What a weekend it’s been in the health care debate. We learned from James McGovern (D-MA) via our local political observer that the Republicans actually wrote the Democratic health care bill. And in a Sunday editorial, our local paper castigates Scott Brown for his health care position, forgetting that he is representing the wishes of 1,168,107 Massachusetts citizens who resoundingly elected him to office.
It is too easy to forget what the problem is and how we got here. The problem, simply put, is that health care costs have been skyrocketing because there is no price information flowing between consumers and suppliers. That came about when the government froze wages during WWII and firms competing for workers offered paid health insurance instead of raises. It’s been downhill ever since and Democrats think the cure is massively greater government intervention.
Consider an individual citizen’s support hierarchy, i.e., where does the responsibility lie for our health, wealth, well-being and happiness? The Republicans think it looks like this (from most to least responsibility):
1. Self
2. Family
3. Charities and churches
4. Local and state government
5. Federal government
Now turn that list completely upside down and you have the Democrats’ view.
Scott Brown, in his 3/13 GOP radio address, said "Somehow, the greater the public opposition to the health care bill, the more determined they seem to force it on us anyway." That is no mystery at all, given that the Democrats see us as the weak, ignorant, helpless masses, who need a benevolent autocracy providing and guiding our destinies. No thanks.
