The late Sen. Ted Kennedy hoped that health care would become a fundamental right for all Americans. Today, this hope is accompanied by an irrational fear and superstition of every action taken by the president. Examining our health care system through the prism of hope and fear might clarify why the credulous obstructionists are confused.
First, those with no insurance use the emergency room when illness strikes. They have no hope of health care insurance and fear they will be turned away. Second, those with health care insurance qualified for the coverage because they are healthy and have no previously existing medical conditions. These lucky Americans pay large premiums and deductibles of 20 percent on any medical bill. These Americans hope they never have to use this insurance coverage, but fear a catastrophic medical condition that will send them into bankruptcy.
Insurance companies hope their customers never get sick but fear they will have to pay 80 percent of the medical bill. The insured stand to lose their life and fortune while the insurance companies stand to lose their profit margin for the year (because next year those who filed claims will be dropped). Insurance companies can declare bankruptcy to avoid paying any medical bills, and then they can go around the corner to open another company under a different name.
The health care industry is a monopolistic market structure and needs to be regulated like all monopolies in our capitalistic economy. The public option will require higher taxes for all and will provide health care as a fundamental right for all Americans. There are no free lunches.
Some politicians desire to sacrifice health care reform on the cross of a political strategy demonizing our new, young president. To paraphrase Spinoza: When hope and fear struggle for mastery in the human mind, it is easily swayed by superstition. Hope continues.
Larry Jarrett
Warrenville, S.C.
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The constitution of the USA does not guarantee citizens the right to housing, food, tax credits or health care. Of course we should take care of those who CAN NOT take care of theirselves but we absolutely should not take care of any able bodied american. The government is already taking as much or more that 50% of every dollar earned from hard working Americans through federal taxes, state taxes, local taxes, property taxes, gas taxes, special product taxes, sales taxes, etc. It is the government job to provide us with national security, infrastructure, education, public safety and commisions to ensure our safety in select areas. Beyond that, we are capable of taking care of ourselves and keeping what we earn in order to put in back into the economy the way we choose to include charitable organizations for the less fortunate. However, for the government to further reach into our pockets and take from those who work to give to those who don't is deplorable. Lets start with fixing many of the problems and wasteful spending in government already. Ask any Vetran if he/she would prefer a VA hospital or a private hospital and you will know why we don't need govt. health care.
The public option will require higher taxes for all and will provide health care as a fundamental right for all Americans. There are no free lunches. THERE IS NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE!!!!! Yes Mr. Jarrett lets find more rights in the constitution so we can take from the producers and creators and fund those that won't do for themselves and keep the Democrat's little sheeple platation running. Mr. Jerrat we are broke broke broke. Even if we wanted to we can't. Obumbler's budget is 2 trillion dollars over projected deficit. Let's add another trillion and tax the so called rich again. Maybe we should take some of the earned income tax credit (democratic give away of our money) to fund it! Shouldn't every body pull an oar if only a small oar!
Larry, you have every right to healthcare. You do not have the right to have the taxpayers fund it. Next you'll be claiming a right to wealth because of it goes with "the pursuit of happiness." Oh that's right, Odumba believes that too. He calls it "the redistribution of wealth."
1. This veteran has been totally satisfied with his health care at the Charlie Norwood facility over the last 24 years. By the by I really did earn that benefit and I am proactive in my own health allthough I will treat myself to a good greasy hamburger from the Sportsman Bar and grill on occasion. 2. It's rather obvious that our fearmongers on the right are not familiar with the clause in the Constitution "to promote the general welfare". 3. I did not notice this level of hate the last time a president tried to reform health care in 1991. Of course that was a white president. Not saying just observing. 4. The American people really missed the boat when Nixon tried reforming health care back in 1974 and the Democrats got greedy. The funny thing about that attempt was that Nixon's plan would have far outreached the plan now offered by congress(not Obama).
why is it that people do not want to pay for their own health care?yet most americans have all the latest eletronic gadgets that come out. they think nothing of having cable service, eating out ,etc most americans if they just showed some discipline and budgeted their money could afford some type of insurance. then we could fiqure out how to truly help the needy which is a very small percentage. but it is not the govt role to give you a cradle to grave worry free life nor mine.. govt doesnt make wealth it consumes and confiscate it from responsible taxpayers. when does this me 'mentality' the idea of getting something for nothing end? the govt has taken trillions of dollars for the war on proverty from the taxpayer. where is the success? but most important where is a simple thank you from those who have recieved this money? when you grow up i will be glad to help you but not b/4.
Health care is not a natural right, it is a limited resource.
Can anyone tell me why hussein deserves such BLIND loyalty?What has he done that merits worship?
Do you think ole Larry has any insurance. I think not. I wonder what life choices Larry and others like him have made to be in a position to depend on someone else for his health care. I guess it's a right to own a home, car, etc. Why doesn't the gubment just give anyone anything they want and see if that makes the Libs happy.
health care starts with the decisions we make everyday. what do we eat? where does the food we eat come from? what do we put into/onto our bodies? what is the quality of air we breathe? what type of lifestyle do we choose? should we remain sedentary or become active? the choice is ours and it is THE public option. we the public have the option of accepting the responsibility to take care of ourselves. a little preventative maintenance spending now will save a lot in the long term.
to PROMOTE the general welfare, not run it.
The public option proposal would be a self-sustaining program. Citizens would pay premiums just as a private health insurance plan. However, the public option would have no overhead expenses such as a CEO, making million dollar salaries or advertising expenses. And, yes, those under the poverty level of income would get subsidized, but how is that different than the republican plan to give tax credits? Giving tax credits is using taxpayer dollars too. I don't understand the republican obsession to protect private insurers who contribute absolutely nothing toward health care, except to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and the unbounded ability to drop a person who develops a health problem.
Hey retired, go back and read the tenth amendment of the Constitution you quote.
teharper, a self substaning program? What, kind of like SS and Medicare? $53 Trillion in unfunded debt and growing? Please.
So who's up for getting rid of social security and medicare? When a republican congressman is put up against the wall, they backtrack and won't come out to get rid of either program. When medical costs are stabilized and lowered, that should solve the problem, along with reining in fraud and abuse of the system. (I don't know the solution, there are experts who can do that) In regard to SS; lifting the annual cap would enable SS to continue. (And that would hit my own family's income, but we don't mind, it would be helping our fellow citizens)
TEHARPER428 i agree somthing needs to be done for pre existing conditions-BUT you dont buy car insurance after you had an accident and expect the company to pay for it. and you dont buy car insurance for oil changes and tune ups. people expect too much and are willing to pay for everything but good health. some how its a right in their eyes. the reason we prefer tax credits and the free market approach is 1-we dont trust the govt 2- they screw everything up 3-if you are allowed to save money by shopping well and keeping fit then most pepole will do it. just like buying car insurance we look for the best deal for our needs and our wants. .
Republicans were up for a choice of social security or private investment. Liberals want a "choice" except when it gives the money back to hard working Americans. In other words, anything that produces less control of our money by the government. If illegal aliens and citizens of other countries were not allowed to participate in or receive social security it would be in a lot better shape. But the entitlement crowd "borrows" money from it and also gives it to those it was never intended for.
The government is by no means perfect, but I'd say overall we have some pretty awesome programs, such as our national defense (military), interstate transportation system, FAA, USDA, NOAA, FDIC, national parks and forests. In addition, through our federal government to state governments we have fire and safety protection and the public school system.
You are right we have some pretty awesome programs. Unfortunately the one's that disperse benefits and checks to citizens are all screwed up and they won't do any better as a health insurance company for millions of more Americans on top of Medicare.
our military is 2nd to none. one of the few programs that our founding fathers believed to be the rsponsibility of the federal govt. however the actually running and procurement is full of fraud and waste. if one had time to goe over each awesome program you listed and address the waste and mismanagement in each program it would take to long. govt is not awesome its the freedom from govt intrusion that is awesome and what has made us great.
How is this really an issue? Our government has a history of doing whatever it chooses with our money while we write letters to the editor. Less than 50% of us even vote. Are you ready for something we can all agree on? Like College foot ball. GO DAWGS!!!
Healthcare is NOT a fundamental right. Even EATING is not a fundamental right. The ONLY fundamental right in this country is the RIGHT to have the FREEDOM to WORK and EARN and if you do that you also have the RIGHT to buy food and healthcare. There is nothing in our so wisely written Constitution that says you have the right to eat or the right to healthcare. The Constitution gives you the right to pursue those things but not a right to have them.
No we can't give up SS and medicare now. Too many people have poured money into the black hole over the yrs. But, we should learn from it. Good money after bad is not the answer.
teharper428 on Fri Sep 4, 2009 9:45 AM THe FDIC is going bankrupt and the Federal Government spends all the SS money that comes in. Most of the programs promote the general welfare not run it, The government doesn't run an Airline, market beef, control the selling of over coats and umbrelles etc. WE have the FDA, verious state agencies etc to regulate health care and insurance already!
TEHARPER, you must be kidding? You list FDIC and our public school system as successes? First of all, if economic predictions are correct, 150 more banks will fail in this country within the next year before real improvement. According to Sheila Bair, FDIC chairman, if that happens, the FDIC is in "real trouble." Our schools? The US ranked 20th in international math competitions, far below countries that spend much less on education such as South Korea, Switzerland, and Japan. Yeah, sounds like a real success story to me. Take this along with the deficits that SS and Medicare are running, and your argument to let government run anything is shot to Hell!
Retired Army, I enjoyed reading your sensible comments. Our free enterprise system preserves our individual right (and duty) to make our own way in life. Unfortunately, it has no answer for those who do indeed fail, and this is the point that defines who you are. Do you destroy these people's lives by forcing on them the uttermost consequences of their actions? Or do you destroy their lives by floating them in a cloud of irresponsibility?
Medicare and SS are good solid programs by original design. The problem is our elected officials are not good stewards of the money. They use it for other than it's intended purpose. See the lawmakers change the laws to play games with the money to fund their other projects. If all Medicare money went to Medicare and all SS money went to SS we would be fine. The interest and the money coming in would be more than enough.
Once again I feel the need to the perception by many that Medicare and Medicaid are the same. Medicare is paid for by the individuals who are insured by that program. Medicaid is not directly paid for by the individuals who have chosen that program, usually because of being indigent. Both programs are often abused.
Health care is not a right! Freedom from government inserting themselves in our lives IS! People are not going without healthcare we are a society that is very giving and takes care of others. IF you truly need help there will be those out there that will we do not need the government to do it. They mess up way too much already. The schools and the postal service are too extreme examples of what we allow them to touch and what they do to it.
Precisely why I don't want them involved in my health care, concerned.
Why do libs think it is their right to take (steal) from some to give to others (that have made bad choices or just choose to not pay for their own ins)? Also look what 'to promote' means.