Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, the nationalized health care bill will soon go before the Supreme Court. [Page: H1501] The issue: Does the Federal Government have the constitutional authority to force Americans to buy government ordained and approved health insurance, or else? Or else face the wrath and punishment of government.

The government does not have the authority to force citizens to buy any product, whether it is health insurance, a car, or a box of doughnuts.

If the Supreme Court allows this government invasion of choice, what is next? Is the government, under the guise of it knows best, going to force citizens to buy only government approved green cars, only government houses, only government food? The health care individual mandate is a denial of liberty.

Yes, we need to fix health care, but does anyone really want to turn over the Nation's health care to the government? The government seldom does anything better.

If you like the compassion of the IRS, the efficiency of the post office, and the competency of FEMA, you will love the unconstitutional, nationalized health care bill.

And that's just the way it is. END