[mogadsheu]

I don’t think most people would consider adding a personal finance course to a public school curriculum a mandate.

Those young adults will still have every right to be financially irresponsible.

[kube-system]

The part that makes it a mandate is the law that requires it.

[mbg721]

I thought the part that made it a "mandate" was that it was outside the legislative branch of government.

[jldugger]

Perhaps you are thinking of the phrase "unfunded mandate" which basically when the legislation tells the administration to do something, but fails to allocate funds to do it. Still a law though.

And colloquially, "mandate" often means 'the authority to enact a policy, due to an election.'

[mbg721]

If it were a law, we'd usually just call it a law. "Mandate" is recent code for "the police will still arrest you for not doing it, but you can't find it written down anywhere."

[jldugger]

So, I'm not seeing that on in the dictionary. You sure this isn't just a you thing?