State lawsuits that argue against the constitutionality of
ObamaCare under the Commerce Clause have considerable merit and
could potentially come before the U.S. Supreme Court former New
York Gov. George Patakai told reporters during a question and
answer period at the The National Press Club.
Pataki, who is now chairman of Revere America, held a press
conference to announce a new campaign aimed against congressional
lawmakers who voted for President Obama’s healthcare bill, which
passed earlier this year. Television ads will be aired in concert
with other campaign efforts in key districts as part of the “Pledge
to Win” campaign.
In response to a question from The American Spectator that asked
whether or not he thought state suits could potentially reach The
Supreme Court, Pataki responded “Yes, I do.” But he also said that
opponents should not rely on the judiciary alone and work toward
the election of a new Congress more responsive to public
sentiment.
“I think that there are legitimate constitutional issues when
the federal government is imposing new burdens on the states, new
burdens that they have to increase their Medicaid eligibility break
when the states pay a significant part of that without providing
any funding,” he observed. “I think there are some serious
constitutional issues particularly when you are telling someone who
just doesn’t want to be a part of the system that you’re going to
get health care coverage acceptable to a Washington bureaucrat or
we’re going to fine you. I think that is patently
unconstitutional so I think there is a real issue of
unconstitutional imposition of requirements on states
unconstitutional impositions of fines which they are now calling
taxes on people who do not want to be a part of the system.”
Pataki also commented on what he described as the “corrupt
purchasing” of Senate votes.
“In Florida, seniors get to keep the Medicare Advantage
and then in the other 49 states you don’t,” he continued. “There is
a real issue as to whether or not it violates the Due Process
clause of the Constitution, I believe it does. So I think it’s
appropriate that the legal challenges are moving forward. I’m
hopeful that they will be successful but you can’t just rely on the
judicial system. We have a democratic government and ultimately the
Congress should reflect the will of the people. The will of the
people is that ObamaCare be repealed and replaced with good
healthcare reform. We’re going to try and help people who support
those positions get elected this November.”
Revere America was founded to “promote national awareness
of emerging federal law.” The organization’s web site
lists reforms that could be pursued as an alternative ObamaCare
such as allowing Americans to purchase insurance across state
lines. Revere America has also documented
ten hidden taxes included as part of ObamaCare.
Booger| 9.8.10 @ 2:18PM
If Pataki is so dead set at derailing Obamacare, he should have run against Kristen Sillybrand, a senate seat that will now stay safely in Demosocialist hands.
tonypal| 9.8.10 @ 3:26PM
Everyone contributes in his own way. Perhaps Pataki believes this is the best he can do.