Supreme Court Issues Decision on the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) >

June 28, 2012--On Thursday the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion [PDF] on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare.  President Obama's signature accomplishment was at stake, and Election Day, November 6 was less than five months away.  The decision was seen by some as the most important ruling by the Court since Bush v. Gore, and pundits and prognositicators had been laying out scenarios for several weeks as to what might happen.  As supporters and opponents gathered outside the Court, it was widely expected that the justices would strike down the individidual mandate at the center of ObamaCare.  Recall that when Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. had argued the case three months ago (+), many or most observers thought he had not done well.  The justices seemed to show considerable skepticism.  However, it is notoriously difficult to devine the intentions of the justices, and Chief Justice John Roberts surprised just about everyone as he joined a 5 to 4 majority in concluding "that the individual mandate may be upheld as within Congress’s power under the Taxing Clause."  [reactions: supporters | opponents | more]

Gregg C. Cummings, Iowa state coordinator for Tea Party Patriots, helped lead opponents of ObamaCare.  Chants included "the Constitution matters!" "you cannot fix unconstitutional!"  "my health, my say!" and "strike it down!"

Supporters of the health care reform law chanted "we love ObamaCare!"  At one point the sound system played Bob Marley's "One Love."  The lyrics "let's get together and feel all right" set an upbeat tone.

Another point of view was represented by "Belly Dancers for Single Payer" (the TarabRaqs).
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