Health Care
So, after listening to and reading the President's speech to a joint session of congress concerning the topic of health care, let me dogmatize it for you.
(Words of President Obama in italics)
"Since health care represents one-sixth of our economy, I believe it makes more sense to build on what works and fix what doesn't, rather than try to build an entirely new system from scratch."
One sixth or not, that makes sense.
Regarding people who have insurance through their current employment, "...nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have."
That is the issue, the government may not require a change, but what thinking businessman is not going to opt for his employees to be in the cheaper public option? It is not because that businessperson is evil, but because lowering cost is the economically responsible thing to do when your employees depend upon the profitability of your company for their livelihoods. So, while many may fall into the group that the President says will be unaffected, how long will they remain unaffected after the government begins competing with private industry?
"For those individuals and small businesses who still cannot afford the lower-priced insurance available in the exchange, we will provide tax credits, the size of which will be based on your need."
The exchange concept earns dogmatic approval from this reviewer provided that no insurance company be forced to join it (not joining would lead the company out of the market anyway). I am worried about the concept of "according to your need" which is a direct quote from the Communist Manifesto. Not saying the President is communist (in this entry), but that type of talk has to perk a political philosophers ears up.
...individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance...95% of small business...would be exempt from these requirements
If you read this portion, it again rigs true to the old Marxist philosophy, from each according to his ability and to each according to their need. This philosophy destroys incentive, though I don't think the President has carried, or intends to carry it out to that end.
Unfortunately, in 34 states, 75% of the insurance market is controlled by five or fewer companies.
Considering the President's point, this likely means that 16 states have more than five companies providing insurance. Also, five companies providing insurance in most states represents considerable competition. Keep in mind that not all states are as densely populated as the greatest state in the union, from which I dogmatize.
I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits
I get the public option being a nonprofit and that potentially that should add no cost to the taxpayer. However, does anyone doubt that when the bureaucracy is created it will cost more than planned and eventually need a bailout along the lines of Social Security? Remember, we all pay into Social Security so that general fund tax dollars are not necessary. How is that working out. I long for Al Gore's lockbox.
The President does throw a bone to fiscal conservatives by offering tort reform, but only after dismissing its importance saying that "defensive medicine may be contributing to unnecessary costs. It may? Really?
The President goes on to pick up a Bush Administration initiative...continuing eight years of failed policy.
Of course we can't have a health care speech without some good old-fashioned class warfare, "[Health Care Reform] will cost ...less than the tax cuts for the wealthiest few Americans."
Those damn wealthy Americans all out there creating jobs and reaping the benefits or their hard work and the hard work of generations of their families.
Humorously sad was the idea that tax cuts are somehow "costs." I think that says volumes about who your income should belong to.
The President ends with a threat "we will call you out" and a couple of anecdotal tear jerkers.
All in all, it was a well crafted speech. The basic ideas are pretty decent, though I worry that the President sees the government as genuinely benevolent and capable of staving off corruption in its bureaucratic application of health care. This is a worry because this belief is what leads well meaning people to create and suffer under horrible oppression.
The full text of the speech is available in dozens of online locations. I have quoted from the text found here.
Note: Interested in my take on any subject? Leave a comment with a request and I would be happy to make it known.
(Words of President Obama in italics)
"Since health care represents one-sixth of our economy, I believe it makes more sense to build on what works and fix what doesn't, rather than try to build an entirely new system from scratch."
One sixth or not, that makes sense.
Regarding people who have insurance through their current employment, "...nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have."
That is the issue, the government may not require a change, but what thinking businessman is not going to opt for his employees to be in the cheaper public option? It is not because that businessperson is evil, but because lowering cost is the economically responsible thing to do when your employees depend upon the profitability of your company for their livelihoods. So, while many may fall into the group that the President says will be unaffected, how long will they remain unaffected after the government begins competing with private industry?
"For those individuals and small businesses who still cannot afford the lower-priced insurance available in the exchange, we will provide tax credits, the size of which will be based on your need."
The exchange concept earns dogmatic approval from this reviewer provided that no insurance company be forced to join it (not joining would lead the company out of the market anyway). I am worried about the concept of "according to your need" which is a direct quote from the Communist Manifesto. Not saying the President is communist (in this entry), but that type of talk has to perk a political philosophers ears up.
...individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance...95% of small business...would be exempt from these requirements
If you read this portion, it again rigs true to the old Marxist philosophy, from each according to his ability and to each according to their need. This philosophy destroys incentive, though I don't think the President has carried, or intends to carry it out to that end.
Unfortunately, in 34 states, 75% of the insurance market is controlled by five or fewer companies.
Considering the President's point, this likely means that 16 states have more than five companies providing insurance. Also, five companies providing insurance in most states represents considerable competition. Keep in mind that not all states are as densely populated as the greatest state in the union, from which I dogmatize.
I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits
I get the public option being a nonprofit and that potentially that should add no cost to the taxpayer. However, does anyone doubt that when the bureaucracy is created it will cost more than planned and eventually need a bailout along the lines of Social Security? Remember, we all pay into Social Security so that general fund tax dollars are not necessary. How is that working out. I long for Al Gore's lockbox.
The President does throw a bone to fiscal conservatives by offering tort reform, but only after dismissing its importance saying that "defensive medicine may be contributing to unnecessary costs. It may? Really?
The President goes on to pick up a Bush Administration initiative...continuing eight years of failed policy.
Of course we can't have a health care speech without some good old-fashioned class warfare, "[Health Care Reform] will cost ...less than the tax cuts for the wealthiest few Americans."
Those damn wealthy Americans all out there creating jobs and reaping the benefits or their hard work and the hard work of generations of their families.
Humorously sad was the idea that tax cuts are somehow "costs." I think that says volumes about who your income should belong to.
The President ends with a threat "we will call you out" and a couple of anecdotal tear jerkers.
All in all, it was a well crafted speech. The basic ideas are pretty decent, though I worry that the President sees the government as genuinely benevolent and capable of staving off corruption in its bureaucratic application of health care. This is a worry because this belief is what leads well meaning people to create and suffer under horrible oppression.
The full text of the speech is available in dozens of online locations. I have quoted from the text found here.
Note: Interested in my take on any subject? Leave a comment with a request and I would be happy to make it known.
posted by Dogmatist at 12:56:00 PM
1 Of The Dogmericans Have Dogmatized
