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SouthernBeale commented on the blog post The Weird “Liberal” Obsession with Defending the Individual Mandate
Well, I’m a liberal and I certainly am not defending it. The only way, legally, it seems to make sense is if the government offers a public option. So the Dems screwed themselves by capitulating on that one.
However, I believe you are wrong on the religious opt-out. You write: Clearly the government is admitting there are groups of people that will choose not to take part in the health insurance market for religious reasons.
Actually, this is targeted to clergy members, not members of a congregation. Members of the clergy are already allowed to opt out of paying Social Security and Medicare taxes should they choose, so the clause just maintains existing tax law. Clergy members have to file a statement of conscience form with the IRS and yes, you are correct that they are opting out because of religious objections to government welfare. In so doing they are refusing ALL government assistance: Pell grants, FEMA disaster assistance, food stamps, etc. You can read more about it here.
I often wonder how many pastors and religious leaders actually do this, however.
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SouthernBeale commented on the blog post Investigate the TSA, Not Tyner
You know what will solve this problem? When people stop flying. When the airlines start feeling this in their P&L reports, then they’ll exert the only pressure which matters anymore: the corporate kind. Sad but true.
