How is this is any different than simply levying a tax? If it were worded that buying insurance will be optional but there will be a tax on everyone above a certain income to pay for universal health care (for those that want it), would you perceive it differently? This simply turns the premiums into the "tax" which means less tax on everyone, but could be considered a tax on those who ordinarily would choose not to buy (but they'd at least be insured). It's as much an "...or else!" as any tax is, and taxes have been levied by both Democrats and Republicans over the years.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/House-Dems-look-at-surtax-on-apf-4134590509.html?x=0 looks like they're exploring a surtax on people making over $200k a year....just the beginning.....
If you make so much money that you're getting taxed more than you like the solution is very simple. Stop hogging the wealth. Retire. Sell your vacation home. Live a modest but comfortable life. There are many less fortunate people who will work harder than you and not mind at all paying higher taxes in exchange for the benefits of wealth.
It's about time. We need a major overhaul of healthcare in this country, it is a very busted system right now. We are the only industrialized country that has people go bankrupt because of health related issues. It is just wrong. This is a national security issue, without a healthy population you cannot defend yourself. We have more people die every year from preventable/correctable medical issues than died during 9/11. We must change the current situation. You pay about 80% of your tax dollars to the military and don't blink an eye because you want the United States to be protected. Yet when you can pay taxes towards something that will do the same thing, but actually make a difference right away you want to complain. It makes no sense.
what makes no sense is the wealthy paying for the poor's health care. if you want to provide universal healthcare, then provide universal flax tax rates.
If you make so little money that you have to have others pay for you, the solution is very simple. Stop buying consumer goods or brand name merchandise. You should only be allowed to buy certain brands of cars, clothes and goods. Work more. Rent instead of buying a house. Live a meager life of eating bread and cheese every day. There are many more fortunate people who will will spend wiser than you.
because you have a robin hood society in which money is taken from the rich and given to the poor. its a society where you are penalized for success and rewarded for mediocrity. basically it doesn't make sense because I believe in capitalism, not socialism.
I think healthcare is important and should be affordable for all. However, I don't believe it should be mandated, nor should I pay for someone else's healthcare. Everyone should pay the same healthcare costs, but that's not going to happen as policies change with age and one's health.
And this is exactly what happens. If I'm forced to pay more in taxes, what's my incentive to work harder? Everyone becomes mediocre, and everyone becomes equally miserable. Welcome to the Union of Obama Socialist Republics.
We have the best healthcare in the world, bar none. We're unhealthy because we choose to be, not because our doctors suck. We're free to eat Big Macs and stuffed crust pizzas and drive where we could walk. This idea of the uninsured is madness. People either choose to be uninsured because they want more disposable income or they're illegals. NO ONE IS DENIED TREATMENT IN THIS COUNTRY. It's a false crisis. Note the talk about "using health care more efficiently". That's code for "rationing care". How long are you willing to wait for a surgery that is deemed non-life threatening? BTW, when the Government tells you what kind of care you can receive, they also can tell you how to live. If you smoke, you don't get access to treatment for lung cancer. If you drink, you can't get a liver transplant. If you're obese, you can't get a joint replacement. I'm amazed at how willingly people are giving up control of their lives. P.S. The Congress likes this kind of health care so much they've exempted themselves from it.
