I just heard the minority leader, John Boehner, claim that the health care issue is the 'greatest threat to freedom' he has seen in his 19 years in service. Can someone tell me how it's a threat to freedom, and not just him trying to rile up the minority of people who are opposed to the bill? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33654086/ns/politics-health_care_reform I understand being against it, but can they at least not come off like complete morons?
It gives the Federal Government the power of life or death. It takes over 1/6th of the US Economy and socializes it. Isn't that enough?
I'm still making it through the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Some of the machinations Hitler was able to pull off (legally!) seem astounding to me, looking back. And then I see on the news this morning that there's going to be a vote on the Health Care bill in the House today (or Monday?), and Pelosi won't let it be posted for public view. Does anyone have a link to the bill? Or does anyone want to defend the right of our representatives to vote on a "secret" bill that will affect so much of our lives and treasury?
I won't make any guesses about which "news" you were watching, but that appears to be untrue. The text of the bill is here. barfo
Not to mention, it will place more future debt on all citizens. Funny, when in reality, those that don't see (or won't admit) that expanding the government, giving the government more power, and socializing more future debt doesn't reduce our freedom are the ones that come off looking like morons.
I dunno, this current administration is bent on taking rights & freedoms from people- all in the name of a facist socialism. Seems pretty bad to me.
First, the Constitution states that we all provide for the common defense. Strangely, it doesn't mention universal health care. Second, while the government can put soldiers (who volunteered) in harm's way, they can't kill them. Health care policies will ration care, and by definition, allow some to die so others may live. Third, the people who make the decision to go to war are elected. The people that would serve on these health care policy review boards are unelected. It puts the power of life and death in the hand of people who aren't voted into power by the will of the people. Of course, you know all of this, but I understand your strategy.
I've pretty much given up talking about this subject on this board. Nobody ever convinces anybody of anything.
Personally, though, I feel the greatest threats to my own freedom have precious little to do with "socialized medicine." 1. I can't lose my job or I won't be able to afford health insurance for me, my wife and kids. 2. I hate that some idiot terrorist fucks over half a decade ago cause me to still take off my shoes at the airport. I hate that sinking feeling in my gut I still get every time I get on an airplane. 3. I hate that our government seems completely incompetent at handling major disasters (Katrina). Which makes me even more concerned about #2. I've always found it depressing when people living in cookie-cutter beige gated communities who work 50 hours a week so they can drive the same overrated SUV that their TV set tells them they need to have for their hour-long commute to their bland corporate job and pay for it all by piling up massive debts and waste every Sunday praying to somebody who doesn't exist while paying priests to tell them he does are terrified that the government is a threat to their "freedom." *whew* That may be the worst use of dependent clauses without commas I've written. Well, at least this week.
He is referring to it being the BILL that he has seen in his time in Congress, that is the "greatest threat to freedom"... Name another bill (one that had serious traction - don't get cute) in the last 19 years that is clearly and unequivocally a greater expansion of the power, size and reach of federal government. Now, if you believe, as some do, that relatively limitless federal government power, is more or less benign, then you would have a disagreement with this dude. But, you can't argue that he is being inconsistent with his prior stated positions or is being a "moron". He is logically consistent.
They are already rationed. The difference is they are rationed by people who are legal obligated to turn as large a profit as possible. So in doing their duty to shareholders they have to deny care to as many people as they possiblely can. They decide who lives and dies by how much it will cost. If you think that is ok then I really have no idea how you can live with yourself. How would a government system be worse then that?
+1 I'm also amused in a tragic way by the GOP congresswoman who stated that this health care bill is greater threat than any terrorist in the country. If any of you feel this way I'd highly suggest you pack your bags and look for a new country. Because if this incredibly incremental move towards having a government run health option that's only expected to affect 2% of the population really scares you that much then I wouldn't want you to be in terror every night of the week.
Well, the health care policies aren't directly killing people the same way the military isn't directly killing people, so your rationale here fails. They just put people at a greater risk of dying.
