If the laws were not available (for example, if the mandate had been overturned), something else would be used instead. Outrage is the product, the focus of that outrage is incidental.
I am trying to think of a time that negativity didn't reign supreme in American Politics and Government. IMO there are two news factions emerging. The miminal government- free market faction and the government control mandate faction. Members of both the Republican and Demcracts fall on both sides. In time I believe a new Tea Partyesque political party will emerge.