Texas Gov. Perry (R): "Take This Law (ACA of 2010) -- And Shove It!"

Forbes has an excellent opinion piece on this -- so I'll quote a little -- but do go read it all, right here.

I am often mystified by the ways politicians have, of doing things in Texas, in particular -- but I wasn't aware that it had renounced the authority of the United States Supreme Court -- until this afternoon:

. . . .Perry’s letter to the HHS Secretary further highlights his complete disdain for the ruling of the United States Supreme Court by pointing out that the law is in “direct contradiction to our Constitution” —a real brain teaser when the Supreme Court has ruled that the law is, indeed, constitutional.

Apparently, a law is only constitutional when Rick Perry says it is constitutional, leaving us to wonder why we even bother with our third branch of government when we should simply be sending these constitutional questions down to Austin for resolution.

It’s hard to know which of Perry’s positions is the more offensive.

I have to confess that I never thought I would see the day when the highest elected official of one of our most populous states would stand before those who look to him for leadership and announce that a ruling by the highest court of the land just doesn’t count simply because the governor doesn’t agree with what the majority of Justices had to say.

Of course, Perry is not alone in his willingness to put extremist politics before the rule of law.

Governors such as Jindal of Louisiana, Haley of South Carolina and McDonnell of Virginia have been right there with Perry in setting an example for the youth of their respective states—an example instructing that the law only matters when a government official chooses to agree with it.

What I wouldn’t pay to be a fly on the wall when one of these governor’s kids get their first speeding ticket and explain to their parent how “it’s all good” given the teenager’s conscientious objection to speeding laws as an unacceptable impingement upon their liberty. . . .

Given that for the first few years, the federal fisc funds 95 percent of the Medicaid expansion -- and thereafter, funds 90 percent of it -- I think I am most offended that Gov. Perry won't accept MY federal taxpayer funds (I don't live in Texas) to help the 6.2 million Texans (my fellow Americans) struggling without any form of health insurance -- in his, um. . . jerkwater state. That is a crime, Mr. Perry. A crime against your own citizens' humanity.

UPDATED | 07.09.12 | 9 PM EDT
Here are the responses of some real -- and educated -- Texans (as quoted by Reuters, tonight):

. . . .Anne Dunkelberg, associate director of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, an Austin group that advocates for low- and middle-income Texans, said the Medicaid expansion would extend health coverage to as many as 2 million uninsured Texans.

"Failing to expand Medicaid would squander the opportunity to pump tens of billions of dollars into our state economy and leave as many as 1.5 to 2 million of struggling Texans out in the cold without insurance coverage," she said in a statement.

Texas Democratic Party spokeswoman Rebecca Acuna called Perry's decision on Medicaid "cruel and negligent."

"Rick Perry's Texas solution is to let Texans stay ill and uninsured," Acuna said in a statement. . . .

Astonishing.