Jon and I were slightly depressed to read that the Obama administration passed its health care reform bill. I agree that providing health care to more people, along with reining in insurance companies is necessary, but can our economy really afford to spend yet another near trillion dollars during one of the worst recessions in history?
After hours spent reading news articles and expert opinions, I must say I'm more confused than reassured about the health care bill. Most Democrats laud it while all Republicans and some Democrats condemn it. Experts say it will eradicate billions of dollars of deficit over the next 10 or 20 years. Other experts say there are no caps on costs, so costs will spiral out of control. Premiums will go up; premiums will go down. This is an historic step forward; this is a governmental party out of control. How is the average American (or permanent resident) supposed to find out the truth amongst all the smoke and hype? And so I reiterate and add to my question...where has all the honesty gone? Why is it almost impossible to find politicians who don't have a personal agenda? Why can't we work together instead of pointing fingers and calling names? What happened to doing what's best for the country even when it's hard and will make people mad?
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I think one of the things that makes me most upset about the passing of this bill is the extra "stuff" that was added, or the extra incentives for states/senators/reps that voted for it. If they wouldn't vote for it without a perk of some sort, it was obviously not worth voting for. And why the rush? Is it because democrats are worried they wouldn't have a majority in November come election time? And why can't we, the American People, the people this bill is going to effect, understand what it means? Why can't we get straight answers? And why would they have gone through with it when there is so much opposition?
I have always been amazed at how congress functions. They are not named progress on purpose and when they don't do anything I am often happier. I am always amazed at how Congress creates a band-aid instead of addressing the infection. The whole reason that people want something done about health care revolves around increasing cost. So Congress increase coverage and addresses some social inequalities, but the accountant in me can't get over the costs. When do we reduce the cost of health care?
One cost area I feel strongly about deals with doctor's liability. I really feel that doctor's fear of a lawsuit drives many of the costs (more tests, specialists, and higher malpractice premiums). Yet nothing gets done on this front. I have to think malpractice lawyers lobbied Congress at our expense.
While I understand many of the difficulties facing those not in a group plan, I really feel we are missing the boat. When do we start reducing the cost of health care so it becomes affordable?
You remember in the movie "Dave" when he brings in his own accountant and starts eliminating stupid costs? That's what I wish we could do with the government. Bring someone in who looked at the government as a business - and was paid to keep us in the black. There is no sense of fiscal responsibility. No business person would ever agree to the health care bill right now just based on our financial state.
Well Steph, it's official...you're an American-you have blogged about the government (and your dissatifaction with it). We'll miss you! ;)
What can I say? When in Rome...
Besides, who wouldn't be dissatisfied with American government and health care after leaving Alberta? And with the American education system, for that matter.
Stephanie, what a loaded question! I thought about answering it many times but I felt like I was addressing symptoms and not the root cause. I also worried that my response might be beyond the intentions of your question or might put off your readers. But your question begs for a cause and effect answer.
Complete honesty in a two-party system is difficult achieve and maintain. When the beliefs, ambitions, and goals of the parties and their individuals become more important than the means of achieving them, then a little deception and misinformation is viewed as an necessary and acceptable political tactic.
In the short run, a little political deception and misinformation works to create governing efficiencies, i.e., we need to spin to achieve the greater good according to our beliefs, or the people are not smart enough to understand what is best for them, or we don't have a political climate that will allow for reasonable debate, etc.
In the long run, deceptions are discovered and voter mistrust of the political system grows. Over time, mistrust polarizes the entire political landscape and politicians are further justified to use deceptions and misinformation.
We are now witnessing the cumulative effect of generations of a deceptive government programs and policy on both sides of the aisle. We cannot trust our political system because there is no moral integrity and that is the definition of corruption. This is why we cannot get straight answers. This is why a bill that no one understands got through with little opposition.
We can debate this issue till the millennium, and we probably will. The best answer to why this is happening is 1 Nephi 13:10-19; 30 and 14:1-7.
Steph, as a one-time visitor to Alberta, I saw, the beauty of your province. As I told you before, that alone made a citizenship switch tempting..
Aside from what I saw, I don't know much about Alberta so when I read your comments about dealing with the American systems after leaving Alberta, I learned more about Alberta. It seems you do have something to crow about. Here are some interesting facts about your province:
Alberta has the second most free economy of all of Canada and the US states. Alberta is the size of Texas but only has a population 3.29M which is less than one of the least populated states, Connecticut with 3.7M. Alberta has the strongest economy in Canada. Median family income is $71,000 US, 61% higher than the rest of Canada. The US is median family income is near $50,000. Alberta is the second highest natural gas exporter in the world and with oil production driving low taxes, revenue for natural resources per person is phenomenal. The 85+% of the population lives in urban areas making transportation and distribution costs more affordable. 87% of the population of European/British origin. Health care accounts for 36% of the provincial budget which is offset by oil and natural gas revenues.
I could go on but the point is that Alberta is one of the best kept secrets in the world. They support the rest of Canada and still have enough left over to fund health care and live quite well.
Huzzah for Alberta!
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