Why do some object to a health insurance mandate when we already pay Social Security and Medicare which have?

[Jules Winfield]

been Mandated for years?

And besides, having health insurance is the responsible thing to do if you can afford it.
And you will be able to, one way or the other.
Unless you are Mitt Romney who has no income and therefore on payroll taxes to pay.
But you are not Mitt Romney.

Having health insurance shows that you have personal initiative and are responsible.
And if you don't, we will see to it that you learn it.

[RJC]

Because it will be bankrupt just like social security and medicare, post office, amtrak, etc. etc.

[Excuse Me]

I am also against social secuirty and think it should be optional. Most of us could do much better by saving for our own retirements

[John E]

Gee, since both of those programs are awash with tales of integrity, thrift, and financial management with an enviable success record, I agree, let's add more.

For California liberals, that is called SARCASM.

[RMPA]

any opportunity to take a shot at Mitt huh? Wow liberals will stop at nothing.

[Stogieman]

Social Security has turned out to be an albatross and was designed to implode. Implosion will be in about 30 years. Obamacare is the same. I like Medicare.

[Paula]

Social Security and Medicare are paid by the individual to the US Government as a tax, and NOT by individual purchase payments to some unrelated 3rd party.

[Ted]

Why not force you to buy an Obama volt if you already pay to have a drivers license, you will help feed a poor ($29 hr) union worker, and save the presidency..err the environment at the same time.

[Ollicopter]

The first question the Supreme Court wanted answered was whether it was a tax or a penalty. The answer is a penalty if you look up the definition. Levying a tax to fund a program is an enumerated power for the congress in the constitution. In this case the penalty imposed is a fine not a tax. It isn't the fact that it is a mandate but the way it is mandated that makes in unconstitutional. These are not hard for people who can think to comprehend.

[flower]

Government could tax workers to pay for their own health insurance like they tax workers for SS and Medicare but the revenues would not cover the cost of health insurance. So it has to be separate from your payroll check deduction.