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Critical Condition

NRO’s health-care blog.


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Romney: Individual Mandate = “What I Believe Is Right”

In his much-heralded health-care address in Michigan today, former Massachusetts governor (and Republican presidential hopeful) Mitt Romney made news by offering . . . absolutely nothing new.

Rather than admit that Romneycare was a mistake, Romney once again defended the individual mandate he imposed in Massachusetts, calling it “what I believe is right for Massachusetts.” Why? Because Massachusetts had a free-rider problem. Never mind that all states have a free-rider problem. (So why is it not the solution for other states, too?)  Never mind the indications that Massachusetts’ free-rider problem is getting worse not better, under Romneycare. His defense of his individual mandate was indistinguishable from those delivered by countless Obamacare zombies.

It’s almost as if Mandate Mitt is keeping the hypocrisy alive because he’s afraid no one will pay attention to him once it’s gone. The only novelty I saw was when he admitted that Romneycare has become a political liability. Not enough of one, evidently. So here we go again:

 

New on Critical Condition. . .


COMMENTS   7

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   05/12/11 16:23

Can't wait to see the 'debate' between Romney and Obama over whose version of 'Bureaucracy-care' sucks the least. Well, actually, I can wait. Hopefully, Obama will have to defend his Obomination against someone who believes in a less-regulated, free-market approach that allows for individual choice.

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landoftroz
   05/12/11 17:07

I keep thinking Mitt is an oil slick in a Hugo Boss suit.

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JavierGarcia
   05/12/11 17:25

Mitt Makes Right. (Not.)

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Doug Marks
   05/12/11 18:56

Are you all so stuck in your template (you're all saying the same thing, by the way--it's getting tiresome) that you can't take an honest look at what he proposed? I think if you took some time to listen to the speech and look at his actual plan, you would see that what he proposed is exactly what we need: Repeal Obamacare and let market forces bring prices down, whether those market forces are between insurance companies, individuals, or states.

Mitt's speech was passionate, articulate, and clearly the best explanation of why market forces are the best cure for our healthcare problems. Give him a chance and listen to the speech! I would love to see him go after Obama in a debate with the points he made today.

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Doug Marks
   05/12/11 19:00

Why would you expect something new? Just because it would make better writing material for you? Let's get real for a minute--the principles Mitt talked about today are timeless. The market will cure our healthcare problems. I haven't heard anybody articulate that fact the way Mitt did today, for about 30 minutes. You should really watch the speech.

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   05/12/11 23:29

Ouch! Obamacare Czar!

However, an even bigger "OUCH" comes from the MANY taxpayers in Massachusetts who are suffering from our horrible economy and cannot afford to pay for health insurance...soooooooooo, they end up being fined $2,000 because they haven't the money to begin with! And when they can't come up with the $2k, what's next?

Just ask the MA taxpayers how much they enjoy being told by their state government that THEY MUST pay several thousand dollars a year to meet the mandated coverage standards - while EVERY ILLEGAL who has a headache calls 9-1-1 for an ambulance ride to the ER where they are treated at NO COST TO THEM!

MA taxpayers are being taken for a ride - we MUST buy insurance and MUST pay taxes that end up covering the living and medical costs of ILLEGALS!

So...the old "crime doesn't pay" isn't applicable when it comes to ENTERING OUR COUNTRY ILLEGALLY! Come on in...we'll give you free medical care, EBT cards, public housing, welfare checks...Come on in - we'll just soak the taxpayers...you have nothing to worry about!

This is one millstone that can't be tossed aside, Governor. Time to find a new interest - hopefully NOT as a member of the Obama cabinet!

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   05/13/11 23:29

I liked Mitt Romney, but I can no longer support him after this speech. As a Republican governor with veto-proof Dem majorities in both houses of the Mass legislature, Mr Romney committed a rear-guard action against a far worse bill than what Romneycare ultimately became.

This could be his golden apple. He should disavow the final product outright, declare it a failure and call for a full repeal of O-Care. That he fails to do so shows that his heart just isn't in the right place, nor in the Right place.

Practicing medicine in Massachusetts was supposed to get EASIER under Romneycare. It hasn't. Being a patient in Massachusetts was supposed to get better under Romneycare. It hasn't. Buying health insurance in Massachusetts was supposed to be less dear under Romneycare. It isn't.

Please, fellow conservatives, let's do all we can to end Mr Romney's campaign before he becomes the next McCain. Mitt's a good guy but his moment has passed. He blew it, and we can't allow him to be the next sacrificial lamb.

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