Wednesday, November 11, 2009

HEALTHCARE…GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT OR PRIVATIZED
By Lynne Weaver
Someone once told me that I am very analytical and to the point and since that may or may not be positive reinforcement, I try to choose my words carefully rather than forcefully. That being said, where the heck do some people come up with their opinions? Is it just me or does the debate on healthcare between the public sector and government do more to confuse than help? I might as well get in on the discussion since it seems to be the highlight of everyone’s day lately.

It seems that those who hated the idea of healthcare reform have now adjusted their thinking to only the idea of a governmental takeover of all healthcare providers. Admittedly, I am addicted to the ‘news’. Although it may not be the most accurate source of a random sampling, opinions matter to me, so much of my time is spent in the comment section of news sources, reading and responding with my own thoughts. Where in all of this, is there any proof that government is going to take over all private insurers and that Americans will be forced to join a government run public option?

Avoidance of having to read the healthcare bill in order to form an educated opinion is why most of us rely on elected representatives to do that for us. It’s not as if most of us would have a clue of what we are reading if we did take the time, so putting our trust in those we elected is what we are left with. Trouble is, they are attached to that word ‘Politicians” and they are a group who are sometimes expected to speak louder on behalf of very large groups, like insurance providers.

We hear comments like “keep the government out of insurance” or “government should stay out of our business”, but aren’t they already there? What if government did just that? What if they said, “Okey Dokey, we are shutting down all government involvement in the private lives of the American citizens.” So what happens if they shut down Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, government jobs, and government contracts to privately owned companies? What will happen to the Armed Forces? Won’t bank and postal employees be a little upset when they have to work on non-government holidays?

If we shut down the government, we won’t have to pay taxes, but who will fix the roads and build the bridges? Will private citizens have to hold meetings to deal with contractors, secure loans and make payments? We will have to learn to speak for ourselves since we won’t need elected officials to do it for us, but who will we speak to? Who do we complain to about anything and everything or blame when things don’t go our way? Anyone will be able to own a gun and there won’t be Homeland Security to protect us from terrorists?

Perhaps we should think this through more carefully. I kind of appreciate government playing a role in my life.

Your comments are welcome. Email me: lynne.mackbands@yahoo.com

No comments:

Our right to make changes through referendum is the one voice we have left....use it.