The Health Care Mandate has often been compared to social security and car insurance. It's not the same as either. Social Security is a tax paid into a non-profit PUBLIC system. Car insurance, while paid to private companies, is not a universal mandate but a legal requirement IF one owns and operates a motor vehicle. Theoretically, at least, one can avoid paying car insurance by using PUBLIC transportation.
Interpreting the interstate commerce section of the constitution to justify the mandate is really quite a reach. By the same premise, the government could mandate that you buy liquor. Or fuel oil in order to bring down the price for everyone, even if you heat your home with a wood stove or solar power.
As one who has recently moved to MA and will benefit from the state mandate I shouldn't complain. I'm not. Just pointing out that by blocking a PUBLIC option, the GOP has forced the Democrats into a bad corner - defending a necessary evil.
