So Why Don’t We Have It?
Posted: May 31st, 2005 under Politics.
Comments
Comment from Adam
Time Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at 10:14 am
I’d be for eliminating all agricultural subsidies. That would do wonders for developing countries.
Back to health care, it’s about risk-pooling and cost. Even paying for smokers, we’ll all be paying less for health care. We can use the money we save to pay for more preventative measures. Even better, we can tax cigarettes more (that seems to be the one thing that really causes smoking to go down) and use the funds towards the universal health care, thus closing the loop. And it’s good for small businesses, which will help increase competition & diversity and strengthen the markets.
Conversely, we could allow coverage only to people who get 20-30 min. of vigorous exercise 5-6 times a week (and walking doesn’t count), eat 150% of the RDI of fiber, drink 2 or less alcoholic beverages a day, and get yearly checkups. Let me know when you find someone like that. We’re all health risks. We’re better off when we take care of each other.
It’s inevitable, really, it’s just a matter of getting past the kicking and screaming of people who’ve been indoctrinated into the religion of anti-socialist thought.
Comment from Michael
Time Thursday, June 2, 2005 at 9:51 am
I was actually just trying to stoke your goat (I think I just made that one up) but you bit…
First, I’m glad we agree on agriculture subsidies…. Now if I could get you to agree with me on unions… 
As for universal health care, I wouldn’t mind an opt-out option, where government health care is available for everyone at any time but where private companies can still compete for your business. Although maybe that’s how universal health care works everywhere else; I admittedly don’t know much about it. Private health care has issues, such as not treating pre-existing conditions, in many instances. Having a government competitor is sometimes a good thing.
Comment from Adam
Time Thursday, June 2, 2005 at 12:43 pm
Unicorns? You don’t like unicorns? Who doesn’t like unicorns?!
Comment from Michael
Time Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at 8:59 am
Universal health care?!?! Shirley you jest. But if we eliminate all agricultural subsidies, then maybe I can get behind it. As long as my tax dollars don’t go to providing birth control or abortions. And no one who smokes can be covered….