Gov. Mary Fallin called it "a bad day for Americans," noting that Oklahomans had approved a constitutional amendment to block implementation of the bill.
“Today’s decision highlights the importance of electing leaders who will work to repeal the federal health care law and replace it with meaningful reform focused on commonsense, market-based changes,” she said.
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe issued a news release railing that “Obamacare costs too much in the form of lost rights, lost jobs, higher taxes, and increased debt.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole echoed similar sentiments, but added that even if the law passes constitutional muster, it's still bad news.
"Regardless of its constitutionality, most Americans agree that Obamacare should be repealed,” he said.
State Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman wasn't even prepared to cede constitutionality.
“The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the president’s health care law is not only disappointing—but frankly, it makes no sense," said Bingman, presumably a constitutional law expert by virtue of his having earned a BBA in petroleum land management from the University of Oklahoma.
"Oklahomans simply do not believe it is constitutional for the government to force individuals to purchase a private product, period."
But leave it to a press-secretary type to provide the most vivid language. Such was the case with John Hart, spokesman for U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn.
“The Court affirmed Congress’ power to tax people if they don’t eat their broccoli,” Hart said. “Now it’s up to the American people to decide whether they will tolerate this obscene abuse of individual liberty.”
Like we said: Harumph!
