So Congress can levy a tax on you for anything you choose NOT to do?

[gustav]

Chief Justice Roberts says the power of Congress to tax people for buying a car also gives it the power to tax them for NOT buying health insurance. Does that mean Congress can tax you for NOT buying a car? or a house? Or for not having kids? Or for not joining a labor union? Or not contributing to a candidate's election campaign fund? If this is a tax, the Constitution requires that it be levied against everyone, not just the ones the President and Congress choose to single out. When the income tax was passed, it required a Constitutional amendment. How can this law possibly be any different?

[torran]

Apparently they can.
It was ruled to be constitutional so I expect Republicans to stop crying about it being unconstitutional.

[jen]

Yup sets an awful precedent. Almost going to be a shame when Romney wins and repeals it.

[vruyk]

Theoretically, yes.

But, consider that it has to go through the house, the senate, and the president.

Good luck getting all three to agree.

[gustav]

you pay income tax dont you?

[barnett]

it is NOT a tax, if you happen to be paying attention to the rulings. If it were a tax, it would get through much more easily, but in congress both sides were saying, "this is NOT a tax."
It doesn't need a constitutional amendment, because the frameworks for it are--arguably--there.