So ObamaCare IS a Tax?

Sen. Merkley (D-OR) tells us that the authority to force purchase of health-insurance lies in Article 1, Section 8:

"The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States."

He apparently thinks ObamaCare is 'general welfare.' It's a theory which has eluded every other MC and Senator asked the same question to date--and that question has been asked since HillaryCare was proposed.

OK. It's his theory.

But it's not a duty, nor an impost, nor an excise.

So it's a tax.

Gee. That's never been mentioned so far. I wonder why?