Playing Fair with Health Care

With all the furor over our country's recently enacted health care bill, I want to take a minute this morning to weigh in with my own thoughts. While I do support a major overhaul of our health care system, with extensive cost-cutting and regulatory measures in place (let's face it, this thing is broken and reform is needed), I do not favor the new law, nor do I support the massive debt that will be incurred in implementing it. Most of all, I cannot support the self-serving way this bill was passed by so-called representatives, whose actions shouted disrespect for both their constituents and the democratic process in general. (And seeing Nancy-OurNationalNemesis-Pelosi gloat about it doesn't help matters.)

Sadly, I have no faith whatsoever in a system that would depend upon the government for leadership and organization. The vicious cycle of abuse and incompetent management induced and reinforced by Medicare and Medicaid has shown us what happens to the bottom line when the government is in charge. My fear is that costs will spiral, eventually the government will have to ration care, and that such rationing will effectively destroy the delicate balance between doctor as autonomous service provider and patient as free agent consumer that has made our medical care the best in the world. Yes, free enterprise works. Even in the medical field. And throwing the baby out with the bath water is not a necessary ingredient of reform.

These are my concerns, and I think they are valid ones. Having said that, I am absolutely appalled by the recent behavior of a few extremists who happen to agree with my position. Throwing rocks through windows, making threats against opponents, foaming at the mouth and the like do not a strong argument for our case make. And ranting about militias and provisions and larders to defend ourselves from the powers that be does nothing but taint the real message that opponents of the bill should be trying to get across to fellow citizens. This message is deceptively simple and requires no bricks, rocks, or firearms. Have we forgotten, as Americans, that the way to "protect ourselves" from the government is to exercise the right to vote? If the majority truly does not want a health care system that is heading toward full government control (and I'm convinced it does not...or will not when the fallout is seen), then all said majority needs to do is send those in Congress who voted to encourage that eventuality back home...as private citizens. And if new congressmen and senators don't get the message, they can be sent packing in the next election (and the one after that, until the will of the people is made not only clear but operative).

Oh, sure. We need to speak out and educate and maybe even agitate a little. But get a grip, conservatives. Democracy is what we're struggling to protect here, not anarchy. Capitalism, not vandalism. History has proven it again and again. Our strength as political movers and shakers lies in unity, not unabombers...in numbers, not nunchucks. And chuckleheads, knuckleheads, numbskulls, and ninjas need not apply.