Reply #20: Trying to think of a nice way to say you're wrong

[Prophet 451]

Firstly, the decision will have nothing to do with the law. The decision will be made purely on the basis of party politics. Whether the conservative majority support or oppose the law will depend entirely on whether they want to give Obama a black eye or want to give insurance companies millions more customers.

Secondly, the federal government HAS mandated that people buy a product from a third party before. The Militia Act of 1792 mandated that every able-bodied male purchase various items which would cost around $2000 in present-day money. There is also "An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seaman" (1798) which mandated that privately employed sailors purchase health insurance. Both Acts were passed by many of the very same people who wrote and signed the Constitution and they didn't think either was unconstitutional. On that basis, the mandate is also constitutional.