Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Hobby Lobby

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled today that the birth control provisions of the Affordable Care Act infringed on the religious liberties of businesses and business owners—particularly, in this case, of Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties.

. . . [Justice] Alito held that in the case before the court, the religious objections cited were legally legitimate, under a law that bars the government from taking action in certain cases that “substantially burdens” freedom of religion. He noted that fines for one company could total $475 million per year if they did not comply with the ObamaCare rule.

 

“If these consequences do not amount to a substantial burden, it is hard to see what would,” Alito wrote.

 

. . . The court had never before recognized a for-profit corporation’s religious rights under federal law or the Constitution. The companies in this case, and their backers, argued that a 1993 federal law on religious freedom extends to businesses.

So businesses will not be required to pay for abortifacient birth control. Which raises a huge number of questions and significantly weakens the Affordable Care Act’s capacity for unilateral provisions. It will undoubtedly open the door for other similar challenges.

This very possibility was the reason four of the Justices disagreed with the majority opinion. Justice Ginsberg, speaking for the minority opinion, opined that a ruling in favor of Hobby Lobby would allow for “sweeping” challenges to the Affordable Care Act. The Obama administration made this same argument, stating that a win for Hobby Lobby meant businesses could challenge government stipulations on immunization, Social Security withholdings, and minimum wage.

Possibly in order to prevent this possibility, Justice Alito made it clear that striking down a portion of the ACA’s provisions did not put the entire bill in jeopardy:

Alito clarified that the decision Monday is limited to contraceptives under the health care law. “Our decision should not be understood to hold that an insurance-coverage mandate must necessarily fall if it conflicts with an employer’s religious beliefs.”

But why doesn’t this case extend to civil government coercion of private businesses in other areas? This decision does not go far enough. Businesses should be allowed to pay what they want, discriminate how they want, offer or not offer insurance, and basically organize their employment contracts and remuneration packages however the employer and employee mutually and voluntarily agree.

What’s so wrong with that? If you want full coverage health insurance, get a job with a company that offers that. If there isn’t one, start one. If you disagree with a company’s position, don’t give them your money. Contrary to the leftist mantra, perks are not rights. Birth control isn’t a right. Neither is health coverage, food, housing, or anything else. The civil government is responsible to protect people from criminal wrongdoing. Nothing more and nothing less. Which is why, at least in this case, they did their job.

7 responses

  1. What’s going to happen is the reprobate-in-chief will pull out his pen and phone and make up his own law again, and our illustrious congressional members will sit back and let him. Doesn’t matter what the most highest judicial judges in the nation rule. This reprobate is bringing the nation down through his arrogance. Just like the military has fallen by the hands of this regime, they want to marginalize the Christians as the Nazis did with the Jews.

    • Presidents don’t make laws, Congress does. The Republicans in Congress prefer to sit on their pasty white rear ends and do nothing. They refuse to meet with Obama and they don’t want to be photographed near him.

      Republicans have lost The White House for at least 12 yrs. They proved that they don’t take their Constitutional duties seriously. They refused to act on their job descriptions in The Constitution. They wanted the country to fail since January, 2009. That failure includes you. By voting for them, you vote for your own failure.

      • Try turning the lights on so you can see better. You are the epitome of the electorate that put your dictator in office. You disgust me.

      • Its not often, but – You occasionally make some valid points – I agree – Both the Republicans and the Democrats are in collusion to destroy this country. And you are also correct about the President not having the authority to make laws – but he has been. This is only possible when the entire congress sits on their butts and watch without lifting a finger to stop him. They are too Busy to be bothered when they have to concentrate on getting re-elected to collect their $185,000 a year in stolen tax dollars

  2. Make all contraception medical charges 100% tax deductible.
    or
    Make the insurance companies pick up the cost.

    • I understand you’re an atheist… but do you honestly not care about the rights and obligations of the 80% of Americans who call themselves Christians? We are getting tired of having our religious rights trampled by those of you who claim to be so inclusive…

Leave a Reply