UPDATED: Poll: Is The Affordable Care Act Unconstitutional?

UPDATED: 10:05 a.m.

The U.S. Supreme Court today upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. The controversial act was signed by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. Although the law, (nicknamed "Obamacare" by many in Washington,) was not the universal health care many were expecting out of the administration, it does require individuals to purchase health insurance or face a fine.

The central issue considered by the Supreme Court was whether Congress' power to regulate commerce meant that it could mandate people to buy health insurance, The Atlantic reported.

The court could have ruled the mandate unconstitutional and thrown out part or all of the Affordable Care Act, the New York Times reported.

The Weekly Standard reported that the individual mandate goes beyond regulating commerce, and instead compels commerce by forcing individuals to purchase something.

The idea behind the mandate, as NPR reported, was that it would reduce health care costs by broadening the base of those paying premiums and by reducing costs associated with the uninsured who resort to seeking treatment in emergency rooms.

The Atlantic pointed out that although the act mandates health insurance for all, it provides the option for those under 30 to purchase bare-bones catastrophic insurance. The magazine also stated that the same option is available for those over 30 who show financial hardship.

The Atlantic stated that the provisions in the law to minimize the financial burden on individuals was effectively a "limiting principle" for the legislation.

We want to hear from folks in Burr Ridge about what they think about the Supreme Court's decision. What do you think about the Affordable Care Act itself? Were you in favor of it and why? Vote in our poll, and tell us what you think in the comments.