What does "constitutional" mean here?

Constitutional means consistent with the Constitution
and not in violation thereof.

I think that was quite a good answer Dave.

You should be commended for sticking to the subject and not giving in to the temptation of talking about the politics. That must be a bit tricky, today of all days.

Well done. I'm not being sarcastic btw.

I agree with Izzy.
Good on you, David.

Joe(that's why you are my friend)Nation

Thank u, Izzy,
but to have done otherwise 'd not be a viable choice.
The argument 'd go on forever n not be well suited to the question.





David

Its very nice of u to say so, Joe; thank u.





David

Dispite disagreeeing with David on a lot of things I like him too.

And you of course as well.

Thank you guys.

How could " health care law" be "as a tax"?

I didn't get it well.

Its only an issue as to whether Congress has acted within its authority,
or whether it committed a USURPATION of power,
the way a bank teller steals from his bank.





David

For your general information,
I invite your attention to the nature of the word: "constitution"
or "Constitution" if one in particular is designated, e.g., the US Constitution (a proper noun)
or the Constitution of New York (a proper noun).

To constitute means to make up; e.g., ice is constituted of water.
In America, government is constituted of an agreement, a contract,
(between the people who have created that government)
to whose terms we refer to ascertain what government is authorized to do
and what power has been refused to it. That contract designates
the political relations between that government and the citizens.
The less jurisdiction the government has, the more personal freedom the citizens have, by INVERSE PROPORTION.

That contract is government's authorization to do
certain designated things, and not to do others.
Whether a law, a statute, is OK and legitimate or not
depends on whether that law that government has passed
is consistent with the Constitution. If it is NOT consistent with
the Constitution, then it is deemed null and void.

That question (of legitimacy) is decided by a court of competent jurisdiction.





David

It's in reference to the penalty for not having health insurance that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act calls for. The Supreme Court ruled that the penalty is in effect a tax.

YES. The court said that.
However, the purpose of taxes is to fund the government,
not to inflict punishment; THAT 'd be "a fine."





David