It’s a government manufactured “crisis”. Same old story. Government intervenes in the marketplace, and screws things up. Declares a “crisis”, and swoops in.
Newt’s mandate WAS a different flavor from the Romney/Obama mandate, as livius pointed out.
But it WAS a mandate of sorts, and he is wise to have decided they are all unconstitutional.
Your point is crucial, too...a mandate is a government interference in the private marketplace, and like Ronald Reagan said, the most fearsome words in the English language are “I’m from the government and I’m here to help”.