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Throughout the health care debate, I have commented and posted on the fact that progressives need to support the Arizona Health Care Freedom Act.
Protecting Americans from corporatist greed and influence should be at the heart of what we are about.
And– it helped get Obama elected– no mandates. period. And no nut job at Aetna or in the government should keep you from spending your own money on legal health care.
Supporters have been accused of "nullification" — a not subtle claim that somehow if these efforts succeed, and are contrary to federal health care law (in both House and Senate versions), supporters seek a pre-civil war mentality.
And, of course, there is federal supremacy– so the efforts are futile.
But, what of DOMA? Aren’t Progressives in favor of same sex marriage via state efforts the same? Umm, yes.
But what of federal drug laws? Aren’t Progressives in favor of liberal medical marijuana state laws the same? Umm, yes.
But what of the right to die laws like in Oregon? The SCOTUS has actually decided IN FAVOR of Oregon in this state’s rights case… even though there are federal laws against it.
Progressives must be consistent intellectually— especially when conservatives are not.
Support the Health Care Freedom Act in Arizona and around the country.
3 Comments
It would help if you actually explained the essence of “Arizona Health Care Freedom Act”
There’s a pretty big difference with, for example, states allowing marijuana use and working with the feds on enforcement issues and nullification. One’s a good idea.
This is a brilliant post, and a way underrated perspective. OF COURSE liberals and progressives support nullification (when it comes to their own pet issues). They have for decades. They just call it something else.
If those on the Left and the Right would recognize that residents of individual states have as much right to choose their health care system as they do their marriage and marijuana policy, many of the most heated debates in this country could be avoided, and we would be a stronger nation for it.
Intellectual consistency is the single most important thing to bring to any debate. With it, you have credibility and clarity; without it, you have party politics.