Some people need to be whipped into shape. The difference between a libertarian and a conservative is that the latter recognizes this fact.
Libertarians ignore the fact that people who are irresponsible in their personal affairs impose costs on the rest of us. Conservatives, however, recognize it, and hence they realize that sometimes it is necessary to punish personal irresponsibility.
Hence the need for laws against narcotics. Hence the need to mandate liability auto insurance. Hence the need for truancy laws. etc, etc, etc.
Mandating that poeple buy some minimum amount of personal PRIVATE health insurance is no different than any of the above.
And no, it's not socialist. If we were forcing people to buy it from the government, it would be socialist. But that's not what Romney did in Massachusetts. He's mandating people buy PRIVATE insurance.
This is no less socialist than mandates to buy private auto insurance.
Government control over the distribution of goods and services is definitely socialistic. It sure as hell is not freedom.
So says Fidel.
“Hence the need for laws against narcotics. Hence the need to mandate liability auto insurance. Hence the need for truancy laws. etc, etc, etc.”
Hence the need for laws against, fat people, stupid people, white people, bad thinking people, non-vegetarians, non-global-warming fanatics, etc.