The more things change, the more they stay the same. Thirteen years ago, then-First Lady Hillary Clinton proposed universal health care for all Americans (later referred to as HillaryCare) with accompanying ID cards which ultimately became a significant contributory factor in election results that produced Republican majorities in both Houses of Congress for the first time in forty years. Apparently, she has learned nothing from the consequences of that election as Senator Clinton stated earlier today while campaigning in Iowa, “We’re going to have universal health care when I’m president  there’s no doubt about that. We’re going to get it done.”
As Lee Corso would say – Not so fast my friend.
It has become increasingly obvious that Americans are rejecting a welfare state model, where the rich are literally subsidizing the poor. New Deal legislation is soo last century and we have seen time and time again politicians make promises that rely on increasing taxes getting soundly defeated in elections. Look at Walter Mondale and his 49-1 landslide in 1984 for such an example. This is the same reason that Senator John Edwards has no chance in a general election should he win the Democratic nomination; his plans to provide health care to poor Americans rely on raising taxes. At least Edwards has the guts to admit what he would do. Clinton would rather do what she and her husband have always done and perfected: avoiding speaking plainly (see her recent statements about gays in the military for one of many examples of this style of parsing and spin).
Of course this country needs health care reform and it would an ideal scenario if we were all able to afford it or have it guaranteed by insurers, but thanks to awful Republican fiscal policies, we have an emormous federal budget deficit. Health care for the uninsured won’t pay for itself and you can take it to the bank that a majority of the voters will reject what will eventually be needed for this to happen – raising taxes for all Americans.
The current VA Health System debacle is simply the best example of what those of us in health care have known all along about the government’s ability to provide these services.
Have yourself a read of a classic piece of fiction on the subject of socialized medicine: “The Final Diagnosis”, by Frank G.
Slaughter, M.D>
A hard-hitting post by Joshua Rosenstock.
Refreshing from the beltway spin.
Msg. Feb. 12, 2007; “The Healthy Americans Act�
http://deadmessenger.wordpress.com/2007/02/12/msg-feb-12-2007-the-healthy-americans-act/
DM: Thank you for the legislative reference. I have since read the details of “The Healthy Americans Act”. I find it a sensible construct.
Government track records, be they municipal, state or federal,with respect to administering programs is so poor, that I shudder at the thought of any such shared participation.
Molehills become mountains rendered unscalable due to barriers of “redtape” on an unimaginable level.
I reflect on the avalanche of HIPAA legislation. The orginal intent of the legislation, compared to what has has evolved to be is a classic example of government’s ability to ruin a good idea.
The KISS princple must apply. Anything less, and the people’s interest will never be served. With any input from government, that cannot be attained.
How right you are, DAD! And, may we refer to the federal government’s typicaly costly and punishing burecratic “input”/output as the “KISS OFF” principal?
The appropriate term for the description of the typical needlessly micromanaged,overinflated and complex infrastructure and operation of any governmental agency or program be it local, state or federal is the classic and well worn “SNAFU”!
“Situation Normal….!” Right again, DAD.
I’m not sure why but this weblog is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
Inforamtion is power and now I’m a !@#$ing dictator.