Healthcare Dilemma

With the country pitted against each other on the healthcare issue we find that the gap between Republicans and Democrats widens with each news report. The whole Democrat vs. Republican issue is a thorn in Lady Liberty's side. One one side we have the Democrats who believe that everyone is entitled to healthcare even if they cannot afford it. On the other side we have the Republicans feel that government healthcare is another move towards socialism. Smack dab in the middle you have the Libertarians/Constitutionalists/Federalist who have an altogether different opinion.

I don't think anyone will argue that a sick person does not deserve healthcare just because they do not have insurance. I do not believe that is the argument. I believe the argument is whether or not the Government has the right to provide it. According to the Constitution that is an emphatic NO. In fact several state governments, including Texas, are preparing for a showdown over the legality of Government healthcare and will invoke the 10th Amendment or State's Rights.

So does this mean that we get rid of trying to help sick people? Of course not but instead of trying to scrap the system we have lets reform it by getting rid of government regulation. You know the government regulation that ties the hands of Doctors and makes them do everything in triplicate. There also needs to be reform with the legal system and Civil law suits that force doctors to perform unnecessary procedures because they fear getting sued. We also must not punish doctors who are innovative when providing service.

Recently a doctor in New York offered his patients unlimited healthcare for $79 a month and a copay of $10 for every visit. This would provide healthcare for all of his patients for around $1000 a year. Sounds reasonable huh. The State of New York stepped in and claimed the doctor was operating as an insurer and needed to cease and desist immediately or face his license being denied renewal.

So what is the solution? Is it the doctor's way or is it President Obama's way. For those of you who have not read the actual bill let me list of some of the overreaching items in the bill and the pages where you can find them:

Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Govt will audit books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure.

PG 24 Sec 116 of HC bill Govt effectively sets prices for ALL private health plans.

Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill – YOUR HEALTHCARE IS RATIONED.

Pg 42 of HC Bill – The Health Choices Commissioner will choose UR HC Benefits 4 you. you have no choice.

PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill – HC will be provided to ALL non-US citizens, illegal or otherwise.

Pg 58HC Bill – Govt will have real-time access 2 individuals finances and a National ID Healthcard will be issued.

These are just a few overreaching government power grabs in Obama's bill. This bill is violating the Constitution on so many levels it is laughable that anyone would vote for it. Read more here: http://blog.flecksoflife.com/2009/07/19/the-hc-monstrosity/

Have you seen the commercials that are pushing Americans to support this bill? Isn't it strange that the these ads are paid for by the pharmaceutical companies? Why would the pharmaceutical companies care? Because if Obama's bill passes they now have 100% of the people in the United States who can now afford their prescription drugs. Also people are more likely to buy prescription drugs if they get the drugs discounted or paid for altogether. Pharmaceutical companies are in business for profit. So if they have access to 100% of the country then that is a major victory for the modern day, legal drug dealer.

Obama himself, in his speech the other night, mentioned the blue pill and the red pill. He knows what is at stake here. Again the argument is not whether or not a person deserves healthcare because they do. The argument is whether or not the Federal Government in accordance with the Constitution of the United States of America has the authority or power to grab this much power form the States. We must all stand up and shout NO!

To wrap this up I personally believe the solution lies in the past. There was a time when there was no health insurance and people saved money on their own to go to the doctor. There was a time when the unfortunate people would go to their Church/Synagogue/Mosque and ask for help. In the generation before our parents healthcare was affordable. If we think back to the past and learn from our previous generations then affordable healthcare is there we just have to tell the bureaucrats that we are sick and tired of their version of affordable healthcare.

The Business of Living

A lot is made these days of money and "things". I admit I get caught up in it too. I am a consumer on some level and on another I am disgusted at what consumerism really is in today's world. When people look at their lives it seems it is summarized by possessions. Living in the pretentious side of Austin, TX I look around and realize that each new shining achievement for myself and those around me is quantified by the box truck delivering the next big thing or the new address in the swanky new zip code.

Four months ago that all changed. My life became more real, somewhat meaningful. Don't get me wrong being married to a great woman makes life worth living but having a child with her makes life truly meaningful. I am a proud father of a healthy baby girl and she has changed my whole perspective on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that our forefathers promised us.

Life hasn't always been easy for me and that is the way I like it. Being challenged means that you are uncomfortable and uncomfortable allows you to transform yourself into something you previously thought impossible. As a child I endured pain and hardships that no person should ever have to endure but I always said, "It could be worse." Divorce, drugs, abuse and hate were normal activities as a child. A child should have love, stability, nurturing and education when growing up, which brings me to my epiphany,Get busy living or get busy dying.

Yes, yes I know that is from the Shawshank Redemption but I think it is appropriate. Life is about the number of toys you have, pieces of property or what your current position in Microsoft is. Life is waking up at 5:30 am to change a dirty diaper. Living is about the moments that take your breath away. Being in love is being content with sitting in silence reading a book with your spouse. I always said that the reason I attended university wasn't to get a job but rather to obtain knowledge that can never be stripped from me. Well life is the same way, living is not about what comes at the end but rather the times that make you smile, the moments that make you cry and the people who make life worth living or in other words life is about the experiences that will never be forgotten.