For those who are concerned with the nuts and bolts of American politics, this past weekend the Senate version of healthcare reform passed the House of Representatives. So what’s next?
Well, a lot of that depends on which side of the argument you are on with this issue. It does need to be noted that Americans overwhelmingly believe that there is a valid need for reform. The Democrats would have you believe that at the press of an electronic button all the worries that concerned small business leaders are now fixed, everyone will now have access to affordable and quality healthcare and Ted Kennedy will now, and only now, be able to rest in peace. The Republicans would have you believe that the world as we know it will cease to function and death panels will determine the fate of every American and Ronald Reagan will spin for the rest of eternity in his grave.
So what will really happen? That’s a good question and unfortunately the only thing we can really do is wait and see. however there will be some things that will show themselves very soon, some good and some bad. Good things: children with preexisting conditions will now be covered; those who wish to carry their children on their policy up to age 26 will now be able to do just that. Bad things: Cost, taxes and mandated healthcare.
If anyone who has listened to this 14 month long debate thinks that only people who make more than $250,000 will see an increase in their taxes, you may want to go get an examination to be certain of your mental state. This is not going to happen. This increase may not come right away but it is coming, you can rest assured of that.
See, Americans love their entitlements. They may initially resist, but once they get them they are hooked. Then the reality of how to pay for this sets in and we all know where it goes from there. Myself I am neither Democrat nor Republican, I consider myself a “free thinking independent” and I know that no matter what anyone chooses to call themselves the reality is we are all going to pay for this thing, and it will grow and it will not be deficit neutral. You may hope it is, but you can’t possibly believe that you can add 30 million to anything and it not cost more. That’s like saying “I am going to add 5 more hours to your work week, keep you at the same pay but you won’t work anymore than you used to.” What?
So what happens next? Well the elections that’s what.
Now again we will hear from both sides, the Democrats will say that they have accomplished so much when the truth is that they for the first time in our history have passed a bill that the majority of the American people did not want, that deals with 1/6 of the US Economy, and did so on a partisan line vote. For better or worse, they own it. The Republicans will tell you that they tried to stop the commie socialist takeover of America.
The truth is, Republicans really don’t seem to care about healthcare until the Democrats bring it up and then they become the all-caring all-knowing subject matter experts on healthcare. So they disregard the fact that they had 10 years to do something, ever notice you never hear that mentioned? So what happens now, well if you were for it then you celebrate, all 39 percent of the American people should be elated that this “historic” event took place this past weekend. If you were against it, all 59 percent of Americans (for all you Fox bashers out there this is taken from a CNN poll dated March19-21, 2010) then you should take a long hard look at:1. The current members of Congress 2. The Constitutionality of this bill, I mean really, government mandated health insurance? 3. The process in which this came to be and finally 4. The current direction in which the country is going.
Once you have figured out what you think needs to be done, and then show your results at the polls this November. There is no need for name calling, arm twisting or threats, just simply pull the lever for the candidate that best serves your interests. But this time do it based on experience not rhetoric, on intelligence not looks, on truth not false promises, on substance not ideology.
Because at the end of the day one thing stands out. Regardless if you were pro or con to this, it still has to be paid for by Democrats and Republicans alike, and the clock is ticking.
D.T. Lowe
Clarksville, Tenn.
Jbertschy
You can find a poll to support any position you wish to take. A recent USA Today poll showed 49% to 40% in favor. But are we now to be governed by polls? I've read this paper for a long time, and you know what? I didn't see a national campaign to with bus tours, led by part time ex governors demanding Bush leave Iraq. For that matter with all this new found concern about the constitution, I don't remember a bus tour, etc., because we were in a war that Congress didn't declare. I also don't recall any bus tours about warrantless wiretapping....guess these concerns only popped up when a black democrat became president.
I'll give you credit for one thing, Americans do love their entitlements. Another famous poll showed that Americans were against the health care reform bill, but in favor of all the things it contained....I'd say that more due to the constant negative barrage on Fixed Noise than anything else, wouldn't you? People also want something for nothing, but the fact is, everything has a cost. This bill however, according to the CBO, will reduce the deficit. Now you can argue that, but the CBO is used by both sides to referee disputes.
As for the constitutionality of the bill, I guess we'll see won't we. But the republican front runner enacted a very similar bill with the same mandate. The conservative Heritage Foundation proposed a bill with the same mandate. I wonder, are they "socialists" as well? Seems once again, it only became bad when a black democrat proposed.