What I have failed to see in this discussion is any mention of the constitution. The responsibilities and rights that are awarded to the federal government are outlined rather specifically, and that is being trampled upon. The truth of the matter is, this nation is not a democracy but a constitutional republic. If it were a democracy, only what the majority of voters wanted would happen and there would be no need for an electoral college.
I have seen the argument a few times about other govt. agencies and how they are funded by via the fed via tax revenue. It is true that Medicaid and Medicare as well as the VA provide health benefits through this means. What is also clear is that although the quality of care via the VA is considered by most to be sufficient, the beauracracy and lengthy wait times to see anyone other than a general physician is mind blowing. As for Medicaid and Medicare, both of these systems are nearly bankrupt. When they completely go under, the financial system we have in place now will do well to survive. Alot of the reason for this is the abuses that take place by patients as well as physicians and the fear in almost every politician to bring up the need for reform. Basically, we are standing back waiting for the trainwreck to happen.
Make no mistake however, Medicaid and Medicare are socialistic systems. And they provide the evidence of where that leads. Without limiting care, raising taxes, assisting in (or forcing) the euthenasia of seniors, or actually forcing individuals to use the system as a temporary last resort (and thereby alienating voters) it is destined to fail. It has proven to us within our own borders that entitlement programs do not improve the drive and motivation of citizens, it kills it.
As for govt regulation, it is already in place. Regulations, laws and restrictions have led to many of the problems in the healthcare industry. Just as in real estate, whenever the govt takes a very active role things tumble soon thereafter. Insurance agencies claim that fraud and physician fees are what costs them the most. We know that fraud can be investigated, and it is when economically feasible. With the fees doctors/providers/hospitals charge, there is only so much that can be done and still keep the quality of physicians we have. The 2 doctors I know on a personal level both spend upwards of $32K per year in malpractice insurance. Between this cost, taxes, equipment/upkeep/maintanance, and employee costs, any doctor would have to charge very high fees just to make a modest living.
We all know that noone can be refused care. As Eddie pointed out, they already get care and we already fooot the bill for that. So the argument that this is the reason for healthcare reform is bogus. It is simply to provide more entitlement that will destroy the ingenuity and drive that built this nation to dominance in the first place.
As for the FBI, police depts, fire dept, etc. I have never seen a national fire dept. The national forest ranger service does have within itself a fire dept to fight blazes at any of the national forests, or to assist when forest fires are threatening to cause major property damage or casualties on any forest land. Police dept.s are funded by the local citizens. Every state also has a state police (highway patrol) that has jurisdiction on the roadways that encompasses the state. They are not limited to county or city boundaries as are local police. They also have some form or another of an SBI. This is the police wing of the state that gets involved in local matters only on a limited basis. These policing units are supposed to be funded by the state.
As for the FBI, they get involved when crimes either cross state lines (causing jurisdiction issues), threats of national security that exist within the borders of the nation, and in state matters upon request when the issues a local municipality are facing are beyond their capabilities to control or maintain. The national security aspect of the FBI as well as the jurisdiction during crimes that cross state lines are justified by the constitution.
When I say they are justified by the constitution, I need to clarify and state that the constitution gives those rights to the fed govt. Not that a judge interpreted it that way. The right to healthcare does not exist. It is not a right! Local police and fire dept.s are there to assist in the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The costs associated with providing protection ( police) and support (fire dept.) cannot even remotely be compared to the costs of a govt run health plan.
The less fortunate have been brought up quite a bit also. It is usually treaded on softly as to how they ended up that way. While it is true some have started off with less than others, and we all can admit that some are in that position because of choices they have made, the truth is that many would rather live 'securely' with a job or succession of jobs during their lifetime than take the risks that are needed to actually become successful.
From what I have seen, everything that has been proposed by the govt during the past 18 months (at least that long) is equivalent to a new investor coming on this board; telling us how hard it is to be a real estate investor; it didnt work for them even though they tried everything that was suggested by the ones on here with experience; so therefore, all of those who have been successful through the risks they have taken need to pay that investor that didnt succeed ( with the most successful paying the most) the average amount earned by those that are successful. This would have to be based on the word of the investor-who-couldnt, because to question what they did or did not do would not only be detrimental to their self esteem but may also be racist/sexist/cold hearted/discriminatory by other means.
