Readers React: Boehner’s shamelessly political Obamacare lawsuit

To the editor: In criticizing House Speaker John A. Boehner’s (R-Ohio) plan to sue President Obama, The Times appears to find some merit in the Republicans’ claim that the president is stretching the limits of his power. (“House GOP, home of hyperbole and hyperpartisanship,” Editorial, July 20)

The president’s move to delay implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s mandate is provided as an example, despite a report in another part of the same paper that the act’s language is quoted as providing that the mandate will become effective “after Dec. 31, 2013.”

If the ACA doesn’t state an absolute date on which the mandate must be enforced, then it can be read to mean a reasonable time after the end of 2013, when the president determines that implementing the mandate will best serve its purpose.

Consequently, Boehner’s complaint that the president is violating his constitutional oath to enforce the laws faithfully can only be viewed as specious and motivated by politics and not concern for the sanctity of the Constitution.

Robert J. Switzer, West Hollywood