The way I see the individual mandate

[Swede Atlanta]

6. Tony, you are correct that we enshrine social values in our tax system....

Conventional wisdom is we like

(a) Families with children
(b) People that buy property
(c) People that buy certain types of vehicles
(d) People that buy certain products (e.g. energy saver appliances, windows, etc.)

These are all things we reward by tax deductions.

I for one believe that we are a point on this planet where having children, as much of a blessing and wonder it is, is probably bordering on immoral. Don't get me wrong, I love children and fully support families that want to have children but we cannot support the population we have. We lack adequate food, water, shelter, jobs, opportunity for the ones we have. Reproducing is, objectively, a questionable decision from a practical perspective.

So our decision to tax people that choose not to have health insurance is another social value in our tax system. While deductions apply when you have affirmatively done something (like pro-create or buy a home), the penalty applies to something you have not done. I really don't see the difference.