What Mandate?

A new McClatchy poll shows that the mandate received by the Republicans may not be what they think it was. A majority of Americans either want the new health care plan retained or expanded and a substantial majority (2 to 1 in most cases) like some of its best known benefits, such as barring insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. One thing people don't like: the mandate that everyone must buy insurance. Of course, keeping the provisions people like and dumping the mandate would bankrupt insurance companies, who would no longer be able to spread their risk.

The survey also showed that most Americans side with the administration on extending the Bush era tax cuts--but not for earners making more than $250,000.

In other words, the only mandate the Republicans received was to fix the economy and their plan is to do nothing (except extend the tax cuts).