Things are getting hot in the upper left hand corner of the map

I think that one can fairly deduce from my postings that I am in favor of the recently passed and signed health care reform act. Today our state Attorney General joined a lawsuit to have the law declared unconstitutional. Our Governor was P.O.'d.

One of the contentions the critics make about the new law is that it forces citizens to purchase health insurance and that has never been done. I won't talk about car insurance because that is a state, not a federal requirement. However, I would just like to point out the following:

“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America, in Congress assembled….That every citizen, so enrolled and notified,
shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient
bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein,
to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his
musket or firelock,
each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball; or with a good
rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and powder-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of
his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder; ”

From the Militia Act of 1792, signed into law by George Washington.

Talking Points Memo, a blog I enjoy for its in depth look at national politics without a lot of the vitriol one finds on many political blogs these days, whether left or right, consulted with a number of legal experts and most of them, including the conservative scholars, thought that this lawsuit will fail. That discussion is found here. And Governor Gregoire has on her legal team Narda Pierce, one of the best attorneys I've ever had the pleasure to meet and work with. And Narda Pierce says that that the state AGOs lawsuit is without merit.

I just hope that the Supreme Court doesn't go all Bush v. Gore on us again. It could.