The idea of an individual mandate originated from the ranks of the Republican Party, possibly based on a similar suggestion from the conservative Heritage Foundation.
But once Obama seized on that idea, the reich-wing of American politics has distorted and lied about the broader policy that came to be known as ACA.
The vitriol of the right has been successful in convincing most Americans that the ACA is bad by using terms like "government takeover of healthcare", "death squads", "mandatory health insurance", etc.
But when those being polled are asked more specific questions like, "Do you favor protections for those with pre-existing conditions"?, "Do you favor allowing parents to keep their children on their policies until age 26"?, "Do you favor requiring insurance companies to spend the majority of their turnover providing medical benefits?", the majority answer yes in overwhelming numbers, even among conservative Republicans.
The President and his supporters have allowed the right to dominate the "conversation" about ACA to their own demise. They should have embarked on a no-holds barred informational campaign after the bill was enacted to counter the mis-information from the right.
I am repeatedly challenged by those on the right that say that health care is not a "right". To that I say, "bull", because we all realize there is no enumerated right in the Bill of Rights to food, water or shelter but we have recognized that we don't allow our fellow citizens to starve. Our track record on shelter and clothing is a bit more mixed. But the Declaration of Independence talks about "Life" (Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness). By my count, "life" requires adequate and safe food, adequate and safe water, adequate and appropriate clothing and shelter AND health care. What part of this do the monkeys on the right not understand?
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