They Might Be Doing What's Right

This article is in response to my class mate’s blog Response to Health Care.

All else aside, its crucial that the republicans voice their opinions on this bill because that’s what they’re supposed to do. Politics aside, no mater if your republican or democrat, if your for or against health care in whatever fashion it may be, the concerns being raised are legitimate. Not only because they may be right, but also because its their right to have them and express them.

The issue regarding the legality of this health care bill, as I understand it, relates to whether the federal government is infringing on the constitutionally protected right of the citizen in its passing of this piece of legislation. More specifically, (and I hope I’m right on this) does the federal government have the right to mandate the purchase of a marketed good (health insurance in this instance), under penalty of a fine (if they don’t), as one of this bills articles forces upon the citizen. This is an important constitutional issue with wide ranging implications.

I expect and would hope, that the Attorney General of Texas and every other state, no matter what their personal politics are or what the predominant political leanings of the particular state are, that they question the constitutionality of every new or existing statute, and oppose it if they see fit, as they are suppose to. It is the Attorney Generals duty to do so, as it is the duty of the opposing party’s (in this case the republicans) place to criticize and expose any issue they might have with any and all legislation brought forth. Its not only their right to use whatever legal methods they might have to contest anything they wish, but its also their duty to do so as (elected or appointed) public officials.

Its easy to get carried away with the “baby killer” or “Obamacare” type slogans that are being used by both sides. But all this serves to do, is to confuse the issues and breed animosity. Opposing the efforts to question the legitimacy of this bill on the basis of favoring universal health care, just isn’t right. There is always another way to attain universal health care if this provision of the bill gets struck down. Or at least, lets establish right now whether or not its within the federal governments limits to do this.

Even if I am wrong about the facts involved in what I think the republicans concerns are with this bill. Even if they’re wrong and it is in fact completely legal. Even if their motives are indeed geared towards dealing a blow to this bill just because it advocates universal health care, rather than the noble cause of upholding the citizens right under the constitution. I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one; I don’t care even if they’re doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. As long as it’s the right thing to do, then someone should be doing it.