Society is much more than the state. It is, to borrow a phrase from Edmund Burke, numerous small battalions of families, churches, businesses, fraternities, etc. During the heyday of fraternal organizations, before the Depression, many men joined such organizations for the support they provided their families, such as health benefits and burial coverage. For those who did not have the social status to be Masons, there were other, more working class oriented groups like the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World, as well as ethnic oriented ones like the Sons of Norway or the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Many hospitals carry the names of their religious origins. Although the Protestant denomination or Catholic order that founded a particular hospital may no longer manage the institution, the name is reflective of their origin as non-profit, charitable institutions.
The Christian journalist, Marvin Olasky, wrote a book, The Tragedy of American Compassion, which outlines how private charity, church groups, etc., took care of the indigent and the sick with little or no government intervention. Since the days of Franklin Roosevelt, we have suffered increased government takeover of this area as the voters learned that organized looting under color of law is more profitable than having to spend their own money for goods and services. It is fortunate that these statists and socialists have not entirely crippled the productivity and ingenuity of Americans. If and when that point is reached, our economy will go into an irreversible decline, as happened with Spain in the 18th Century and England in the 20th Century.
America needs a leader who will start unshackling this nation from the chains of big government and massive state intervention. It needs him sooner, not later.
That response was reasoned and eloquent.
Our younger generations are so used to the government teat that I fear we are already on the irreversible decline. It frightens me to see some of the responses to this issue from those who call themselves FreeRebulicans (or Republicites whatever.)
When those, who call themselves conservative, don't grasp the simple concepts you've outlined, we're doomed - doomed I tell ya!
Respecting 222, what would you do for a society who has not the responsibility to pay for their own health care? Who pays? Do we just drag dead and dying corpses out to a pit and toss them in?
Medical care was but a small segment of the economy just 50 years ago. It is now averaging 18% I think and over 22% in states like Massachusetts where the best hospitals and doctors are located. Charity is a good way to pay but what if it doesn't cover the costs of care? Do we ration care and to whom?
The whole point of this legislation is to apply some responsibility to the recipient of the care that is offered by society. I think that is a good thing, and over time, we all will think that is better than a state run, socialist system of universal care.