Last Sunday, Robert Reich wrote a fine analysis of the 11th Circuit decision ruling that the "individual mandate" is unconstitutional:

"Had the President and the Democrats stuck to their guns during the health-care debate and insisted on Medicare for all, or at least a public option, they wouldn’t now be facing the possible unraveling of the new health care law."

He goes on to explain (as does the 11th Circuit decision) that had the mandate been funded by payroll taxes instead of a compulsory buy-in, there would be no question about its constitutionality.

Unfortunately Mr. Reich's analysis fails to point out why the President and Democrats did not "stick to their guns." Instead he offers the same liberal hand-wringing that is so common these days: "Chalk up another one for the GOP, outwitting and outflanking the President and the Democrats." The bumbling nice guys with their hearts in right place get screwed by the heartless, cunning corporate henchmen.

Hello, that's exactly what the Democrats want you to think. That way they can continue to serve the same corporate interests as Republicans and pretend otherwise.

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