Socialized health care makes citizens government-dependent beggars

Published on Sunday, November 8, 2009 2:46 PM MST

Editor:

Let's say there are two students. Student A studies diligently and earns 100 percent on the mid-term test, while student B, not applying himself, earns 60 percent. The socialistic-minded instructor thinks, “If the two scores are averaged, then both students will pass, and student B will feel better." So they each receive 80 percent.

Student A thinks, “If the best I get is 80 percent, that is what I will work for." Student B thinks, “Why study at all? Student A will earn enough for both of us,” so he earns 30 percent on the final. The resulting average is 55 percent; both fail.

Ridiculous? Yes, but it’s happening with our wealth. This simplistic analogy points out two characteristics of human nature; if the reward for effort is taken away, incentive lessens. When one’s needs are freely provided, incentive to produce is also lessened.

Spreading the wealth — by the government — is a lose-lose plan in that most everyone loses some incentive to be productive. The winners are politicians who use taxes to buy votes and build up supporting bureaucracies.

There is no hope for socialized medicine being a success. As history shows, more and more people will take advantage of the system, demanding more comprehensive service — to the delight of many bureaucrats and politicians.

An example is the House’s 2,000-page health bill that is beyond the comprehension of its creators. Fraud, corruption and bureaucratic complexity will increase — creating unlimited opportunities for crooks!

To illustrate: In 1966, the national Medicare cost was $3 billion; in 2008, Medicare and Medicaid cost more than $700 billion. Here in Graham County in 2008, $2,556,706 in property taxes was collected, while the county spent $2,308,000 for the health and defense care of indigents, essentially a trade-off. This was in addition to what the state spent.

Helping those who can’t help themselves (disabled, elderly, handicapped, orphans, etc.) is humane, but helping those who could meet their own needs but don’t is inhumane because it destroys the human spirit.

We are becoming government-dependent beggars. The only solution is for the government to do much less, requiring citizens to do more for themselves.

“A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.”—Thomas Jefferson

Eldon Angle

Safford

Print this story Email this story Post A Comment

Comments

10 comment(s)

AKA Dora wrote on Dec 8, 2009 12:05 PM:

" Jobs are the issue. Job growth will not happen until after BO Health Care is passed, because without great unemployment there is not need. $700 Billion spent with only one job ‘created or saved’ per million? Watch the mystery unfold. "

Russ wrote on Nov 9, 2009 4:16 PM:

" Of course it is not good enough for them. There is not one them who would trade their medical coverage for what we might have. They are higher up the food chain and therefore deserving of better healthcare (ha!) Boot them all out in 2010 and 2012. Virginia and New Jersey should be a wake up call. "

Not Good Enough wrote on Nov 9, 2009 3:48 PM:

" It was interesting to note on Oct. 27, during the ABC Network special on health care, President Obama was asked if he and the congress would be subject to the same health care coverage as everyone else if the new bill was passed. He refused to answer.

However, when certain congressmen were asked the same question, they replied that the "Kennedy Health Care Plan" would exempt them from the new universal plan if enacted.

So, it's good enough for us but not good enough for the boys and girls on The Hill. "

MAZAZ wrote on Nov 9, 2009 3:04 PM:

" I wonder if Mr. Angle is retired and has Medicare coverage? Perhaps he would forfeit it and dish out a minimum of $9000.00/year for insurance. That is if he doesn't have a preexisting condition.

Insurance companies have become the cash cow ... provide little for their coverage while insuring their CEO's reap the $$$ for themselves.

Who continues to vote the do nothing politicians into office ... yes we do, and what do they provide us? NOTHING

Prime example of Arizona do-nothing politicians can be said in two words ... Kyl and McCain. "

Russ wrote on Nov 9, 2009 2:44 PM:

" It is interesting that so many of the senators, on both sides of political spectrum are against the house bill that just passed. In fact, the senator from Conn. has vowed to stop it personally if it contains a "public option." Equally interesting was the 1.2 trillion dollar price tag, which interestingly comes on top of record breaking unemployment and thus a dwindling tax base. No plan covers all Americans. Each plan leaves millions upon millions still without insurance and if you believe the rhetoric, to die. Where's your compassion, Rudy? "

jms wrote on Nov 9, 2009 6:32 AM:

" Very well said! I love the online ad that Catholicvoteaction has on its website. It speaks of health care DMV style and it is quite hilarious. Just think about any govt agency and how frustrating it is to deal with them. Everyone should check it out! "

Pat wrote on Nov 9, 2009 5:45 AM:

" BEAUTIFULLY STATED! "

Free Money wrote on Nov 8, 2009 11:18 PM:

" The slow but steady drift toward socialism isn't anything new. Its been going on for several decades.

For most of the past thirty or forty years the government has created programs which require taking taxes from those who pay and then given to those who don't.

Of course if a tax paying individual doesn't wish to participate in this so-called "voluntary compliance" tax program, then he is immediately branded a "tax protester" while the person receiving the free money is considered "disadvantage."

Same scenario in universal health care. "

teachers dont grade like that wrote on Nov 8, 2009 6:49 PM:

" The property taxes arent used diectly as a whole for any kind of heath care.
I guess you can make up any kind of B.S. to justify looking down your nose at those less fortunate than you,
you have yours so why help others.
what if student A was born out of wedlock and student B was on foodstamps then the teacher BLA BLA

the ansewer you get is IF A FROG HAD WINGS BE WOULDNT BUMP HIS BUTT WHEN HE HOPS "

Rudy Dalpra wrote on Nov 8, 2009 4:40 PM:

" I agree with some of Mr. Angle's worries - that government assistance and services made too readily available can lead to some people taking the easy way out - looking for public assistance.

On the other hand there is a great need for a more universal access to health care. Unfortunately, the industries that provide it have proven themselves to be a big part of the problem, taking advantage of the desperation of those in need of medical services of various kinds, to price themselves virtually out of the market for many people. "

WRITE A COMMENT

READER COMMENTS
* Be respectful of others, the writer and the subjects in the story.

* Be relevant. Keep your comments pertinent to the story that is being discussed.

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All reader comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Eastern Arizona Courier is not liable for messages from third parties. IP addresses can be subpoenaed and your identity established by individuals who have been hurt by your comments.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity: You can be prosecuted for identity theft.
* Comments unrelated to the story.

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in www.eacourier.com reader comments represent the individual's own views and not those of the Eastern Arizona Courier. The Courier does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than Eastern Arizona Courier spokespersons.

Thank you for your comments!