First, the news and a sample of how it’s being covered … below is my take on why it’s important.
In Florida, voters will decide this fall whether to ban health insurance mandates, including those required by the federal health care overhaul.
The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature voted on Thursday to place a constitutional amendment on the Nov. ballot that would ban any laws that compel someone to “participate in any health care system.”
Republican legislators said the amendment was needed to block an attack on freedom and individual rights by Congress.
Democrats said the debate echoed the battle over states’ rights when the federal government ordered school integration and said the amendment could not trump federal law.
Sixty percent of voters must approve the amendment in order for it take effect.
Excerpted from NYT: Florida: Health Overhaul on November Ballot, April 22, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/us/23brfs-HEALTHOVERHA_BRF.html
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Ken’s Take: I think the pundits are missing the point on this one.
Whether the constitutional amendment passes or not is largely irrelevant.
An important part of the the Bush / Rove election strategy in 2000 was to get wedge issues on ballots — gay marriage bans. The intent: to draw social conservatives to the polls.
Well, ObamaCare is still opposed by a majority of the electorate — and, many in that majority are passionate about the issue.
So, if ObamaCare shows up on the November ballot, it’ll draw right-leaning voters.
Watch for more of these issues to make their way to the Nov. ballots.
Whether the specific proposals win or lose is irrelevant — it’s all about turnout.
The Homa Files 