It would appear that we have already failed.
Again, we need to be able to explain ourselves.
Explaining isn't the problem. You can explain all you want, but that doesn't mean anybody will listen.
People understand and want freedom. If we've failed to explain how this limits freedom, that's our fault.
Explaining isn't the problem. You can explain all you want, but that doesn't mean anybody will listen.
If people won't listen, bumper-sticker slogans are not going to help. Again, the failure is in explaining why this matters. The GOP did the worst possible job trying to explain this.
I have not found that people won't listen. I have found that people haven't heard a persuasive argument.
This is basically what I've told people, and I've changed more than a few minds:
"Take a look at England to see what happens when the government has a financial interest in your health. Everything comes down to cost. Not freedom, not saving lives. It comes down to money.
In England, we see the government banning what they consider "dangerous" behaviors, foods and activities. It's extremely cost effective to control your life. It's frighteningly easy to pass restrictive laws and collect fines from violators.
It's equally cost effective to deny you coverage when you are a liability instead of a person. England has a lower breast cancer survival rate than many other countries because they strictly limit the types of drugs available to women. It all comes down to cost. You are no longer a person with rights. You are an entry on a balance sheet. Your children are entries on a balance sheet.
There are other dangers, as well. As we've seen in England and other places with universal health care, the government didn't stop with legislating food or dangerous behaviors.
In England and Canada, they regulate speech. They regulate your ability to defend yourself. They regulate your relationship with your children. In much of Europe, you have no right to decide how your children are educated.
It all makes sense in a way. Since you've handed over some of the most important aspects of your life - your health - why should the government trust you with the rest of your life?
The freedoms we take for granted, eating what we like, caring for our children, raising our families to believe what we believe; all of that begins to erode the moment we hand over health care to the government. Is that what you want for your children? Is that what you want for their children?"
I agree that we need to do "something" about health care. But "something" doesn't mean handing it over to the government, so that we're no longer people. "Something" doesn't mean that we sell our children's futures.
I have convinced more than one person with the above. It took longer than a few seconds, but most worthwhile things do.