Wrong Metaphor

The argument against the individual insurance mandate is that it forces people into an act of commerce, and that is unconstitutional.

Everyone's favorite veggie, broccoli, somehow makes it into a metaphor for this: If the government can force us to buy insurance, can it also force us to buy broccoli?

The problem is that they are asking the wrong question and using the wrong metaphor. We are forcing people to buy insurance so that tax payers don't have to pay for uninsured people's health care. The metaphor is: should the government force you to buy your broccoli, or should the government force you to buy your broccoli and some for your lazy neighbors too, as is the case now.

Sadly, I think the current situation is constitutional, while the ideal situation is not.

I suppose an equally acceptable though highly repugnant solution that would retain constitutionality would make hospitals only treat people who show they can afford care. Everyone else can die in the street.

I'm sure that's what Jesus would do.