That which is mandated must be provided

[ThomWV]

If they want to recommend we buy insurance then they can subsidize it, but if they mandate we have insurance then they dam sure well better be prepared to provide it.

[Deja Q]

1. Logical. Because it is also logical that someone who cannot afford it,

can also not be able to afford the funky fresh thirty eight hundred dollar fine...

[kelly1mm]

2. Like they do with mandated car insurance? Or federal "unfunded

mandates" to the states? My point is they can and will do whatever they (or their campaign sponsors) want.

[ThomWV]

3. Driving is a privilege, existance is not.

[kelly1mm]

4. Agree - my point I was trying to make was that they will do what they

want no matter what it costs the poor/middle class. Even my other example, the incorrectly titled "unfunded mandates" is not in the strictest sense "mandatory". The state could say FU to the feds on speed limits or drinking age and not take the billions of $ of federal highway funds that are tied to that. Not trying to sidetrack your thread - sorry!

[anigbrowl]

5. Well, actually they can't (do whatever they want)

I am pretty sure that if a law with mandates passes, it'll be the subject of a constitutional challenge as a form of capitation (a poll tax). I cannot see how the government can require that anyone must enter into a financial contract just by virtue of their existing and frankly I am surprised that the mandate idea has any traction at all. It's doomed, and it's politically foolish.

[kelly1mm]

6. Great catch - I am slipping majorly! I withdraw my above comments. Sorry. nt

[anigbrowl]

10. Oh I'm not saying you're wrong. It's just my opinion about the constitutionality.

I hope I'm right but it's my belief rather than a fact.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

7. unfortunately...the states get hammered with mandates all the time

and then are told to come up with the funding to meet them...the federal gov't does not care...they will not provide it and you will have to pay...

sP

[FLyellowdog]

8. Didn't No Child Left Behind come under this type of underfunding? n/t

[Better Today]

9. Not exactly, if I understand correctly,

public schools already get federal funding so what happened was that the rules changed in order to continue to receive the funding. What they failed to do was provide specific funding for NCLB, but instead expected schools to adjust expenditures or raise their own funding for this particular requirement.

It would have been un-funded mandate (like the idea being discussed here regarding mandatory health insurance, if the feds were making requirements with no funding to public school systems.

[st8grad93]

11. Now you know how governors feel ...

when the feds come along with some policy, force it on the states and don't fund it (NCLB anyone ?).

This is par for the course.