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When it comes to health care reform, the devil is in the details
When it comes to legislation, there's a general rule of thumb that the number of details someone doesn't want you to see is directly related to how quickly they try to pass it. The so-called health care "reform" bill is a text-book example.
The reason Obama and liberal Democrats are pushing so fast and furious is because the details, (where the Devil usually hides), are beginning to get out. And as the details start to sink in, they're cutting through all of the "yes we can" rhetoric and leading more Americans to say "no you don't".
So what's getting them worked up? Let's take a look at some of the details of this "reform".
Despite Obama's best efforts, the financial implications are finally becoming more widely appreciated, (so to speak). According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the proposed legislation would not reduce the overall amount of money spent on health care in America, which undermines Obama's rationale for the massive overhaul in the first place.
They estimate that the "reform" would add between one and one and a half trillion dollars to our national debt, just over the next decade alone. The result will be a call for massive tax increases and the eventual rationing of care to cover and reduce costs. And of course this is before we find out how much more it will really cost once it becomes law, as every federal program eventually costs more than initially advertised.
And there are plenty of non-financial "details" to be concerned about as well.
The legislation would provide taxpayer funding of abortion by mandating coverage in the "public" (government run) version of health insurance. Democrats specifically opposed an amendment that would have mandated that no public funds go to cover abortion in the bill, and worse yet they approved an amendment that explicitly includes abortion coverage. In short, the bill would represent the greatest expansion of abortion in America since Roe vs. Wade.
There's trouble for doctors and nurses too, as they're likely to lose the "conscience protections" that keep them from being forced to provide abortion services, or risk losing their jobs. Obama's administration has already moved to rescind Bush era regulations that helped guarantee those protections.
The "public" (government run) version of health insurance would provide free health care to illegal aliens, but would result in the rationing of care for elderly and disabled American citizens in order to save money. Congressional liberals even defeated an amendment that would have specifically banned the rationing of health care.
And what happens when the government starts to ration care? Who decides who gets what, and when? Why bureaucrats and politicians, that's who. And what happens when people are left to wonder what kind of care they'll get if they're not supporters of the right political party? Such fears (not to mention corruption) become plausible given a government run system.
Obama claims that rationing is already going on by our insurance companies, so we shouldn't get worked up about it. Maybe so, but that doesn't mean we should trade private rationing (done by private companies that have to compete for consumer dollars) for public rationing by a government with no competition.
Then there's Obama's pledge that, "if you like your current insurance plan, you can keep it", which is a hollow promise at best, if not an outright lie.
A recent Heritage Foundation study projects that the "reform" Obama wants would cause almost 90 million Americans to lose their current employer-based insurance, as many employers will simply cease to offer coverage and push employees onto the government plan in order to save money.
Worse yet, the current version of the legislation would make it illegal for Americans to buy, or for insurance companies to sell, any individual private insurance plans after the first of the year.
The "reform" also would force all Americans to pay for health insurance, whether they want it or not - and use the IRS to levy fines on anyone who doesn't have the level of coverage that the government mandates.
The bottom line is that this plan represents a massive foot-in-the-door towards a "single-payer" system, where private insurance is completely abolished and all medical personnel work for the government. In fact, many of its supporters have admitted as much.
Representative Jan Schakowsky was caught on video in April stating that this was indeed an attempt to move toward a single payer system and to run the insurance companies out of business. And Obama himself stated in 2003 that, "I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer, universal health care plan." What more do we need to know?
Who doesn't believe that this plan won't become a gateway for the regulation of an ongoing list of human behaviors? Once the government's paying the tab, every type of human behavior becomes a potential cost to be analyzed and controlled.
Don't believe me? Look no further than the Pentagon's recent trial balloon about banning smoking in the military because it increases military health care costs. Now just replace "Pentagon" with "National Health Service", and replace "smoking" with "cheeseburgers" or "mountain climbing". You get the picture.
Americans seem to be catching on.
The most recent polls bring bad news for Obama, showing a continued drop in just about every category...job approval...his ability to "fix" health care...support for his plan...and with at least one poll showing the Republicans now leading Democrats on a "generic ballot" test. Which means that, at least for the moment, being the "party of no" is working just fine for the GOP.
As a result, the Democrats just this past week re-tooled their rhetoric to make insurance companies the latest boogie-man in their attempt to distract people from the facts. But the only problem is that this "reform" means more government, which is one of the few things people dislike more than insurance companies.
And speaking of insurance companies, if the Democrats do run them out of business, who will all the trial lawyers sue? Just curious. John Edwards has child support to pay!
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I thought y'all would find this interesting. We should all stick together and fight.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/landon-ross/dont-please_b_254674.html
From my understanding of the tenants of Christ's teachings/philosphy (Philosphy Degree at a well know East Coast Jesuit college), it seems health care coverage for all people would be the right thing to do.
With the exception of abortion funding, I'm perplexed why the CCofA would be so against universal health care. Perhaps the CCofA is more of a polital organization than a spiritual one?
One of God's greatest gifts is faith and reason; it seems as if your organization has misguided faith and absolutely no reason.
Hello Bigverb
I feel as you do, that the wealth of our society could be extended to people who are poor and sick. I agree with your inference that the CC is political and not spiritual. There's nothing wrong with being political, but that's what it is. Worldly concerns are still with us, and we must find our way through life's challenges. Still, I am surprised and dismayed that prayer for our leaders is not listed in the "Take Action" section of this web site.
America is blessed, and we are charged by providence to participate in an enlightened democracy. We must evaluate differing plans and strategies that individuals and political parties may offer us on the ballot, and hopefully choose those plans and ideas that glorify God. I am not a sophisticated political thinker. I certainly am not as educated in current affairs as I could be... but to date, I do not know of any issue in politics, for all its worldliness, that does not contain the option to glorify God... either in its support or opposition, or even in its re-writing.
I will pray for our leaders, of the US and the CC alike that they glorify God, and I accept in faith that God will be glorified. I will make little decisions about politics... but I cannot believe politics is the answer. I can't even believe politics contains the question.
"How can a man be born again"? ..... is that in there somewhere?
It's a big, gaping, and glaring thin line between considering one's self to be a source of good and believing all good comes from God. I pray we reflect the light, and do not obstruct it.
For someone with your education, bigverb, I would think you should be able to see the difference between being against Obama Health Care and being against universal health care.
A great majority of Americans are for universal health care and want to see the problem solved WITHOUT losing all of what they have now. They want to be able to sue for denial of claims and have it litigated in court, not mandated without recourse by the government. They don't want the senior citizens denied even basic coverage of benefits because they are old. They don't want to pay for a GIGANTIC increase in government jobs to oversee this monster. They don't want to pay for illegal alien care, or abortion. They don't want medical professionals to be mandated to perform medical procedures that violate their conscience. They do not want to pay for sex change operations and the needed ongoing drugs to the tune of approx. $50,000. just for the operation, all because someone is "confused" about their sexual identity. In short, they don't want health care as it is now completely revised to an ultimate government program with all their foulups.
Government is supposed to get out of the way, as much as possible, and let market forces determine what is best. How many new drugs or treatments will come on line once the government is in control? Why spend money developing the next cancer drug if it will sell for the same price as the inferior one being used to day?
Jesus said to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Why then did Congress exempt themselves from living under this Plan? Why also are the unions and ACORN exempted? Payoff for Obama's goons?
How can any Christian support all of the negatives given above? Killing babies, limiting or completely denying care because they are "too old," or too "sick," or are physically/mentally challenged in some way? I don't know at what college you were educated, but either it isn't a Christian college or you weren't listening. The faith you speak of is a really strange one and I don't see any reason in your position unless you just refuse to face the facts and go on sloppy emotion.
Considering the numerous instances of half-truths and outright attempts at deception that have been advanced by this administration and his minions from the far left regarding this healthcare reform bill, I find it absolutely incredible that there are still any that defend it by saying it should be given respectful, good-faith consideration.
But, not only do you, indeed, state that... You go further in making implications that good, strong, moral Conservatives out here, in fact, DO NOT believe that there is a lot of room for intelligent and impactful healthcare reform measures that can be enacted to make healthcare more affordable for all and, yet, maintaining the quality of care that we are used to in this great country... and all without sacrificing our moral standings on life, both at the earliest and latest stages.
In essence, do not put words in other people's mouths when you will not even legitimately judge falsehoods coming out of others!
I couldn't agree more.. Many millions of Americans suffer and even die because they cannot afford health insurance, or don't qualify because of pre-existing conditions, etc. Even the ones who do have insurance are being abused by their insurance companies. I wonder if Jesus would turn his back on them and look the other way. It as if the "have's" in this country are clutching selfishly to their currently good and affordable insurance and saying "tuff luck" to the rest of the population. Where is the Christianity in this? President Obama's health care reform is not perfect, but instead of attack, attack, attack, we should be working with him to come up with a compassionate, effective, and effecient health care plan that all Americans can have access to, and be proud of.
I read an article on CNN.com regarding the debate on Health Care Reform and saw the view your organinzation is taking to oppose it. Stating that you were concerned about "that it would lead to government-funded abortion." SERIOUSLY? Is that what you are MOST concerned with in this debate??!! Abortion? That is THE LEAST of our countries concerns. Let me tell you why healthcare reform would be good for people like me...
I am a 35 year old woman who has Diabetes and dependent on LIFE SUSTAINING insulin. 4 days ago I suffered a heart attack due to the fact that I cannot afford my medications or health insurance and this disease is destroying the blood vessels and organs in my body. I had to have a stent placed in my heart and now required to be on more medications to sustain my life that cost almost triple my monthly income, causing my family to do without things like cooking gas, school clothes, a form of safe reliable transportation...all because we aren't important enough to be taken care of and have the right to medical care like you rich, wealthy, special intrest people.
To see someone like your company would want to take the ability away from people who are like me who work(ed) hard, benefited this country, have families and faith state that they would rather see us suffer and die sickens me! But I suppose you wouldn't care about us lowly people who do all your grunt jobs like clean your homes, stock your store shelves, make your Big Mac's, pick up your garbage and ect...We are replaceable with someone else and who cares if we not only starve and struggle to survive but DIE from diseases because we cannot afford to take care of ourselves, leaving behind our families and children....As long as you are healthy and taken care of right? Filthy! That is the OPPOSITE of what Jesus preached. Jesus came from poor, humble beginings and helped the weak, the poor, the ones who were being opposed by the hierarchy of goverment.
I may get banned for this post...but it is oh so worth it. Read the bible again! Refamiliarize yourself with Jesus' teachings and the way God wants us to be to each other. And you call yourselves christians....disgusting. I hope God judges you at the pearly gates and shows you how wrong you were, but by then it will be too late. I am ashamed to associate my faith and god-fearing self with people of the likes of you.