Missouri rejects ObamaCare mandates by over 70%

The New York Times: Missouri voters on Tuesday easily approved a measure aimed at nullifying the new federal health care law, becoming the first state in the nation where ordinary people made known their dismay over the issue at the ballot box. 

The measure was intended to invalidate a crucial element of President Obama’s health care law — namely, that most people be required to get health insurance or pay a tax penalty. Supporters of the measure said it would send a firm signal to Washington about how this state, often a bellwether in presidential elections, felt about such a law. 

Granted this is referendum will not stand up in court, however what it does do is send a clear and undeniable message that Washington has crossed the line.  Some on the left maybe tempted to say that these numbers merely represent Republicans coming out in mass for a Republican primary. Well, left wing blog No More Mister Nice Blog dispels that notion. 

That's from The New York Times, which arrives at an odd conclusion about the results:

In the end, though, the referendum seemed not to capture the general population's attention. Instead, Republican primary voters (who had the most competitive races on Tuesday) appeared to play a crucial role in the vote's fate. 

Really? I'm looking at election results here and I can't help noticing that there were more "Yes" voters -- voters rejecting the health care mandate -- than there were voters for all the candidates in the top-of-the-ballot GOP race, the primary for a candidate to succeed Kit Bond in the U.S. Senate.

The referendum vote was:

Yes: 667,680

No: 271,102

The total number of votes cast for the nine candidates in the Republican Senate primary (which Roy Blunt easily won) was 577,612 -- 90,000 votes fewer than were cast against health care reform. Which suggests that anti-HCR voters were more motivated to vote in the referendum than to vote in the primary, that virtually all Republicans voted with the anti-HCR majority, and quite possibly that a fair number of Democratic primary voters joined them.

The referendum gathered 90,000 more votes than the combined votes of the 9 Republicans running in the primary. Now that is better bipartisan support than you find in Washington today.

I noticed a few polls last week that were trying to show that support for ObamaCare was growing. If Missouri is any indication of how the actual voting public feels about ObamaCare, then I say those polls are pretty much meaningless. If Republicans are smart they should make repeal of ObamaCare the cornerstone of their 2010 and 2012 elections. Clearly, repeal will resonate with the folks who actually turn out at the polls.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: The New York Times

Via: No More Mister Nice Blog

Via: Hot Air

Missouri to hold statewide referendum on Obamacare

As some 18 states prepare to go to court over the individual mandates in ObamaCare, Missouri is trying a different approach. 

Washington Times: The Missouri General Assembly yesterday decided to try a slightly different approach, giving final approval to a first-of-its-kind statewide referendum on Obamacare. That means voters will take to the ballot box and decide whether to nullify any law that would "compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer or health care provider to participate in any health care system."

Missouri state Sen. Jane Cunningham, the Health Care Freedom Act's primary sponsor, credited the Tea Party movement for pushing the issue through the state Senate 26-8 and the state House 108-47. "We've got a very active grass-roots patriot uprising in Missouri, and they've been very active in passing this," Mrs. Cunningham told The Washington Times. "My guess is that turnout will be pretty heavy because there is so much angst over what is coming down from over there in Washington."

Show Me State Democrats feared the impact of energizing Republican turnout when close congressional races are on the line. Theyused their filibuster power in the state Senate to ensure the referendum vote would take place in August during the primary and not the November general election. About 2.9 million voters took part in the last general election but only 755,000 in the last primary. Placing health care on the ballot is likely to draw enthusiastic participation from voters excited for the chance to make their voices heard in a meaningful way.

This voice needs to be heard. By fining people who fail to purchase a health insurance coverage package deemed acceptable to federal authorities, Obamacare oversteps the limits on federal powers set by the Constitution. It is a testament to the health of our democracy that so many states are fighting back - even more so now that the public will have the chance to take part in the effort. Opinion surveys based on a few hundred people are one thing, but perhaps the message will get through when nearly a million people pass their judgment on the federal plan. Can Obamacare survive a vote? Not a chance.

To say I like this idea is an understatement. The result will allow for no wiggle room to lie and say people want that hunk of junk ObamaCare. The direct voice of the people will be heard, despite Missouri Democrat’s trickery.

If you know anyone in Missouri, make sure to pass this on.

Via: The Washington Times