We asked our readers… (via an online poll)

Do you Agree or Disagree with the Supreme Court’s ruling on the health care law:

Reader Responses:

“Since the president was all about his health care not being a tax – I find it wrong that’s the reason the court upheld it – within the government’s right to tax.” 
– Ed Urbanek, Senior Broker Associate, Iowa Realty Commercial

“There are many good aspects to the law. It would have been a disaster to throw it out and start over. If there are aspects that can be improved, congress needs to go back and work through them. We need to move forward.” 
– Kris Benge, HR Director, Vital Support Systems

“The cost to taxpayers will be incredible as the invisible portions of the costs that have been shifted affect everyday Americans.” 
– David Lewis, Vice President, Performance Display

“If we allow the Affordable Healthcare Act to be fully implemented so that all of our citizens have access to quality healthcare as a nation we will be better served. I am pleased that the Supreme Court recognized that quality healthcare for all is of the upmost importance to us as a nation.” 
– Mike Humphreys, Account Executive, Ruan Car Leasing

It reaches beyond the scope of where our government should reach. It is an intrusion on the liberties of the American citizens.
– Brad Woolard, Executive Vice President, Success Bank

Anonymous reader responses:

Don’t want to pay for the uninsured.
– Anonymous

If the federal government can tax us seemingly at will, what will they do next? Tax/fine pastors who preach from the bible about homosexuality?
– Anonymous

It reaches beyond the scope of where our government should reach. It is an intrusion on the liberties of the American citizens.
– Anonymous

ENOUGH with government intervention and oversight. Have we forgotten how to be responsible citizens without the government?
– Anonymous

The cost to taxpayers will be incredible as the invisible portions of the costs that have been shifted affect everyday Americans.
– Anonymous

I don’t believe it’s right to tax someone for NOT participating in a form of commerce. What’s next, taxing everyone for auto insurance because at some point you are on the roads, whether it be by car, bicycle, bus, etc.?
– Anonymous

GOVERNMENT SPONSORED HEALTH CARE IN WHICH EVERYONE PARTICIPATES IS THE ONLY WAY TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR EVERYONE
– Anonymous

The US Supreme Court is made up entirely of east coast, ivy league legal training and prejudice. Why is not the court presentative of a cross section of the nation and not this elitism. This is the first step towards single payer, and that being the government. The government is notorious bad at administrating anything, including themselves. Why would we want to allow more intrusion into our lives – the next Congress must deal with this fall-out and not duck and hide because there is an election and the life-time career may be in jeopardy. We need some inner strength and fortitude and not more political side-stepping.
– Anonymous

The court exercised judicial restraint in not overturning legislation, unless clearly unconstitutional, which is the proper role of the court.
– Anonymous

It oversteps our constitutional rights.
– Anonymous

Mandatory government purchases should be restricted areas in a free country.
– Anonymous

Simple economics give this law a high probability of reducing healthcare costs for all. Opponents will tell you that if this law stands life will end as we know it and the sky will fall, yet offer no alternative solutions to replace it. In fact, if this law was shot down by the court then the status quo of escalating costs and no options for those with pre-existing conditions would continue indefinitely. This law is not perfect; however it is a good compromise.
– Anonymous

This decision set a precedent for government to force citizens to purchase services they do not want to.
– Anonymous

I agree that the Commerce Clause does not allow Congress to mandate purchase of a private product. I agree that the federal government could levy a tax to support a health care system. I am not sure that is what Congress really did here.
– Anonymous

The government is a complete failure with regards to handling private citizen’s tax dollars. We do not want taxation without representation and that is exactly why I do not agree with the decision. The majority of the country does not agree with it and therefore, the majority of the tax payers should not be required to support it (it being something that was not even finished before it was legislated).
– Anonymous

The Federal Government has no right to mandate medical coverage in states, even if the U.S. Supreme Court ruled as such.
– Anonymous

The mandate should have been declared unconstitutional
– Anonymous

Too much Federal Government intervention for the American people. We are heading in the wrong direction under Obama!
– Anonymous

They are forcing people to do something-what is FREE-dom with that?
– Anonymous

The Affordable Care Act will make Americans healthier and our economy stronger.
– Anonymous

Since the president was all about his health care not being a tax – I find it wrong that’s the reason the court upheld it – within the government’s right to tax.
– Anonymous

Health care is too important and costs need to be distributed to all involved, not just those that can afford health care…it has to be a cost just like car insurance.
– Anonymous

1. over reach of our Constitution 2. other mandates for daily events and personal decisions are just a few votes away 3 If Roberts believes that the mandate wasn’t necessarily unconstitution but the tax to not comply is, then other taxes will be created for not following new mandates and laws. 4 It is suspicious that this new law will require 5000 more IRS agents to enforce.
– Anonymous

The deciding vote says what?…”the penalty for not buying health insurance is constitutional as a tax.” That doesn’t make sense to me. If it were meant to be a “tax” it should be described and voted on as an added tax when presented for debate….which I am pretty sure would then have been voted down.
– Anonymous

will increase taxes and it’s precedent for Obama to continue to push his socialist agenda
– Anonymous

The President and Congress repeatedly said the mandate was not a tax nor intended as a tax when describing it to the American people.
– Anonymous

There are many good aspects to the law. It would have been a disaster to throw it out and start over. If there are aspects that can be improved, congress needs to go back and work through them. We need to move forward.
– Anonymous

Unconstitutional
– Anonymous

It is time for reform and personal experience.
– Anonymous

Anything the federal government is involved in they mess up. Lool at the post office. We are America. We do not like being told We Have To
– Anonymous

Socialists won again and they won’t stop here.
– Anonymous

We need to move on and deal with the surging costs of health care.
– Anonymous

The government should not be allowed to impose rules on what we should or should not buy.
– Anonymous

It is not the role of government!!!
– Anonymous

Heathcare will finally be available, affordable and fair.
– Anonymous

we need long term plan to control helath care cost.. this plan is a start…..and csn be updated into future
– Anonymous

This shouldn’t be a decision made by the goverment…what’s next?!?!?!
– Anonymous

Health care needs to be available for all – you never know when you will be without it because of job cutbacks, etc…
– Anonymous

A landmark in federalism jurisprudence. Fascinating onion to unpeel re: Medicaid can’t be used as stick only carrot for major expansion of coverage.
– Anonymous

This will hurt small business and middle class tax payers. I do agree with not denying children with prexisting conditions.
– Anonymous