The concept of "individual freedom" is the single most powerful driver of public opinion in the USA. If you're a politician and you want to keep those private

The concept of "individual freedom" is the single most powerful driver of public opinion in the USA. If you're a politician and you want to keep those private insurance lobbying checks coming, all you have to do is tell your constituents that public healthcare would take away freedoms. Repeat for public transit, reducing the defense budget ("they're fighting for our freedom" is an extremely common refrain), offering even basic human care for migrants, etc, ad nauseum, etc.