Do not be fooled. The current versions of health-care reform are all about power and control -- period! No more evidence need be given than the absolute contempt Democratic lawmakers have exhibited toward the bastion of our liberties and freedoms: the Constitution.
Adherence to the Constitution made our nation a great republic. Failure to adhere to the Constitution has resulted in our country devolving into a democracy with all its perils and fallacies.
We the people, through ignorance and greed, have allowed the federal government to assume unprecedented unconstitutional power. Do we really expect nationally elected politicians of either party to willingly abdicate this unconstitutional power and return to true federalism? Moreover, do we expect unelected federal officials -- who write the majority of federal regulations and overwhelmingly have guaranteed lifetime employment -- to limit the power of their fiefdoms?
It defies logic to answer affirmatively to either question. Then why do freedom-loving Americans devote their energies almost exclusively toward reformation at the federal level? The election of 1994 illustrated conclusively that conservative passions by nationally elected politicians are fleeting, and are bound to the principles of the Constitution only as far as the next election.
Our republic can be rescued, but it will not occur at the federal level where constitutional fealty is diluted in the quagmire of Washington power and corruption. True federalism can be restored only by the states through inimitably more accountable state legislatures and governors.
It is a tactical and strategic error to march on Washington. Tea party demonstrations should be directed on every state capital. State legislatures must be made to uphold their oaths of office or face replacement.
The lack of public denunciation of federal actions -- by Ben Harbin, Lee Anderson, Bill Jackson and Sonny Perdue -- indicates that they are "leaders" who do not comprehend their oaths of office and the extremely influential role they have in the reformation of our republic.
Perhaps it is time for some local change we can believe in.
Dale Schmacht, M.D., Ph.D
Evans
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
It's not an "either or" situation, Dale. The states are still very much controlled by the federal government. The changes need to come at both levels. EVERY federal congressman/senator with over 12 years service needs to be voted out of office, THEN the same thing needs to happen at the state level. Only after this takes place can government be shrunk to a manageable size. This is a daunting task that the American people aren't interested in undertaking or organized to attempt.
All these bright suggestions from the folks that got us INTO this mess
jb, someone needs to explain when you're supposed to parrot what. Even being a good follower needs some coaching.(apparently)
People always imagine things were better long ago, in a galaxy far far away. I see nothing wrong with the author's suggestion that people become more active in politically, but romanticizing this or that political view or enterprise is narrow minded and possibly even foolish. Everything evolves and everything dies. A fondness for the past may delay this but it can never stop it. Deal, Dale.
So often "giving up" is called evolving. Too often it is.
We all need to be concerned with what is about to take place if the newest Govt. takeover of our health care occurs. You will begin to see more providers (Drs. and specialists) either leave their practice or start moving towards self pay. Working in a Drs. office myself, I am already watching many people's insurance coverage change from a copay to having a deductible. That is where it is starting and where it finishes will be an eyeopening experience for those who supported this reform.
"A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have!" Thomas Jefferson
I assure you that Bill Jackson is for smaller government and less taxes. I know him personally. All those who know him know this, and he doesn't have to grandstand with a public denouncement about the takeover of the federal government in all areas of our lives. The refomaton of our republic will come from the grassroots level on those elected to federal goverment positions - our US Senators and Representatives. There is nothing a state legislator can do to stop the madness we see and experience now from the Obama Administration and the Democratic Congress.
Oh, like the other party was so much about freedom and liberties? Like Health Care could not be about the fact that many people do not have health care and that it is so expensive that even those that can barely afford it do so by not being able to pay other bills, thus losing homes, etc?
"devolving into a democracy???"
For a physician, I have to wonder what planet you're from. Or is this still a struggling Confederacy?
I think my elected official should not be held to term limits. Ypu think my elected official should be held to term limits. Will Soloman please rise and make a decision, Chel, I am still waiting to see my first plumber that used to be a doctor but left the practice for the more lucrative plumbing salary. Get real. If the docs and med facilities were covered by anti-trust laws we wouldn't have the problems we have and maybe these institutions would advertise their prices. As it is they all charge the same prices because. They aren't LLC's for nothing.
I almost forgot. My doctor is the best in Augusta and I doubt he will be leaving the practice anytime soon.
yes jc, devolve into a democracy. We are a representatve republic, obviously you failed Civics.
representative, before you all say i failed spelling!
democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch, liberty is a well armed sheep. ben franklin
u r ignorant disssman. docs and hospitals r covered by anti trust. the insurance companies are not.
jc, Medicine heals doubts as well as disease....Democracy is the way to socialism. Two quotes from Karl Marx that go a long way toward explaining Dr. Schmacht's perspective. Are the parts starting to come together yet? The Jim Jones worshipers didn't recognize where he was leading them until it was too late.
MadSnap, we are a representative republic. Do you understand the definition of devolve?
As for LLC's, you have huge malpractice settlements to thank for that. An LLC is a limited liability corporation for people- it doesn't have to be doctors- to set up a corporation, but avoid the personal responsibilty that the corporate officers have when a corporation gets sued. It's not about price fixing and anti-trusts, it's about liability.
Cliff has it right--vote them all out the next two cycles!!
@dissman: Your response was just too funny! You really should read your response before you hit the "post" button! LOL