Topic: Politics
Politics As Usual Health Care sheds light on already accepted doctrineby Thomas Locke
(libertarian)
Monday, August 3, 2009
House speaker Nancy Pelosi gave her minions (the House democrats) a tiny little note card that they are to "never leave home without." The note card is essentially, as politico.com put it, "a personalized cheat sheet to help Democratic members tell their constituents what they'll gain fromhealth carereform." Even more humorously, the GOP strategy is to simply "ram it down their throats." The logic is that since most Americans hate this health care reform bill, you might as well take the fight straight to the democrats. I've put the article in the link above.
The point in mentioning the article is that it sheds light on something I've been noticing for a while now. Some call it "politics as usual", I call it greedy politicians trying to dupe the American people. Apparently duping the American people isn't very hard, considering they do it every election. I'm not exactly agreeing with Bill Maher or anything, but he isn't exactly wrong either. What I mean to say is, not only do the Democrats NOT have an answer for our failing health care system, neither do Republicans. I have not heard once from Michael Steele on what exactly THEIR plan is. I could be misinformed and if I am, please enlighten me.
History has shown that a free market model of health care works the best. According to Ron Paul, in his book The Revolution: A Manifesto, we had a system like that as early as the 1950's! What went wrong? Well, increased government bureaucracy, which in turn raised prices, which led to more government interference, which led to...well you get my point.
Both parties appear out of touch and slowly fading away. This health care issue is also shedding light on that as well. What I'm seeing now is a Democratic party in way over their head, and a Republican party trying not to get rubbed out as the primary party for economic and individual freedom. The Libertarian party seems to be growing strong, but who knows when they'll hit their stride.
The next time I go to vote, and I don't expect anyone else to follow my example, I vote independent. Voting Republican OR Democrat is just setting yourself up to get duped for the umpteenth time. I would rather support someone I completely disagree with, but who has convictions on his beliefs, then some typical partisan politician. Of course the exception to the rule is someone with fascist or neo-nazi beliefs. In that case, I would stay home on Election day.
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 3 thumbs so far
The views expressed in this
article are those of Thomas Locke only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Thomas Locke is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
There have been a couple Republican reform proposals, actually. What they lack, though, is a concerted front, or a countermeasure, if you will, to rally the troops behind. It's becoming quite the theme of them in the Age of Obama.
One of the Republican reform proposals, while very moderate, would nevertheless be a good start. I believe it was McCain who pitched it as far back as the election cycle. It's called the Patient's Choice Act, but alas, it was only proposed back in May and it's already doomed.
Among the ideas was to tax employer coverage and then refund families and individuals the difference. Then, co-ops, an idea that seems to have lost steam early on, would be founded by various communities to collectively negotiate bulk insurance for those in the neighborhood.
I'm not sure why an idea like that requires government assistance if it's such a novel idea, though - perhaps it's because of all the legal barriers stacked in the way of a legitimate nonprofit's operation.
Nevertheless, the best step we can take now is to allow inter-state competition and tax HSA's in order to unhinge employer coverage. Unsurprisingly, this will not only fiercely generate efficiency, but level the playing field between small businesses and corporations.
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2009-08-04 07:31:01
Hi Thomas,
It really makes no difference how you vote. By the time the election day comes around, all the choices have been made. The most effective political participation any individual can engage in is during the candidate selection process and the party primary elections. Once those are over, party affiliation is moot.
I'll probably vote for some independents or 3rd party and some GOP candidates too, but way before the next election, starting right after the previous election, I'll be shining light on candidate's anti-liberty positions and working to ensure the electable candidates, those affiliated with GOP or Democratic parties, have been exposed to and challenged to uphold my conservative principles at every step of their candidacy.
Political parties are merely tools that individuals can use to promote their principles in their local community. Learning how to use them most effectively seems to be lost on a vast majority of Americans who are addicted to the immediate gratification of their personal emotional needs and justification for their self-imposed futility and self-marginalizing political choices.
Unfortunately Jake I do not live in Pennsylvania. I have relatives up there and I'll find out if they live in your district. However if I lived in your district, I would be first in line at the polls. =]
Want to comment on this
article? Leave your comment here. Your email address is
required to track your comment. However, we will neither
publish your email address nor distribute it to other
organizations or persons. The only reason we might use
it would be if we needed to contact you regarding your
comment. All comments are subject to our
terms of use policy.
