Tad the bartender: Did they shoot your horse?
Tom Reagan: If there’s any justice.
— Miller’s Crossing (1989)
Well, thank goodness, there is still some, Tom.
This Monday, January 31st, 2011, U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson became the second judge to officially recognize the painfully obvious: namely, that forcing people to buy health insurance is unconstitutional.
Judge Vinson ruled that the reform law’s so-called “individual mandate” went “too far” in requiring that Americans start buying health insurance in 2014 or pay a penalty, stating furthermore:
“Because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire act must be declared void. This has been a difficult decision to reach, and I am aware that it will have indeterminable implications.”
Difficult decision? Seriously? This is a no-brainer.
Today was a small victory for my favorite lady, and yet Judge Vinson — who was so overwhelming correct in his ruling — makes me nervous with his equivocal language, leading to the real question:
How could any sane person actually believe that government possesses legitimate authority to force me or anyone to buy health insurance?