How apropos that the King v. Burwell ruling came out on the birthday of Eric Blair, who was born on this day in India in 1903.
Eric Blair at six weeks old
You might know him better by his nom de satire, George Orwell.
Orwell wrote frequently about the manipulation of language to obtain one’s desired outcome, especially in his classic, “Nineteen eighty-four,” with its concepts of newspeak and doublethink. Doublethink is holding two contradictory views or opinions at the same time.
This is what John Roberts did in today’s ruling by saying an exchange established the state is the same as an exchange established by the federal government.
Orwell once wrote, “But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.”
Antonin Scalia’s dissent points out the doublethink of both ObamaCare decision from Roberts:
The somersaults of statutory interpretation they have performed (“penalty” means tax, “further [Medicaid] payments to the State” means only incremental Medicaid payments to the State, “established by the State” means not established by the State) will be cited by litigants endlessly, to the confusion of honest jurisprudence. And the cases will publish forever the discouraging truth that the Supreme Court of the United States favors some laws over others, and is prepared to do whatever it takes to uphold and assist its favorites.
WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, and IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
4TH ST8 
wow. now you sound just like that “Winston Smith” wacko who shows up here to complain that we have been enslaved by the Federal Reserve Bank and that 9/11 was an inside job.
The progressive left’s twisted version of fascism is in full throttle ahead mode…”a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc.,”…with the blessing and support of the spineless three…Roberts, McConnell and Boehner. Where is the push back?
Boy, are you a loon!
Unlike most of us, nyp is never confused when it comes to liberal/progressive beliefs, thoughts, policies, etc. Roberts Rules of Order now means Chief Justice Roberts circuitous and torturous opinions and definitions, with him a state, or a tax, isn’t a state, or a tax, unless it is a state, or a tax, that isn’t a state, or a tax. THAT’S IT!
Coming from you little nypper…I’ll take that as a compliment.
I mean, really … fascism, forceable supression of opposition, regimenting all industry, …
You really need to get a good night’s sleep!
I am quitting my job so I can sell timeshares at underwater basket weaving seminars!
Obamacare is GRRRREAT!
The co-mingling of crony capitalism (the selected insurance companies) and the full force of the federal government (executive & judicial branches, with a neutered & hobbled legislative branch)…I said it was a twisted version…with the left it usually is.
Well, it is indeed true that doctors, hospitals and health insurance companies all benefit from a law that aims to repair what had been dysfunctional insurance markets. Plus, seventeen million Americans now have health insurance security that cannot be taken away. Plus, the healthcare cost curve appears to have been shifted downwards.
You and the Republicans in Congress and on the presidential campaign trail all think that is a bad thing that should be repealed. I will be happy to have the American people adjudicate the issue next November.
We weren’t promised cost curve would be shifted downwards.
Obama promised us $2500 lower premiums!
He said it, that was his promise and it didn’t happen.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/promise/521/cut-cost-typical-familys-health-insurance-premium-/
No amount of spin will change that except when it does but that is only if it doesn’t, in a state or when the state is not a state or when the……what does Roberts say? I am getting a headache!
I see. So, unless your premiums are $2,500 lower then they would otherwise have been, the Affordable Care Act must be judged a failure.
Interesting way of evaluating an important public policy measure.
So when this boondoggle all began…there were supposedly 45.7 million uninsured Americans and the little nypper is claiming that now 17 million now have healthcare insurance under Obamacare. So our Community Organizer in Chief blew up the whole existing healthcare system…and there are still 28.7 million that remained uninsured? That’s success? Sounds a bit Orwellian to me…
“blew up the whole existing healthcare system”
An “important public policy measure” ruled a broken promise by Politifact….you are dizzying, nyp!
The steady reductions in the number of American citizens without adequate insurance are pretty much on target with what the CBO models predicted -except for the millions in red states who didn’t get access to expanded Medicaid because of the 2012 Supreme Court ruling and the actions of GOP legislatures.
keep in mind that the “45.7 million” uninsured figure used above includes illegal aliens. The ACA doesn’t cover illegal aliens.
Sure Brien…of course that is success,,,just like “shifting the cost curve downwards” is totally a big win, getting less than half the uninsured onto those thin networks is complete success!
Get with the dizzy!
Shifting the cost-curve downwards — an advertised part of healthcare reform — is indeed a huge win. It is one of the key drivers to solving our long-term deficit problem.
Did the math…my portion of the premium for my employer sponsored health insurance is more than 8% of my gross!
I’m gettin off the employer plan and jumpin into the Obamacare bandwagon! All hail gubmint sheese!
Yeah…solve that deficit by cutting everyone a big check and making them pay tax on it!
You can’t get insurance from the exchange if your employer sponsors a plan. So your idea will not fly
Sung to the tune of the Beatles’ “Doctor Robert”
Well my friend, I said don’t trust Justice Roberts
Day or night he’ll rule in Obama’s favor, Justice Roberts
Justice Roberts, you’re a liberal now it’s true
Won’t help you to understand
Just does everything he’s told, Justice Roberts
If you’re thinking conservative, Justice Roberts
Take a drink from his liberal cup, Justice Roberts
Justice Roberts, he’s a man you can’t believe
Confusing those on the right
No one can have faith in Justice Roberts
Well, well, well, your decision’s sick
Well, well, well, can’t trust you… Justice Roberts
My friend works with the ObamaCare, Justice Roberts
Won’t be paid good money anymore with Justice Roberts
Justice Roberts, you’re a liberal now it’s true
Won’t help you to understand
Just does everything he’s told, Justice Roberts
Well, well, well, your decision’s sick
Well, well, well, can’t trust you… Justice Roberts
Well my friend, I said don’t trust Justice Roberts
Well my friend, I said don’t trust Justice Roberts
Justice Roberts
But I pay more than 8% of my gross just for my part of the premium!
I guess all those people on Ocare will just have to suck it and pay their taxes!
“Did the math…my portion of the premium for my employer sponsored health insurance is more than 8% of my gross!” Sorry to hear of your loss. I paid $5,000 less this year for my insurance plus had a colonoscopy paid for by my insurance. Maybe Obamacare favors us more liberal types.
The big news is that the health care apocalypse predicted by Conservatives has not come to pass. Once again, history proves extreme Conservatives wrong, wrong, wrong. Extremists on both sides usually are.
Costs would have been even lower if the Republicans hadn’t forced Medicare to pay for procedures which fail to reduce morbidity or mortality such as the PSA screening test for prostate disease. The Democrats, on the other hand, should be shamed for failing to address tort reform, which also could have saved big bucks.
Yeah,,,Obamacare and big government support wealthy small business owners….our vet is actually near the one percent.
He also owns a non profit zoo.
So happy to subsidize you rich liberal business owners.
I lost my health insurance this year because of SCOTUScare. The least expensive policy I could find for my daughter and I would have cost $6000 in premium with a $12,000 deductible. I elected to not buy health insurance. The state exchanges are going broke because people are not signing up for this unaffordable health insurance. My taxes are going to subsidize those that do sign up. I can’t afford it, but I have to pay so others will have it.
Roberts has twice decided to disregard the Constitution and rewrite the law to make it say what he wants it to say. He substituted “penalty” for “tax” and now has decided “State” means “Federal.”
Progressives celebrate his lawlessness because they have the expansion of government control they had desired for over 100 years.
I also blame the Republicans, namely Dean Heller and Joe Heck. They both voted to fully fund this lawless bill. Yes, they have “show votes” to repeal it, but when it came down to the crucial vote, they folded (along with many of their other big government votes.)
The Republican Party, at both the State and Federal level no longer represent the people. The Republicans do the bidding of big business to deliver cheap labor and crony capitalism, picking winners and losers among those that help them get elected – Witness the money given out to pass TPA.
Sandoval did the bidding of the casinos and unions. When the bill comes due to pay for the expansion of Medicaid put in place by Sandoval, the gross receipts tax on all businesses will come in handy.
If you continue to vote for these big government statists and corporatists, we will continue so see our freedom’s (what little is left) slip away. Do not listen to their words. Check their voting records and remember to support only conservatives in the primaries. We have one last chance in 2017 to elect a conservative President. He will need strong conservatives in Washington and the States to have his six, and right now we have none serving in Congress at the moment.
WAIT A MINUTE!!!!
Rincon paid $5000.00 LESS in health insurance premiums?
That is TWICE Obama’s promise….I want HALF! Redistribute it, redistribute it NOW!
“Yeah,,,Obamacare and big government support wealthy small business owners” Income inequality began with the Reagan Revolution and has continued ever since. Maximum income tax rate plunged from 70 to 28%.
As for my health insurance, my premium reduction has nothing to do with my income or business ownership. I have a preexisting condition, osteopenia, which isn’t even a disease. With Obamacare, the insurance companies are no longer allowed to gouge me.
Redistribute it? As a bona fide capitalist, I’m supposed to be against all of that. Sorry Steve.
Capitalist?
Nope.
Socialist…loving the OPM!
“(Bloomberg) — The biggest entitlement legislation in a generation is causing barely a ripple in corporate America.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — otherwise known as Obamacare — is putting such a small dent in the profits of U.S. companies that many refer to its impact as “not material” or “not significant,” according to a Bloomberg review of conference-call transcripts and interviews with major U.S. employers.”
OPM? Office of Personnel Management? Other peoples’ money?
Capitalist: 1) A wealthy person who uses money to invest in trade and industry for profit in accordance with the principles of capitalism.
I set up my own business and make my living from it. I also invest in stocks, bonds and real estate. And of course, you claim that I’m wealthy. This fits the definition. Sorry Steve, you’re wrong again.
http://terrellaftermath.com/
Spot on Barbara…well said!
http://news.investors.com/photopopup.aspx?id=759067
Other Peoples Money!
The socialist/capitalist favorite.
you are absolutely correct. We subsidize healthcare insurance for people who cannot afford the insurance on their own. Just as we subsidize free public elementary/secondary education, public universities, student loans, public libraries, public hospitals, etc.
I don’t deny it.
It’s about time…a bill that would demand that the US Supreme Court justices and all of their staff would be required to seek their healthcare policies from the Obamacare exchanges! “As the Supreme Court continues to ignore the letter of the law, it’s important that these six individuals understand the full impact of their decisions on the American people,” he said. “By eliminating their exemption from ObamaCare, they will see firsthand what the American people are forced to live with,” he added
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/246204-gop-bill-would-force-supreme-court-to-enroll-in-obamacare
??? they get healthcare insurance through their employer, just like most Americans. They no more have an “exemption from ObamaCare” than you and I do because we already have employer-sponsored insurance.
Alright little nypper…who is their employer? Were they a part of the 729 exempted groups that was supposed to expire at the end of 2014. Do they receive subsidies that allow them to acquire the Cadillac policies they are accustomed to…?
1. Their employer is the US government. They get (and contribute to) the same employer-sponsored health insurance that an employee of the National Weather Service receives.
2. The “exempted groups” to whom you refer had provided crappy “mini-med” insurance to their members. Insurance with $5k annual benefit ceilings and other lousy features. They were granted temporary extensions in order to allow them to transition to offering decent-quality insurance. You have a problem with that?
3. Insurance plans for federal employees is not “cadillac” insurance. It doesn’t have those super-generous features. But those Cadillac features are extremely wasteful, and they are tax-subsidized by people like you and me. One of the many great aspect of ObamaCare is that it will take away the taxpayer subsidy for wasteful Cadillac plans and will help move people away from them.
So let’s review…Obamacare was supposed to provide insurance for 30 plus million uninsured Americans…at the end of this decade there will be 31 million uninsured (not counting illegal immigrants). “If you like your plan, doctor, etc…you can keep your plan, doctor”, etc…was a total fabrication. The promise of an average savings of $2500 per family per year…was another total fabrication also. Millions of Americans have had their policies cancelled and were forced to enter the exchange to purchase policies that included coverage they didn’t need for more money with much higher deductibles. Emergency rooms are as busy or busier than pre-Obamacare days…and to this day 48% of Americans oppose Obamacare…while 43% support it. You can only put so much lipstick on a pig…
Since the supposed “Cadillac” plan premiums were not indexed properly….in just a few years almost every employer sponsored plan will fall under this category.
As with AMT the ACA will probably have to be “adjusted” annually for the rest of time.
Examples of Orwell’s 1984’s NewSpeak: “WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, and IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” “Five years in, what we are talking about is no longer just a law. It’s no longer just a theory. It isn’t even just about the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare,” Mr Obama said. “This is now part of the fabric of how we care for one another. This is health care in America”.
Yes, it is part of the fabric of how we Americans care for one another.
I believe that all Americans have a right to affordable, high-quality healthcare insurance for themselves and their families. You disagree. I’m happy to have the matter decided at the next Presidential election.
By the way — where are the “millions of American” who have supposedly been hurt by ObamaCare? Why aren’t they speaking up? Why aren’t they marching in the streets?
Could it be that they don’t exist?
Barbara spoke about it above. You don’t hear about it, because it runs counter to the progressive leftist template adopted by the vast majority of the mainstream lapdog, leg humping journalists. By the time you and I and the rest of the population who receive healthcare insurance through their employers have their policies cancelled and are required to seek coverage through the exchanges, it will be too late. But hey it’s all roses and sweet chocolate…just ask the hypnotized left.
Your employer policy is being cancelled?
“Barbara spoke about it above. You don’t hear about it, because it runs counter to the progressive leftist template adopted by the vast majority of the mainstream lapdog, leg humping journalists.”
Ignoring for the moment that Fox News roots out just about every negative possible regarding Obamacare, it’s nice to see Conservatives retreating to their last and, in their minds, impregnable defense – the conspiracy theory. If the facts don’t fit your theories, then the facts must not be the real ones!
SCOTUSCare, like so many other forms of federal usurpation, is all about ends justifying the means.
The “ends” of making sure that Americans have decent health coverage.
The “ends” is control.
War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
[…] this is nothing new when it comes to discussing ObamaCare. Antonin Scalia’s dissent in the Supreme Court decision upholding ObamaCare points out the doublethink […]