Things that work, things that are profitable, and beneficial to individuals and society as a whole, require no mandate.
I hijacked your quote - and of course, you knew it had to happen - I disagree. That MAY be true in a few insignificant cases, but in really big things it is a nonsense statement.
Examples - the mandates that made cars more efficient and cleaner operating along with the elimination of lead being put into the air around us.
Second would be the mandates that made it possible to stop the Cuyahoga river from catching on fire.
Third, the mandate that got the US off the gold standard.
None of the really big things that are profitable and hugely beneficial to individuals and society as a whole are EVER done (in this country) without mandate. Nice glib little Faux sound bite, though! Really stirs the juices in those who truly just don't understand....
And if one wants, we could go back much earlier to pursue the list of profitable and hugely beneficial mandates that let everyone participate in the American Dream rather than just a select few.... it's rather a long list....