As the U.S. Supreme Court debates whether the government can mandate that citizens buy health care insurance, and try to rationalize a decision based upon the Constitution, what are the implications for other mandates, such as taxes, Social Security, and auto insurance (in many states)? Yes, the highest court must interpret the law in light of the Constitution. But is the court prepared to throw out these things which mean so much in terms of the stability and security of our nation?
Whether health care is determined to be a right or a privilege, it is still something every person needs to survive and prosper. If the Constitution proves to be the problem standing in the way of universal access and payment for health care, change the Constitution. And while we’re at it, let’s discover true one person/one vote democracy by abolishing the obsolete Electoral College system for electing our Presidents.
Will common sense prevail in the Supreme Court, or is that asking too much in the 21st century?
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March 28, 2012 at 13:26
Atticus Finch
I think the problem is forcing people to purchase a product. Can you force people to have healthcare even if they individually choose not to? Should the tax payers be forced to purchase healthcare for others? We are already equally taxed as other countries with universal healthcare.
Also, is it truly better to give the US Government (who is 15 billion in debt) additional funds and resources and trust them with the management of said wealth? I don’t know the answer, but I do think we could be a little hasty about jumping to go with Obamacare.
March 29, 2012 at 07:26
applewoody
The cost of healthcare could be significantly reduced if we had a angle payer system (government health care), which would knock out the profits of insurance companies. But the electorate is not ready for that. Obamacare reduces cost by spreading the risk. We already have government mandates, as I pointed out, in Social Security, taxes and auto insurance. Since everyone needs and uses health care, why not mandate that too?
March 29, 2012 at 19:52
Atticus Finch
I’m always hesitant to put additional power to hands of Government. We know that Government and corporate interests are too intertwined to believe that insurance companies will not capitalize and benefit from Universal healthcare at the cost of the people.
Look at big pharma. Lobbyist prevail. It’s no coincidence that the most “regulated” industries are also the most rich. Government programs like the FDA have only served to help big business and hinder small ones and generic drugs. Not help the people like it was promoted as.
The risk is healthcare will end up the same way. Besides the Obamacare package is poorly written.