'Pursuit of Happiness' Authorizes Forcing People to Buy Health Insurance?!?

Rep. John Lewis Says Declaration's 'Pursuit of Happiness' Language and 14th Amendment Authorize Congress to Force People to Buy Health Insurance
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
By Nicholas Ballasy

(CNSNews.com) -Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) said on Tuesday that the government should require individuals to buy health insurance and cited the Preamble to the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence's "pursuit of happiness" language and the 14th Amendment as the sources of Congress' authority to enact such a mandate.

"I think people should be required to get health insurance. We require people to get insurance for their automobile state by state but the federal government has an obligation to encourage by law, moral persuasion, to get people to get health insurance," Lewis told CNSNews.com on Tuesday after a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hearing in opposition to Republican efforts to repeal the health-care law enacted last year.

One of the primary complaints Republicans have had about the health-care law is that it forces individuals to buy health insurance, which entails a power that many Republicans argue the Constitution does not give to Congress. Currently, 27 states are suing the federal government, arguing that the health-care law is in fact unconstitutional.

CNSNews.com also asked Lewis what part of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to require individuals to buy health insurance.

"Well, when you start off with the Preamble of the Constitution, you talk about the pursuit of happiness," said Lewis. "You go to the 14th Amendment--it's equal protection under the law and we have not repealed the 14th Amendment. People have a right to have health care. It's not a privilege but a right."

The Preamble of the Constitution states, "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

The Declaration of Independence says, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Rep. John Lewis


The 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution states, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

Lewis also predicted that the Supreme Court will ultimately decide that the individual mandate in the health care law in constitutional.

"I think when it gets to the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court will rule that it is legal and constitutional," he said.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• constitution
• obamacare
• congress
• supreme court
• president
• individual mandate

[laurencengirard]

WOW WHAT A FUCKING MORON HOLY SHIT LOL HOW ABOUT A RIGHT TO EALTHY FOOD YOU FUCKING DUMASS?

[Mike10four]

@XJJag Yes, it's sad many in government have little understanding about our Founding. We should all review our unalienable Rights and understand they are part of the Laws of Nature, and they also apply to all life and social systems. See my channel video.

[503mindst]

if it was a right, we would not to be forced to participate under threat of violence, and imprisonment. the fact that we have to pay, in addition to our taxes makes it itself a tax, and an obligation.

[IHATERMDLOL]

@bluetablepainting

You're correct. The Fed already doesn't have limits. Between "Presidential Actions" (decree's whos word is as good as law, regarding administrative and non-criminal actions) and the stranglehold that the federal reserve has on our economic future the Federal goverment can effectively do or say whatever it pleases. With the supreme court ruling removing ceilings on corporate sponsorship of political campaigns, the McCain/Obama campaigns may have well worn NASCAR jackets!

[LordMunchkin]

@bluetablepainting

Why are you such a separatist Shawn? What has the Federal government ever done to insure your constant criticism?

[bluetablepainting]

States, not the Feds, require automobile insurance, so that's a specious argument. Also, you are required typically to have car insurance only to cover other people's losses if you hit them, not always to insure yourself. You have a right to hurt yourself.

[Emidretrauqe]

If we have a right to healthcare, then why don't they make it federally funded?

Maybe because if they take over the industry that we're forced to pay, then it technically is?

And haven't we been fighting against that for the history of the country because it's inherently wrong?

[myrjer]

This idiot doesn't have a clue what the 14th amendment means or any other part of the constitution. Who elects these morons? Oh, never mind.

[XJJag]

"Pursuit of Happiness" ??? I could have sworn that was in the Declaration of Independence.. NOT the Preamble to our Constitution. Also, to the best of my knowledge, people aren't forced to buy insurance on their CARS... they are forced to buy liability insurance in case they injure someone or damage property.. The government could care less if someone can't afford to fix their OWN car. Candidates should have to pass a 9th grade civics exam or something before they can get into Congress.

[kevyster]

John Lewis=YAAFM