Obama-"Nobody" Considers Health Mandate a Tax Hike; Really?
by Jeffrey A. Miron
President Obama argued on TV talk shows this weekend that his proposed mandate for everyone to buy health insurance – or face a large financial penalty – is not a tax increase:
In a testy exchange on ABC’s “This Week,” broadcast Sunday, Obama rejected the assertion that forcing people to obtain coverage would violate his campaign pledge against raising taxes on middle-class Americans.
“For us to say you have to take responsibility to get health insurance is absolutely not a tax increase,” Obama said in response to persistent questioning, later adding: “Nobody considers that a tax increase.”
Well, I consider it a tax increase, so I guess that makes me nobody.
The real question is whether this tax increase is a good idea. My answer is no. If others disagree, then fine, let’s have that debate. But denying plain truths suggests that advocates of Obamacare are trying to pass something that Americans would not endorse if it were structured and explained clearly.
Watch:
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He's really good at saying what he wants you and the media to believe. I totally agree, it is the same as a tax increase. One more freedom he wants to do away with, no surprise. If we could afford insurance we wouldn't need his help at all. Between the healthcare bill, the cap and trade bill and already increased groceries, I don't know how any of us are going to survive his term, especially the poor!
simply denying an obvious truth, where this guy continues to be oblivious to what is popularly understood to be a tax.
He may be well-educated, intelligent, and all that--but he's an empty suit, capable of eliciting inspiration to the disaffected--but unable to lead. Period.
The general population is waking up to that characteristic, I think--look at the count of the 'Independents' pollsters show are increasingly dissatisfied with him.
gun control: the belief that a woman raped and strangled with her own hose is morally superior to one who defends herself with a firearm.