Individual Mandate: Republicans Were for It Before They Were Against It. In Fact, It Was Their Idea
In the Republican presidential debate Tuesday night, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich acknowledged, apparently in an unguarded moment, that a core element of "ObamaCare," the requirement that all Americans be enrolled in either a private or public health insurance plan, was a proposal originated by the Heritage Foundation, a powerful conservative think tank.
Gingrich made the admission as he was denying former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's accusation that the former Republican leader was once a supporter of the mandate.
I'm sure the other presidential hopefuls on the stage in Las Vegas were holding their breath, praying they would not be asked why they all are now so staunchly opposed to the very notion of such a mandate, which several GOP attorneys general are even alleging in various lawsuits violates the U.S. Constitution. As a result of those lawsuits, the Supreme Court is likely to rule next year on the constitutionality of the mandate and the entire reform law.
The candidates' prayers were answered. Not one of them was asked why an idea conceived more than two decades ago by several conservative economists and favored by Republican lawmakers is a horrible idea now.
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Poster Comment:
LOL Short, selective memories must be the number one hallmark of being a conservative.
