Optimism Prevails as Chief Justice Roberts Gets it Right on Obamacare

June 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Chief Justice Roberts played the role he was appointed to – “steward” of the nation’s highest court.  His actions and decision not only reflected optimism in and of themselves, they spread optimism to millions of Americans who do not have health insurance.

The 30-40 million citizens who do not have health care, now have more than hope; they have optimism – meaning they now have a very practical and realistic way to get the health care they need.

Justice Roberts acted on principal and not mere political motivation.  He found a legitimate and proven way to establish the constitutionality of the affordable health care law.

This decision is likely to be the one that defines the centerpiece of his legacy as Chief Justice.  There will be other momentous decisions to which he will be a part, but 75 years from now, historians will look back and wonder at the courage and wisdom involved in this one.

For the life of me, I can’t understand why anyone is not in favor of universal health care.  How can we be considered the best place in the world to live when 30 to 40 million Americans do not have health insurance?

When my grandfather became a physician in 1903 no one had health insurance, but everyone had access to care because the doctor footed the health care through pro bono service, or with the acceptance of barter.  If a farmer couldn’t pay the doctor, he gave him eggs to feed his family.  The only limit to access was distance to a doctor’s office.

Society, medicine, and economics are much more complicated now than 100 years ago.  In simpler times, care could be guraenteed by the good heart of the doctor and the "Hippocratic Oath."  In today's world of medical procedures and drugs that can easily cost over $100,000 or more we need a little help from the government to help us share the wealth of knowledge and good health.

The spirit of moment-to-moment optimism is one of sharing and Christ’s dictum to love one another.  If I love my neighbor, how can I live with myself if I am not for my neighbor having some kind of affordable health care?  Yes, it is going to cost more, but only a pessimist will stand by and say, “I am keeping my money for myself.  I don’t care if my neighbor dies of cancer while I live.”

Governor Romney is a pessimist-spreading hypocrite willing to shift his position simply in order to please his political base.  Romney acts as if he never heard of the universal health care bill he supported and spirited though the Massachusetts legislature when he was governor; the bill that was basis for Obama’s bill.  

A man of character holds to some kind of reasoned and principled internal consistency that can be seen as a “beacon” of light for others to follow.  Governor Romney may have never had such an internal rudder, but if he did, he sure lost his way on this one.

When someone who proclaims to be a leader can’t stand up for what for what he stands for or does not have anything to stand for, he brings darkness and pessimism to those who follow because there is no clear path to be seen.  If Romney believed in what he accomplished for health care in Massachusetts then he needs to stand for what he stood for, otherwise he stands for nothing.

Romney could have made some choices in this matter that would have shown he was a man of character.  Instead, he makes the glib and shallow response that what he did in Massachusetts does not apply nationally.   Or, he ignores what he stood for in the past when says, “I will repeal Obamacare on day one of my Presidency.”  

A man of character would have stood his ground and worked to convince the nay-sayers why Romney-care worked and is working in Massachusetts.  In so doing he would have demonstrated his good “stewardship.”  Instead he has shown he is not capable of steering any ship.  In supporting the President’s bill, he would have taken it off the political table, and been able to focus on the real issue – “the economy;” and still have had a ship to steer.

In conclusion, I applaud Chief Justice Roberts for his “Optimism Stamina.”   He went to his “creative zone” to define the “penalty” as a tax, He was willing to accept and consider opinions different from his own.  He maneuvered around the roadblocks of dissenting judges and his own conservative, personal preferences.  He took the next right step and he did it right!

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