Sunday, March 28, 2010

So You Want to Know What I Think About the Health Care Bill

I have been in mourning for the last few weeks in preparation for this day. Why? because I knew begging you to call and write your congressmen would do no good. Why? because if you have democratic congressmen most of them had no intention of listening to you unless you were for the health care bill. Though if I saw polls correctly only a slight majority of Americans are vehemently opposed to this bill.

Why?

Because over time we've become a society that slowly allows the government to take over our lives in the name of providing for us or in the name of safety, and after a little while we become used to and dependent upon those provisions and so we let them keep taking more and more of our tax dollars as long as they keep providing for our needs.

This is why I'm in mourning. I no longer believe that a majority of Americans care about liberty and freedom. I believe freedom loving Americans are in the minority and because of how our system is set up, we won't find actual representation in Washington unless we all move into the same districts and can elect our own representatives.

Don't tell me the Republicans are going to step up and represent us, because where were they on health care when they held the house and the senate in the 90's? They could have introduced and passed legislation to increase competition across state lines for health insurance and introduced legislation prohibits denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Then they could have put the parameters around pre-existing conditions that they could be subject to higher premiums or patient portions as negotiated between the patient and the insurance companies. But the republicans did nothing when they had the chance so don't tell me they are going to suddenly step up and start representing freedom loving Americans. Hannity and Limbaugh can sell it if they want, but I'm not buying. Running on repealing the legislation in November seems disingenuous to me.

Nancy Pelosi made some comment after the Health Care Bill passed comparing it to Social Security and Medicare passing. While I disagree with her view of it being a good thing, she's right. Social Security and Medicare are bankrupting this country and Health Care will be the nail in the bankruptcy coffin. Next time you get a social security statement in the mail read it.

This is from my statement received in February of this year:
"In 2016 we will begin paying more in benefits than we collect in taxes. Without changes, by 2037 the Social Security Trust Fund will be exhausted* and there will be enough money to pay only about 76 cents for each dollar of scheduled benefits...."

What do you think is going to happen with health care if the government is in charge of it? As it is, premiums will go up for everyone and/or insurance companies will go bankrupt until there's no one left but the government to bail us all out and that's how they'll get the 'universal coverage' they (and many Americans) want so badly.

Do I hope the Republican platform of repeal works in November? Sure I do, but here's how I would like to see it happen; All republicans that are up for re election get booted in their republican primary in favor of their opponent, whoever it is. Let's get rid of the old republican blood that is more than happy to spend our money on things like corporate bailouts and get fresh blood in there. If Sarah Palin were a real 'maverick' she'd be campaigning against John McCain instead of for him. Instead of campaigning for Rick Perry here in Texas for governor, she'd have campaigned for Debra Medina. Who is she you ask. Exactly my point. I will be voting for the libertarian candidate. Out with the old, in with the new.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Do American's Really Care About Civil Liberties?

This didn't make headline news as far as I can tell. It was discussed on a local radio show. Politico.com is the source of the story and the major source talking about it. The only other sources I found talking about it upon a quick search were blogs that I don't follow.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34097.html

Basically speaking Obama came out and supported a national database to store DNA of anyone arrested. Not those convicted of a crime, but those arrested. If the cops pulled you over and deemed you uncooperative or anything they feel like, they could arrest you and take your DNA and store it. Never mind that you didn't commit a crime nor had been charged. Even so are all crimes worthy of mandatory DNA sample?

Of course the argument is if we can save 1 person then it's worth it. And if you don't break the law you shouldn't worry about having a sample taken from you. Sure it starts there, but when you give them the right to take our DNA you are subject to corrupt politicians and law enforcement agents. Perhaps it is all well-intentioned in the beginning, but what happens 5 or 10 years down the road?

Over time we have given up much freedom in the name of safety. Look at 9/11 and the Patriot Act that resulted in the name of fighting terrorism. Perhaps it's only been used for legitimate terrorist threats, but perhaps some boundaries have been overstepped. Do you think the government is going to tell us?

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" Benjamin Franklin (1759)

It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once. David Hume (1711-1776)

There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty. John Adams (1735-1826)

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined. Patrick Henry (1736-1739)

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

I'm just curious to know what you think? Do you think this is a big deal? Do you agree with it? Are you worried that 10 or 20 years down the road someone could come after you or your family planting your DNA on a crime scene either to get at you or because you won the unlucky lottery since someone was determined to pin a crime on someone. I know it sounds conspiracy theory, but how much liberty is too much to give up?

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