The long-term threat to individual freedom was the possibility the Commerce Clause could have been invoked in cases of inactivity rather than activity. A 5-4 rejection of Obamacare based on the Commerce Clause wouldn't have been compelling on future courts. Instead, all nine justices ended up agreeing that Obamacare was a violation of the Commerce Clause. Our liberties are better protected by this facet of the outcome.
President Barack Obama assured us it was legal under the clause (wrong), that it was not a tax (wrong) and has consistently trumpeted that he would not burden the middle class with additional taxes. Now we have a majority opinion, driven by the liberal justices, that has declared this to be a tax. Mitt Romney should have a lot of fun with this. Those who are excoriating Chief Justice John Roberts may want to apologize in November.
Walter Rowe, Edmond
