Business

Lib Host: That Whole ‘Individual Mandate’ Thing Totally Doesn’t Exist

Lib Host: That Whole Individual Mandate Thing Totally Doesnt ExistDuring a segment on MSNBC’s “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell,” the show’s host made a startling claim: the “individual mandate” in President Obama’s healthcare bill doesn’t really exist.

Wait — what? Seriously, O’Donnell argues that because the mandate has been so watered down, it’s practically nonexistent.

“The mythical individual mandate in President Obama’s healthcare law now threatens to get the entire bill ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. And it is a mythical mandate,” O’Donnell argues, “there is not a real mandate in the Affordable Care Act.”

So … what, exactly, have the Supreme Court justices been debating?

“It was watered down in the legislative language to virtually nothing,” O’Donnell said, “the mandate was weakened and weakened again and weakened some more because of outraged liberals angry at the notion that poor people who could not afford insurance would be ordered by the government to buy it and then sent to jail if they didn’t.”

“Liberals never liked the individual mandate,” O’Donnell continued. “It originated as a Republican idea. The first Republican to put it into legislative language was Senator John Chafee of Rhode Island who, in 1993, introduced a healthcare reform bill as an alternative to Hillary Clinton’s healthcare reform bill.”

While his timeline is accurate, his claim leaves much to be desired.

True, when President Bill Clinton proposed his healthcare bill in 1993, a handful of Senate Republicans countered with their own plan, one which replaced Clinton’s mandate requiring employers foot the bill with a mandate requiring individuals foot the bill.

Nineteen years later and Republicans totally oppose the idea. What gives?

“In 1993, in fighting HillaryCare, virtually every conservative saw the mandate as a less dangerous future than what Hillary was trying to do. The Heritage Foundation was a major advocate of it. After HillaryCare disappeared, it became more and more obvious that mandates have all sorts of problems built into them,” former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich explained during a December 2011 debate.

Seems reasonable.

But the bigger question for O’Donnell (and for everyone who cites The Heritage Foundation as the origin of the individual mandate) is this: Even if the mandate was concocted 19 years ago by a handful of Republican senators opposed to a mandate concocted by a group of Democrats, does that make it more or less constitutional? That is to say, neither the Supreme Court Justices nor the American people are interested in knowing who came up with what first. They just want to know if it’s legal.

(H/T: WZ)

Comments (65)

1 2
  • TenthAmendmentNetwork
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:31pm

    This could be the most accurate statement ever made on MSNBC. The individual mandate doesn’t exist because we are not obligated to adhere to unconstitutional laws.

    The analysis here:
    http://www.tenthamendment.net/home/universal-health-care-insurance-mandate-constitution.asp

    Report Post »  
    • cracker_
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:53pm

      Next they’ll say the republicans are for gun control, want larger government, and want higher taxes. They’re just counting on their viewers to be too stupid to know the truth. And, I‘m afraid they’re probably right about their viewers.

      Report Post » cracker_  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:58pm

      Breaking news…… (off topic)

      The CBC, on the Ed Show tonight, said they will walk out during the Contempt Vote tomorrow.

      That should be fun.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 1:51am

      Dang!!! Larry O’Donnell looks BAD…he has aged like a rotten grapefruit… What lyin‘ does to you ol’ Larry…u used to be a handsome dude…back in the West Wing Consultant days… Haven‘t really seen you since then because I don’t think I have MSNBC programmed on my remote. You really need
      to take better care of yourself.

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
  • AnAmerican111
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:39pm

    ODonnell= stupid is….stupid was!
    The moron has a comedy show on a cartoon network!

    Report Post »  
    • marine249
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:02pm

      you mean msnbc?

      Report Post »  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:17pm

      @marine
      No, I think he means PMSNBC.

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • db321
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:23pm

      Liberals are incredible. If they don’t like something, they say it doesn’t exist. If they don’t like someone, they demonize them. God did say, he who think himself to be wise, becomes a fool.

      Report Post » db321  
  • mikenleeds
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:35pm

    O’Donnell your a lying dog-faced liar , your just trying to back paddle because you know that obamacare is going to get shot down because it s illegal to start with

    Report Post » mikenleeds  
    • TurboCat
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 2:01am

      And why did his union buddies get a waiver? And are they the ones protesting this being overturned? Because IF they dare to protest what they got a waiver from, they need to be taught a lesson.

      Report Post »  
  • Psonaught
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:29pm

    Its not for the government to decide what is and is not allowed speech of the individual or media. Speech from the governments point of view MUST be allowed as free speech.

    But it is ours. To decide what we will as an individual and as a society allow and not allow. Not just our right but it is our responsibility not the governments to quiet the voices when they become too dishonest too damaging.

    We have far passed the point where the voices have become damaging, dangerous and dishonest in the media. Make it your goal your mission to do everything you can to quiet these words. To quench the dishonesty that rips this nation and world apart. Make it your goal that before the election to do your part in putting out of business at least one of the media outlets that promulgate this on us. Every dollar you cost newsweek, washington post, msnbc, new york times or any of the many others is a dollar that some will have to make up and not have to use on some other piece. Through advertiser boycotts, getting distribution to your library or dentist cut. Small things but you will make them afraid of losing what they value more than political zealotry, money. And they will change or disappear making room for a more honest media that has learned its lesson. And the world will be better for it.

    Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:50pm

      @Psonaught

      Just like “Air America”.

      Nice post. Thanks.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • ultor-de-deus-exercitus
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:24pm

    Nobel Prize winner Bertrand Russell wrote in The Impact of Science on Society (1952), “Diet, injections, and injunctions will combine, from a very early age, to produce the sort of character and the sort of beliefs that the authorities consider desirable, and any serious criticism of the powers that be will become psychologically imposable.” Russell, a member of the Fabian Society and prominent proponent of eugenics knew, even before 1952, that in laboratories of the powerful countries experiments to manipulate food sources and water sources were already under way. In 2012 companies like Monsanto backed with massive investments by Bill Gates, Rockefeller, and others produce globally the “Franken-food” consumed by the masses. Recent research clearly demonstrates that these genetically engineered food sources produce cancer, decreased sperm counts, and organ failure in mammals. Gates Sr. served on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood, and he serves on the Board of Directors of the Pacific Health Summit which is an annual invitation only event that convenes global leaders from science, industry, policy, academia, and public health to discuss how to create a “healthier” future? If a eugenicist like Russell deserves a Nobel Prize then I guess a Gates can pretend to care about a “healthier” future, but the question remains, “who’s future, ours or theirs?

    Report Post »  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:11pm

    What does he say about Mankind?
    Lets look at the word
    Its made of 2 parts
    Mank and ind
    What does mank mean?
    No know knows .
    what about ind?
    Its a mystery.
    Mankind doesn’t exist.

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
    • IndyNWguy
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 1:37am

      Too funny! I admit I had to read it a few times to get it… but man was it worth it!

      Report Post » IndyNWguy  
  • RabidPatriot
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:02pm

    He is sort of correct. If you are a special interest group, supporter of the President, in one of the exempt social classes or generally just have President Obama in your pocket, then the mandate, regulations, fees and taxes are mythical. For everyone else they are a crushing burden.

    Report Post » RabidPatriot  
  • Z
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:00pm

    Blah..Blah..Blah…

    Report Post » Z  
  • jadams9845
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:55pm

    Is anybody really worried about anything O’Donnell says? I’m not. He‘ll eventually end up as somebody’s b***h in prison anyway. I will personally escort him there and I cannot wait.

    The SHTF moment is almost upon us. Have you seen the military activities in St Louis? This is the only one you know about. There are many others and local law enforcement, fire fighters and military are freaked out about the training they are being required to complete.

    This is not conspiracy. Do you want the truth or not? Glenn and Mercury Radio are doing a good job, but they are not reporting the whole deal. Not because they are apart of it, but because it goes beyond what most people can handle.

    Glenn rejected Fox because they wanted him to play ball. I applaud him because he did not.

    Stop being self righteous, take your collective heads out of the sand and see the world for what it is, not the way that you want it to be.

    We ARE going to get this country back on track. Have no doubt about that.

    Like Thomas Jefferson, I have …“sworn upon the Alter of God eternal hostility to all forms of tyranny over the mind of man”….

    …choose the right side of history as Glenn often states. I chose it 10 yrs ago before you even knew who he was.

    Glenn is a good and decent man. I have my issues with him, but his heart is with God.

    Report Post »  
  • Magyar
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:53pm

    I’m still laughing–

    I always wonder if they realize how STUPID they appear when they make these idiotic statements!

    Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:57pm

      @Magyar

      The really sad part is that there are people who believe him. He probably got a bonus for that show yesterday. : (

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:50pm

    This GUY Totally Doesn’t Exist Either

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • clockwatcher
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:47pm

    The village idiots will be crying, claiming victory, jumping of of tall building ………..Anything but tell the truth that the black jimmy carter is finished in 145 days.

    Report Post » clockwatcher  
  • Deda1
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:39pm

    This idiot is a nut!

    Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:47pm

      @Deda1

      He’s well paid so he must be an expensive nut. Macadamia anyone?

      He thinks he‘s Academia but he’s really Macadamia. : )

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • scuba13
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:36pm

    So Bush isn’t good enough to blame anymore?

    Report Post » scuba13  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:44pm

      They are just laying off on Bush briefly. As Rush pointed out last week, 0bama has been such a failure that he has not been able to fix anything that Bush did. Another 0bama term will be nothing more than four more years of still not being able to fix what Bush did.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:35pm

    Hey Lawrence, listen to your Glorious POTUS before going on TV and lying.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFst7A5V6wk (turn speakers down first)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOaLLdpVzAs

    Did Joe Biden’s term “man (pause) date” mean he’s against men dating men?
    (It’s in the video)

    I can’t stop laughing………

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • 338lapua
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:31pm

    [posing as @encinom,monicne,sleazy hippo.....etc]
    You “people” are so ignorant! IF ONLY you were ENLIGHTENED like me, you woud join the collective and,you know, UNDERSTAND(snap snap). This,like,mandate…. is like…..you know.ITS INVISIBLE!
    Pink Dress Guy, Hippy Bongstocking, you know who you are ;0~

    Report Post »  
  • MDECKER
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:29pm

    Correct me if I’m wrong but, wasn‘t Sen John Chafee the guy who swithched parties during the Clinton Administration and wasn’t he also one we hoped would do so?

    Report Post »  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:23pm

    I always like Frazier, but when did Niles Crane become a nasty, grumpy, commentator?

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:40pm

      Hi RJJ,

      A Niles Crane with Irish jaws and fish eyes. LOL

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:47pm

      Hey Monk, Okay, I really did insult David Hyde Pierce for such a minuscule joke. I’ll have to do better the next time.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:14pm

      Hi RJJ,

      Every time I see O‘Donnell’s face it reminds me of a fish I caught as a young lad. I felt so sorry for it I let it go. Have no idea what is was but, it was ugly!

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:38pm

      Hey Monk, sounds like you had an encounter like some of those that Jeremy Wade has on River Monsters. I’ve seen some really butt ugly fish on that program. O’Donnell would fit in though.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • 338lapua
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:22pm

    ……yeah,yeah…..it was a republican idea…..yeah thats the ticket…..DOESN’T REALLY EXIST…..mmmm hmmmm.
    I got this swampland in death valley…….for sale,cheap.

    Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:21pm

    I saw that yesterday night. I almost fell out of my chair laughing.

    I liked the “the $100 fine can’t be collected at all so there is only a paper mandate” part. (Remembered from watching it live and not from the video here.

    Seeing it here for a second time… I’m LOL again.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • Quack Addict
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:20pm

    If you have 99% grape juice and 1% poison it will still kill you. No matter how ‘watered’ down it is the fact is it remains. What’s next, telling me I have to buy gas or groceries from certain businesses? Or God forbid, I would have to go to church on a certain day or pay a penalty!

    Report Post » Quack Addict  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:16pm

    So now Odonnell is smarter than the Supreme Court. I don’t think so, just look who he works for!

    Report Post »  
    • Shasta
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:40pm

      He should go on Jeopardy and prove how smart he his like Chrisy Mathews did. Wait, that didn’t work out so well for Chrisy, did it.

      Report Post » Shasta  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:14pm

    It sure ain’t gonna exist after tomorrow Larry :)

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:13pm

    Hopefully after tomorrow Obamacare won’t exist either.

    Report Post » MrButcher  
  • go2gym
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:12pm

    Larry’s lining things up for a mandate strike-down, so he can say nothing was struck down.

    Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:43pm

      Too bad about that pesky little non-severability clause. : )

      Report Post » The-Monk  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love