisions in years.
On Thursday June 28th, I was fortunate enough to take the morning off from work to be outside the Supreme Court as they issued their decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, (Sec. HHS). While I was eager to see the outcome of the case, I was also excited to be a part of history, as I had studied and followed the case throughout my time in Constitutional law classes. I was able to get a prime spot standing in front of the press corp. to await the decision.
As one could tell from the varying news sources that once the decision was there was mass confusion as to what the almost 100 page decision actually meant. (It’s quite hard to decipher Supreme Court language in only a matter of minutes) From out of nowhere some one in the press started screaming “mandate down, mandate down”. As you can maybe guess cheers erupted from the TEA party crowds and those opposing Obamacare. However, as more news came out from the press and the internet namely SCOTUSblog, it was determined that at least from what we could find out that the mandate was upheld as a Tax. Curiously enough during oral arguments the Obama Administration had tried to argue that the penalty for not buying health insurance was not a tax.
While the final decision was a blow to the protections of the Constitution, it did help to incite the Conservative movement to elect a new president and members of Congress, especially in the Senate where votes would be crucial to repealing the ACA.
Another memorable moment from Thursday morning, after the decision was read I was standing in front of Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), in which he gave one of the most eloquent responses. Noting how depressing this verdict was he said “It is now up to the American people to decide”. I think this clearly sums up the coming election and how important it will be for people to get out and support candidates that they agree with.
This next election cycle will be very important, in all races. Working with a state policy organization, I know that states are the fundamental battle grounds in protecting against the growth of big government. My internship site is different from others in that it acts as a legislator’s research service since most of the state legislators are part-time and have a very small staff. We do not seek to influence votes, only to provide the necessary resources and information for those state legislators in both parties that views align with the Jeffersonian values of limited governments, free markets and federalism.
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