What"s the Declaration of Independence Have to Do With Health Care Reform?
"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness -" this famous phrase from the Declaration of Independence is the corner stone on which our nation was built.
So what does this have to do with health care reform? Being born with these rights suggests that all citizens of this country are to be given equal opportunities to live the life they have been given, freely, and in a way that pleases them so long as their actions do not interfere with the rights of others.
Since a healthy life contributes to happiness some may conclude that health care is a basic right.
However, the Constitution does not promise a happy life rather it clearly states we have the right to pursue happiness.
We must, therefore, make plans and take the actions to attain this goal.
The role of the government is to ensure no outside or internal influences take away our freedom to live.
No matter how well intended, they cannot tell us what to eat or how much to exercise in order to conform to the government's healthy norms.
These well-meaning do-gooders would like to manage our lives and make us just like them.
Haven't they heard of genetics? It's okay to educate us, but don't try to mandate us.
Legislating against or taxing lifestyles violates an individual's right to choose, even if prevention might help improve the nation's collective health.
If this approach worked, no one would use drugs, or drink alcohol to excess, and we'd be a smoke-free nation.
What we need is a bi-partisan approach to the health care issue.
It's an enormous undertaking and fixing it will require more than one pass through this complex system that represents 15% of our annual GNP.
Since 85% of the population has some kind of coverage, maybe we ought to look at those that don't have insurance and address this problem first.
Reforming coverage and costs for those with insurance can be studied and plans made to start implementation when feasible.
Yes, this will take a few years, but the problem has taken decades to reach is current unacceptable state.
The people of this country must realize health care is not an entitlement.
Rather it is something that improves the quality of life, and with that comes a price tag.
We pre-boomers have known this virtually all of our working lives.
Each citizen has the responsibility of participating in their own good health and in working to get the proper health care for their family and them.
It is not the government's job to interfere.
Instead, everyone should be free to make their own decisions about life and choose the health plan that's best for them, under their particular circumstances, and be ready to pay for this right, if not with money then with service.
With everyone having a vested interest in the cost of coverage, chances are we'll respect the way we use it.
One thing the politicians must remember, Americans are willing to pay for what they want.
And, we're not happy about losing what we have.
Therefore, the goal should be to make health care available to everyone, through a yet to be determined program, but not to reduce the coverage of those who already have insurance and are paying for it.
So what does this have to do with health care reform? Being born with these rights suggests that all citizens of this country are to be given equal opportunities to live the life they have been given, freely, and in a way that pleases them so long as their actions do not interfere with the rights of others.
Since a healthy life contributes to happiness some may conclude that health care is a basic right.
However, the Constitution does not promise a happy life rather it clearly states we have the right to pursue happiness.
We must, therefore, make plans and take the actions to attain this goal.
The role of the government is to ensure no outside or internal influences take away our freedom to live.
No matter how well intended, they cannot tell us what to eat or how much to exercise in order to conform to the government's healthy norms.
These well-meaning do-gooders would like to manage our lives and make us just like them.
Haven't they heard of genetics? It's okay to educate us, but don't try to mandate us.
Legislating against or taxing lifestyles violates an individual's right to choose, even if prevention might help improve the nation's collective health.
If this approach worked, no one would use drugs, or drink alcohol to excess, and we'd be a smoke-free nation.
What we need is a bi-partisan approach to the health care issue.
It's an enormous undertaking and fixing it will require more than one pass through this complex system that represents 15% of our annual GNP.
Since 85% of the population has some kind of coverage, maybe we ought to look at those that don't have insurance and address this problem first.
Reforming coverage and costs for those with insurance can be studied and plans made to start implementation when feasible.
Yes, this will take a few years, but the problem has taken decades to reach is current unacceptable state.
The people of this country must realize health care is not an entitlement.
Rather it is something that improves the quality of life, and with that comes a price tag.
We pre-boomers have known this virtually all of our working lives.
Each citizen has the responsibility of participating in their own good health and in working to get the proper health care for their family and them.
It is not the government's job to interfere.
Instead, everyone should be free to make their own decisions about life and choose the health plan that's best for them, under their particular circumstances, and be ready to pay for this right, if not with money then with service.
With everyone having a vested interest in the cost of coverage, chances are we'll respect the way we use it.
One thing the politicians must remember, Americans are willing to pay for what they want.
And, we're not happy about losing what we have.
Therefore, the goal should be to make health care available to everyone, through a yet to be determined program, but not to reduce the coverage of those who already have insurance and are paying for it.
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