Health Care Reform
In 1917, Vladimir Lenin promised the Russians change, and boy did he ever deliver. In an attempt to convert the entire world to a socialist economy (starting with Russia, he expected it to spread), he seized church assets, confiscated private property, nationalized Russian banks, farms, and factories, and instituted a national health care system that eventually bankrupted the Soviet economy.
In 2008, Barack Obama promised the Americans change. Now, the United States government owns controlling interest in General Motors and Chrysler; there are talks about government intervention to restructure the two biggest mortgage providers, and a deadline has been given to approve a major overhaul of the American health care system.
While many conservatives would applaud my comparison, my point is not to bash a liberal. The reason I mention Lenin is to point out that ideas have consequences. The government has a lot of power, and the decisions that they make can have far-reaching effects. With the American economy so fragile, is it really a good time to be rushing the passage of a major health care bill?
I’m not saying the American health care system couldn’t stand some changes. Many people don’t have access to needed treatments due to high costs. Injuries and deaths due to medical errors could probably stand to be reduced. The symptoms are often treated, rather than the cause of the problem. I’ve also heard that doctors sometimes order extra tests that aren’t necessary just to avoid lawsuits, but I don’t know about the quality of my source on that.
So, I’m not fighting for the status quo. I’m not even saying we should drag our feet on this one. I’m simply asking if this is the type of decision that we should be rushing, or if it is the type of decision where we should take the time to read the bill, consider the ramifications, compare other suggestions, and carefully make an informed decision. Which is the more responsible approach?
Tags: health care, obama
Filed under: Current Events, Politics
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