Among the many problems with the argument that the mandate provision of the ACA is unconstitutional is the fact that nothing in their past practices suggests that Republicans actually believe them. Not only did nobody notice this allegedly unprecedented violation of individual liberty when Republican proposed a health care mandate, as far as I can tell many conservative Republicans still support mandates when it comes to replacing Social Security with individual accounts. In a great catch by Simon Lazurus, we have another great example in Paul Ryan's plan to destroy Medicare:
Like this Ryancare tax incentive, the "individual mandate" section of the ACA, which the White House calls the "individual responsibility" provision, constitutes a pay-or-play option. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, when the ACA provision takes effect, individuals who do not qualify for exemption on hardship or other specified grounds, must either carry health insurance or pay a tax penalty as part of their annual income tax filing.
So which is it -- do Republicans support violating the Constitution, or can we concede that these arguments are unserious?
