Many not happy with court vote
By Steve Herring
Published in News on June 29, 2012 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MICHAEL BETTS
Max Best vocalizes his displeasure with the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the individual mandate portion of the health care law while enjoying his lunch at Wilber's Barbecue. Best sees the decision as a further slide into socialism.
Barbecue plates weren't the only thing being chewed up by Thursday's lunch crowd at Wilber's Barbecue Restaurant -- so was the Supreme Court's hour-old 5-4 decision preserving a requirement of President Barack Obama's health care plan that requires Americans to buy health insurance.
It was a particularly unpopular decision at one table of mostly older and retired or semi-retired regulars at the restaurant -- even though most admitted they had not read the bill.
"When you sat down and saw steam coming out of his ears you know he had already heard it," said Dee Smith of one of her tablemates. "When he found out it passed, he made a real ugly face.
"I think that is a very stupid move. I just don't think it fair that bunch of idiots sit up there and make a decision for this nation. It should have been voted on by the people."
Betty Jo Hare, who was siting across the table from Ms. Smith said she was surprised by the ruling. Ms. Smith, who said she didn't like any part of the plan, wasn't.
She said that she thinks most people thought it was a "stupid move."
"Have you read it?" asked David Crisp.
Ms. Smith said she had not, other than some pages on the Internet.
Sidney Webber said he had read "a lot" of the bill.
"Well, from what I read, it is socialism -- more and more every day," he said.
Most of those at the table said they had not spoken to anyone who likes the plan.
"All it is going to do is increase Medicaid because people are not going to be able to afford it," Ms. Hare said.
Opinions were divided as to which, if either, party would benefit from the decision.
"I think Obama will be back in office," Crisp said. "I don't know enough about it to talk about it. I have questions, but I am hoping for the best."
Crisp said he was sure the plan has its pros and cons.
"I did not vote for him and I am not going to vote for him, and when I go to vote, I am going to take a carload with me to vote against them," Ms. Smith said.
Restaurant owner Wilber Shirley who was walking by at the time said the media could write about the decision until 2096.
"But it ain't going to change because the highest court in the land has ruled," he said. "They made George Bush president and they didn't change that."
Max Best was the last to arrive, but wasn't wanting for comments.
"Why don't the people just bow down and be a servant," Best said. "It is absolutely ridiculous in a free society to tell somebody he has to buy something. That is pure socialism bordering on communism."
That was greeted by a chorus of "that's right" by others at the table.
Best said he does not think the decision will affect the election because, "we have crossed the 50 percent line."
"Fifty percent of the population votes themselves a lifestyle," he said. "The other 47 or 48 produce it for them. That can't work either."
Best said he was surprised in that he thought "we had enough sensible people" to keep it from happening.
"How do you mandate somebody to have something?" he said.
"You are mandated to pay taxes," Crisp said.
"The two don't correlate," Best said. "Never mind. You don't want to get me on it. Socialism hasn't worked anywhere in the world, but we can't wait to try it."
It is just another step closer to government telling people what to do, Ms. Hare said.
"It is the first step to socialism," she said. "That is exactly what is. Them telling you what kind of drink you can buy. I think the people, an issue that major, it should have been voted on by the people.
"They are telling you what drink you have to have and now they are telling you you have got to have health insurance. Next you know we will be told what we will have to order in Wilber's."