Durbin: Mandate? What mandates?
posted at 1:38 pm on September 2, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Senator Dick Durbin appeared on local Chicago television last night for a town-hall forum on health care — and wound up looking completely ignorant of the debate. Two constituents wanted to know whether Durbin supported the individual mandates contained in HR3200, and Durbin pleaded ignorance. Worse, when asked whether he would oppose individual mandates in a Senate bill, Durbin refused to provide an answer:
It’s a darned good thing this didn’t get rushed through Congress, like Barack Obama and the Democratic leadership in both chambers of Congress wanted, isn’t it? After six months, Durbin can’t even declare his position on one of the biggest issues within the debate. He’s the #2 person in the Senate Democratic caucus, and he acts as though he’s never heard of an individual mandate.
In a way, though, Durbin did give his answer. He has no problem with them. Durbin just needs to see how they’re written into the bill to give his approval. If he had a problem with mandates, he would reject the idea out of hand — which is exactly what he should have done here.
The questioner, by the way, does an excellent job of shooting down the car-insurance argument. Mandates for car insurance are linked to car registration and licensing drivers by the states, both of which are voluntary choices by citizens to use public roads. A federal mandate for health insurance is something else entirely, and the constituent does a good job of explaining that.
Blowback
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Liberals on this very site say that forcing people to buy insurance is a proper function of government.
lorien1973 on September 2, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Car insurance also mainly protects other drivers from you.
tommuck on September 2, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Durbin: Mandate? Oh, right, Obama brought me flowers and we went to dinner and out to see a movie. What happened afterward is my own business – I don’t kiss and tell.
Daggett on September 2, 2009 at 1:44 PM
DICK Durbin- Finally, truth in advertising!
Shmuck.
Battlecruiser-operational on September 2, 2009 at 1:44 PM
So if we knock out Reid in 2010, we get this for a Dem leader.
WashJeff on September 2, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Durbin is a joke. That said – the people of Illinois will continue to send him back to D.C. as long as he wants to be there.
alilianstrom on September 2, 2009 at 1:45 PM
AND, it ought to be added, to use public roads in that manner. There’s no insurance or licensing requirements in order to use the roads if one chooses to ride a bicycle.
Dusty on September 2, 2009 at 1:45 PM
where the (D) stands for Dumbass.
search4truth on September 2, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Mandates are legal, constitutional and necessary. If you reform the system to allow people to insure themselves despite pre-existing conditions, then there is incentive for people to put off buying insurance until they already have a chronic condition, gaming the system and (horrors) hurting insurance industry profits.
Of course, if we just nationalized the system this wouldn’t be a problem, but that’s too rational for America.
Bleeds Blue on September 2, 2009 at 1:45 PM
This guy is a real Durbin, isn’t he?
UltimateBob on September 2, 2009 at 1:47 PM
CLUELESS IN ILLINOIS. He along with his congressional rep’s should take a at least read the Constitution and be famniliar with it’s contents.
rjoco1 on September 2, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Durbin. A hollow, petty man who proves with each wag of his tongue the validity of Murphy’s Law.
TXUS on September 2, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Here’s an idea: Why don’t you go and read the US Constitution, and come back here to comment after you find where it says that our government is authorized to nationalize our healthcare system.
Until then, STFU, durbin-head.
UltimateBob on September 2, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Wow. Both of those mob guys who questioned him were so angry and loud; they were practically foaming at the mouth. /s
yogi41 on September 2, 2009 at 1:49 PM
We are left the choices that these guys are all either liars, or incompetent…hmmmm….not much of a choice. Not much of a change either.
percysunshine on September 2, 2009 at 1:49 PM
I’m loving this informed citizenry. Awesome.
jimmy2shoes on September 2, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Dick Durbin thought mandates were those things Barney Frank and his gay lover were arranging from Barneys Washington, DC townhouse.
TrickyDick on September 2, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Just trashed the keyboard…
JusDreamin on September 2, 2009 at 1:50 PM
From now on, I think I’ll use the words DICK and DURBIN interchangably (see my last couple of comments above).
UltimateBob on September 2, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Thugs from Chicago donn’t need to know nuttin as long as the Machine is behind them.
Welcome to the new Nation’s Capitol: Chicago DC.
“Run by the people who Run Obama”
SayNo2-O on September 2, 2009 at 1:50 PM
No, sir, they are not.
jimmy2shoes on September 2, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Addendum: They could be incompetent liars.
percysunshine on September 2, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Please point me to the Article and Section or amendment in the constitution that provides for mandating individuals to purchase something.
WashJeff on September 2, 2009 at 1:52 PM
I know what you mean, no problems. Government running something that currently takes up one sixth of our economy will cure anything, and we can be assured that it will be as fiscally sound as Social Security and Medicare. Utopia awaits.
LevStrauss on September 2, 2009 at 1:52 PM
ding ding ding!
Durbin is a tool….
cmsinaz on September 2, 2009 at 1:52 PM
At least they are individual man dates, and not group ones.
WashJeff on September 2, 2009 at 1:53 PM
*shudder*
cmsinaz on September 2, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Not always true, but I get your point. A lot of local jurisdictions require bicycle registration and payment of a fee, much like registering a dog. When I lived in MN, I got a ticket for riding on (what I thought was) a public bike path.
First time I got pulled over on a bicycle. The “Cop” was irritated that I wasn’t taking the whole episode seriously. Cost me $20, IIRC.
BobMbx on September 2, 2009 at 1:53 PM
FIFY
dmh0667 on September 2, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Yeah. What a durbin-head. Or a durbin-bite.
UltimateBob on September 2, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Hey, that would be great for home owners insurance, too. That way if my house catches on fire, my first call would be to set up insurance. Then I call the fire department.
iurockhead on September 2, 2009 at 1:54 PM
But of course. It makes total sense that the government – which can’t even perform its existing functions very well – takes over 1/7 of the economy.
It’s obvious. And rational.
lorien1973 on September 2, 2009 at 1:54 PM
The people of Illinois will continue to send him back to D.C. as long as he wants to be there.
alilianstrom on September 2, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Correct. We will. I apologize to all citizens of the other 49 states. (or should I have said 56?)
If I were the #2 man in the Senate and someone asked me about a key provision in one of the most important bills of the year, and if I had not heard of that provision, I would be embarrassed and ashamed. Durbin appears to operate differently.
jwolf on September 2, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Where does it say it isn’t?
The health care system isn’t sacrosanct. There’s nothing in the Constitution that says that the government can nationalize the interstate highway system, either, but it did.
Do it as a tax then.
Bleeds Blue on September 2, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Hey if nationalizing healthcare is good for the people, how about nationalizing:
1. Automobile manufacturers (cars are too expensive!)
2. Drug manufacturers (drugs are too expensive!)
3. Farmers (food is too expensive!)
4. Clothing manufacturers (clothes are too expensive!)
5. Construction firms (houses are too expensive!)
This is fun! Look at all the free things I can get from the government! Why, I may never have to work again! Woo-hoo!
Andy in Agoura Hills on September 2, 2009 at 1:57 PM
This is why Obama wants control of the internet. The bane of con-men is an informed public.
- The Cat
MirCat on September 2, 2009 at 1:58 PM
If you don’t get car insurance you can’t drive.
So what is the penalty for not getting health insurance? Death?
kurtzz3 on September 2, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I’m starting to think this individual bleeds blue owing to severe oxygen deprevation. Low 02 to the brain can to that to one’s thought processes.
iurockhead on September 2, 2009 at 1:59 PM
alilianstrom on September 2, 2009 at 1:45 PM
—–
Durbin is not as strong in Illinois as y’all may think – we’re not all Chicagoans, eh?
No Obama on the ballot in 2010 will mean lower turnout in the city. Durbin almost lost to woefully underfunded Jim Durkin a couple years ago.
A properly funded, socially moderate candidate, armed with all Durbin’s foot-in-mouth statements, should be able to win.
Mew
acat on September 2, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Dick the Weenie, Dickhead Dick, Turban Durbin, Richard the Limp-Schwanzed. Frankly, he’s all we deserve in this God-forsaken state of chaos. Our retarded and corrupt Democrat voters only have one standard: he’s not presently under indictment.
Jaibones on September 2, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Bleeds Blue on September 2, 2009 at 1:56 PM
—–
What right do you have to take my money and give it to someone else?
Mew
acat on September 2, 2009 at 2:01 PM
That’s a whole lot of stupid right there.
lorien1973 on September 2, 2009 at 2:01 PM
OK, so this is pretty much bare-knuckles advocacy of socialism. Do you deny that? You do realize that EVERY SINGLE community that has set itself up along socialist lines no longer exists, right? And, that EVERY SINGLE socialist community claimed it was “rational”. Hell, they even called it “scientific socialism” back in the day before that became laughable (although, not to you apparently).
So, isn’t true “rationalism” to avoid something that has failed in every instance? And please don’t refer to Europe. That whole continent is a dead man walking.
venividivici on September 2, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Do it as a tax then.
Bleeds Blue on September 2, 2009 at 1:56 PM
whats to stop the gubmint from controlling our entire lives,whats next after health care? what you eat? who you marry?where you work,where will it all end? you say that would never happen…bullshit!!!it will….
SHARPTOOTH on September 2, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Its amazing to me how readily libs are to trade their precious freedoms for what amounts to nothing more than a handful of beans.
We’ve already lost so much of what our founders fought for that they would be astounded that a free people would so easily let slip such hard won freedoms, but we do.
Federal mandates like this are nothing more than a license to control every facet of an individual’s life.
“We Mandate that you buy health insurance. We Mandate that your carbon footprint be reduced. We Mandate that you consume no more than 1800 calories a day. We Mandate that you spend at least 2 hours per day watching the government television station. We Mandate that you burn all non-government approved books. We Mandate that you sacrifice your life for the good of the State . . . ”
What a scary future we face.
Fatal on September 2, 2009 at 2:02 PM
He’s just more honest than most in saying that government needs to tell us how to live our lives. Whether we like it or not.
lorien1973 on September 2, 2009 at 2:02 PM
The 10th amendment and the fact the powers of the federal government are enumerated.
There was not national highway system until the interstate highway act pushed by Ike. Ike wanted these highways after he saw how quick the Germans could move man and machine around the country with its highways. Interstate highways were created with defense of the country in mind.
The fed should not provide funds for ANY roads below the interstate highway system. James Madison would concur with me (might even advocate not funding the interstate highways).
So if it is done with a tax it is legal. Let’s create a tax for the establishing a search and seizure force that can enter your house whenever it pleases.
WashJeff on September 2, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Car insurance doesn’t cover the gas and the oil changes and the tires (though you can now buy plans to do that).
The best thing about the individual mandate is that it could lead to debtor’s prisons. Can’t afford health insurance? Then you’ll have to pay a fine! Can’t afford the fine? Well, we’ll take you to court. Still won’t pay? That’s contempt – why don’t you sit in jail and think about how you’re hurting the nation by not buying health insurance.
hawksruleva on September 2, 2009 at 2:02 PM
So…Are you for euthanasia also? I’m not implying it’s in this or any other incarnation they’ll come with….
Just curious …want to know the mindset .
jerrytbg on September 2, 2009 at 2:03 PM
He doesn’t. But he thinks he has the power. The Left worships Power as if it were a Greek god.
venividivici on September 2, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Just another “small” example of why they need to stay the hell out of health care: I just called the state for a sticker to ride the national forest this labor day weekend. All current stickers expired on 8/31/2009, new stickers did not go on sale from the state until 9/1/2010 with a 15 day delivery.. see a problem with one of the biggest holiday weekends coming up and no stickers? they are nice there, but this just goes to show that they are incompetent and should not be allowed near health care or the environment!
rgranger on September 2, 2009 at 2:03 PM
I like how the Bob Barker microphone guy trys the snarky “like auto insurance?” ploy, and gets shut down by the citizen.
Vashta.Nerada on September 2, 2009 at 2:03 PM
I think it should be taken to the next logical step, don’t you? Government should just give us all cards that let us buy what they think we need – and in what quantities. Why let people make any decisions for themselves?
lorien1973 on September 2, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Amendment 10 – Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Once again, try reading the Constitution. It is a grant of limited power to the federal government, not a free for all.
rbj on September 2, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Yes, but listen to the crowd. I think most of them think the analogy was appropriate.
lorien1973 on September 2, 2009 at 2:05 PM
You forgot some:
We mandate that you have only 1 child.
We mandate that anyone can vote, even if they’re not a citizen, or they’re deceased, or they’re a Disney character.
We mandate that your children go to inferior schools.
We mandate that all people live in equality – of misery.
hawksruleva on September 2, 2009 at 2:06 PM
BleedsBlue 1:56
Amendment X.
Unlike the rules for the citizens and the States, if it’s not explicitly permitted, then the federal government cannot do it.
Troll Feeder on September 2, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Never heard of the Tenth Amendment, I see.
Vashta.Nerada on September 2, 2009 at 2:06 PM
In the final clip of the show he reminded the viewers to get their politcians spade and nuetered.
WashJeff on September 2, 2009 at 2:06 PM
the green lizard got him beat
bluegrass on September 2, 2009 at 2:06 PM
lorien1973 on September 2, 2009 at 2:01 PM
—–
National highway system was put through as a “Fed pays, states build” deal.
Want to put through Chappaquiddiccare the same way, fine. We’ll have the whole “states rights” debate all over again.
Mew
acat on September 2, 2009 at 2:06 PM
The whole ‘lack of health insurance causing almost two-thirds of bankruptcies has been exposed as a blatant lie.
It’s only people who are already in trouble from maxing out their credit cards and 2nd mortgages who are dinged by a medical emergency.
Durbin is the King of Douchebags, and belongs in prison rather than the Sentate
Janos Hunyadi on September 2, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Explains the vote for Lizard People.
WashJeff on September 2, 2009 at 2:08 PM
He doesn’t. But he thinks he has the power. The Left worships Power as if it were a Greek god.
venividivici on September 2, 2009 at 2:03 PM
—-
Aztec god. Human sacrifices. Lots of them.
Mew
acat on September 2, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Don’t all IL politicians?
WashJeff on September 2, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Now imagine if that park was owned by a small business who maintained the trails, kept the underbrush clear, and added a nice set of restrooms in the parking area. Sure, he might charge you to use the park. But aren’t you already paying for the sticker? AND paying taxes for the park?
hawksruleva on September 2, 2009 at 2:09 PM
True, they aren’t even as sophisticated as the Greeks, so a more primitive analogy is more appropriate.
venividivici on September 2, 2009 at 2:10 PM
But then who would fill Teddy’s Senate seat?
hawksruleva on September 2, 2009 at 2:10 PM
The interstate system, as I understand it, is part of the national defense of this country. I forget how it works, exactly, but I think every mile in 10 has to be a straight line so it could be used as a makeshift landing/takeoff space if necessary.
It’s hardly even a proper analogy. But it is federally funded. But it’s also covered under the constitution in several places (national defense and post roads)
lorien1973 on September 2, 2009 at 2:11 PM
I wonder if this meeting was as staged as Hoyer’s, with over 80% of the attendees bussed in, though. The response of “You can’t force a six year-old girl to buy auto insurance” was a good riposte.
Vashta.Nerada on September 2, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Read the constitution? That would take two lawyers and we only have very little time to save the country from itself with universal healthcare!-John “Douchebag” Conyers
NathanG on September 2, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Yeah that was a quick effective retort. Pretty proud he thought that one up so quick.
lorien1973 on September 2, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Come on, dude. A system which is bankrupting every nation in which it is currently implemented, is not rational. The arguments for nationalizing the health care system are all emotion based. You know it. We know it. Stop pretending otherwise.
BadgerHawk on September 2, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Durbin is not as strong in Illinois as y’all may think – we’re not all Chicagoans, eh?
No Obama on the ballot in 2010 will mean lower turnout in the city. Durbin almost lost to woefully underfunded Jim Durkin a couple years ago.
A properly funded, socially moderate candidate, armed with all Durbin’s foot-in-mouth statements, should be able to win.
Mew
acat on September 2, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Durbin was just reelected last year and won’t be up for election again until 2014. We’re stuck with him, like it or not. As for the Durbin-Durkin race, many voters (guess which party?) were confused by the similarity in names. I wish it were not so, but I am certain that Durbin has a lifetime position in the US Senate if he wants it.
jwolf on September 2, 2009 at 2:14 PM
That is what the Democrat’s health care plan comes down to.
Tonus on September 2, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Nice shooting WashJeff, you got her.
We are in a depression, with the Government broke for as far as the eye can see and small businesses failing left and right and you want to mandate additional TAXES? What happened to Barry’s promises of no new taxes?
GunRunner on September 2, 2009 at 2:15 PM
And at least that’s the sort of project Uncle Sam has some proficiency at, or at least did. Massive projects like putting a man on the moon, or developing the a-bomb, or war, are roles in which a national government can succeed.
Individualized service like health care? Not only is it not constitutional, and oppressive, the federal government just isn’t very good at it.
If Medicare reimbursements continue to lag costs, how long before the government has to build hospitals for the poor?
hawksruleva on September 2, 2009 at 2:16 PM
The Tea Parties of August have proved, you don’t have to be too bright to be a congressional clunker.
tarpon on September 2, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Nancy Pelosi under the other hand calls it straight.
Cracks me up!
kahall on September 2, 2009 at 2:16 PM
The ridiculousness of this comment speaks for itself — I only pause to note it.
I would almost believe that you are deliberately trying to make the left look bad.
Count to 10 on September 2, 2009 at 2:17 PM
It’s also encouraged by the current tax advantage that employer provided insurance has and the lack of competition across state lines. Lose your job, more expensive to keep your insurance or replace it.
aikidoka on September 2, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Every day it gets more embarrassing to be from Illinois. What’s really funny though is the fact that we’re fast becoming citizens of The United States Of Illinois. Well, maybe not as funny as sad, mortifying and debilitating.
Griz on September 2, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Well said Bleeds Blue. This is exactly what we all need: more government in our lives. Personally, I’m sick of having to rely upon myself for my own well being and, like you, long for the federal government to take control of my selfish, self-centered life.
Rod on September 2, 2009 at 2:18 PM
You could add the 13th Amendment with the 10th.
Tom
marinetbryant on September 2, 2009 at 2:19 PM
all Demo Illinois politicians, with maybe a rare exception here and there. Illinois Republicans belong in a Home for the Perpetually Confused & Disorganized
remember Ryan? Disaster on Wheels: He’s got ’7 of 9′ and he’s scrounging around looking for something else to shtupp
Janos Hunyadi on September 2, 2009 at 2:19 PM
“He’s the #2 person in the Senate Democratic caucus, and he acts as though he’s never heard of an individual mandate.”
Hell, Durbin probably isn’t even aware that there’s a national debate going on about health care.
GarandFan on September 2, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Dick Durbin. What a sham. Wow.
ziggyville on September 2, 2009 at 2:19 PM
I am going to need a Dr if you keep posting this crap. You should be embarrassed.
kahall on September 2, 2009 at 2:20 PM
The convoy that he was a part tried to travel from coast to coast with about 80 vehicles. It took them 62 days. The interstate system was designed with a Japenese invasion of San Fransisco in mind, thinking that two months was way too long for an enemy force to gain a foothold.
BadgerHawk on September 2, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Ah yes…good memory…And near large cities some of the straight line had to be concrete…wouldn’t melt…
jerrytbg on September 2, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Ok smarty, how’s it gonna bankrupt anything when it’s ‘FREE‘?!?!? Haven’t you been paying attention??
It’s all Freeeeeeeeeeee…..
BigWyo on September 2, 2009 at 2:20 PM
even IF we get stuck with ObamaCare….it sure has been fun exposing the Democratic Liberal Leadership as Clueless liars who talk out both side of their mouth and are clearly dumb as a box of rocks…..
SDarchitect on September 2, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Mandatory car insurance has worked out great here. My rates have increased 50% and I have to carry uninsured motorists insurance to the tune of $360/yr in case someone with no insurance hits me. WTF ?
Government get out of our personal business.
Wade on September 2, 2009 at 2:22 PM
No and no, so all that’s left to argue is the last. Why are they necessary? Where are all these examples of uninsured people dying without care?
The pre-existing conditions argument is an extreme case, and as usual, is also wrong. You can get insurance for existing conditions. It just costs more. Here’s some info on insurance for people with cancer.
What’s a better option – paying all of your money for a policy that keeps you alive? Or having a government plan that decides you’re no longer worth chemo, because you retired?
hawksruleva on September 2, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Ryan was not trying to bag some other women to my knowledge. He just want to do some kinky stuff with his wife 7 of 9. If he was a Kennedy, he would have been applauded and Rolling Stone would have done an exposee on where he went and what he did.
WashJeff on September 2, 2009 at 2:23 PM
If you want government health care, move to Massachusetts. Don’t fuck up the entire system for the rest of us simply because you’re an idiot.
Besides, Mass would be a win win for you. You get your government health care AND they allow gay marriage. I’m sure that’s right up your alley.
xblade on September 2, 2009 at 2:23 PM
What is wrong with self- insuring? Those who have chosen to self-insure,and have the means to do so, have elected to bear all of the financial risk themselves, instead of transferring that risk in exchange for paying a premium.
ICBM on September 2, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Of course, if our Founders had wanted to create a super-state they would have fashioned a national Constitution and not a federal one. SOcial issues are state-level issues, not federal ones. You can’t just nationalize anything you like. Our government was built with specific limits to preclude just this sort of idiotic idea. But, we all know that law doesn’t enter into the thinking of empathy-mongers who prefer the Rule of Man. You people are throwbacks.
progressoverpeace on September 2, 2009 at 2:24 PM
I hope I got the nesting of the quotes below correct. If not, please be kind! :-)
The 10th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States:
Nothing in the constitution delegates this authority to the federal government.
If you think the constitution does give the federal government this power please provides quotes of the constitution and/or the relevant amendment(s).
clarsen13 on September 2, 2009 at 2:24 PM
This is how these libs all think now. The Constitution doesn’t cover it, so that means you can do it. They do exactly the same thing with the bills. They specifically exclude language about “abortion” and “illegal immigrants” from the bills so they can cover them.
LibTired on September 2, 2009 at 2:25 PM
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