This script is the beginning of several scripts that will question and dispute with MoveOn.Org's ambiguous stances on all things conservative.
MoveOn.Org recently had the Honorable Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) at their Progressive Vision Speeches. On Rep. Brown's mind was universal healthcare. Naturally, Rep. Brown's stance was that America needs to get with the program and pass comprehensive healthcare for all Americans.
Without further ado, Rep. Brown spoke of policymakers who should legislate for the needy and destitute - not for political gain and the rich. Strangely, he's making this speech at MoveOn, which is one of the most powerful and rich lobbyist groups in Washington. Too, Rep Brown raised nearly $2.5 million for his own campaign... so he's not out for political gain or the rich? Seems to me that if he's so concerned about the poor and destitute, couldn't he have raised that money for the poor and destitute of Ohio? Truly, no matter what party these fat-cat politicians are in, it really disgusts me to hear them talk piteously about the poor and destitute as they ride around in limos, live in mansions and eat caviar.
But, dispensing with the unpleasantries, let's talk about universal healthcare!
Fact: Universal healthcare for everyone would cost billions and billions of dollars -- no question. Even Rep. Brown says that 46.6 million people in America are uninsured. So, lets say that on average these 46.6 million people need healthcare this year. Well, you know how much it costs to go to the doctor -- usually at least $100 for the doctor to look in your direction. Let's say each of these people need at least a drug prescription. That's at least another $50. Now, let's just imagine that's it. No one went to the doctor twice. No one had anything worse than strep throat. No one took their uninsured kids to the doctor, either. 46.6 million people only spent $150 of the taxpayer's money. So, that's only $700 million. Fact is, you and I both know that that's a pie in the sky "king of wishful thinking" fairy-tale. After all, who can truly believe that healthcare costs a mere $150 per year for the average citizen? Nobody can. If it did, no one would care about "universal health care" because anyone can afford $150 a year!!!
Fact: Rep. Brown wants the federal government to run universal healthcare. Another social program run by the government? You mean, like the success of say, Social Security? Social Security has done nothing but "tax" the constituency since 1935. The federal government has used it as a slush fund for this and that; running it aground. Fact is, it was never a good idea - it's not the government's place to act as our retirement creditor. Nor is it the government's place to act as our "hospital fund". If it were, then why not as our automobile insurer or portfolio manager? Sound ridiculous? So did universal healthcare fifty years ago! Truth is, government is not a business and therefore cannot manage as such. If it could, we wouldn't be so grossly in the red!
Fact: Universal healthcare is unfair. Think about it: I'm insured, but I have to pay taxes to pay for the uninsured who may or may not choose to be uninsured. Or, I'm uninsured, but my bills tallied only $250 whereas my neighbor's is $2500 but the government pays 90% of both. (Rep. Brown even admits that within Medicaid, 80% of services go to 20% of recipients!) Or, best of all, this fails just as miserably Social Security and our children have to pay for its bailout in thirty years. Let's face it, as nice as it sounds (like Social Security) it's horse manure! There's no way I can believe that this will somehow not only improve our quality of life, but will NOT become a financial nightmare like Workman's Compensation.
Now, how about some of Rep. Brown's comments?
Brown states that we're (US) the wealthiest. Isn't this from the same party that has blasted Pres. Bush's financial policies as if we're on the brink of financial collapse? Did Rep. Brown take a look at our national debt? Did he look at the US dollar compared to the euro? Are you SURE, Rep. Brown?
Brown states that catastrophic health care expenses cause 50% of personal bankruptcy. A shame to be sure, but that only reinforces my earlier statement that the federal government can in no which way, shape or form absorb that kind of debt. Billions and billions could be trillions and trillions! Whereas no one wants to see people go broke over surgery, I certainly don't want an unreasonable program that will make EVERYONE go broke - in this generation or the next! What I find so fascinating in Brown's statements is his continual argument that Republicans want to support the rich, while he touts a program that will cost the taxpayer unknown billions or trillions! What's even more amazing is that what should seem even more obvious (and just as naive) would be to demand that the healthcare industry bring its price of services down to a reasonable level. (I mean, have you ever seen so many drug ads in your life?) Do doctors HAVE to earn six digits? Do pharmacuedical companies really NEED to make bajillions every year? Does a doctor visit REALLY need to cost $100 for a RN to say, "You're fine!" Gee, Rep. Brown, who's supporting the rich here? (Brown actually admits that we pay the most in the whole world for prescription medicine.)
Brown makes some huge generalizations, too, saying that medicine is more expensive for minorities, in so many words. Again, the same tired old leftist remarks, "tax cut for the rich", "hate crime", "fundamentalist", etcetra. These remarks are so classist and segregational! Does Rep. Brown really believe that medical bookkeepers across the nation just add another 5% on the bill of a black man? If he doesn't believe this, then why does he make such irresponsible remarks? If you truly believe in a color-blind society, Rep. Brown, why do you continue to draw the lines (ie. segregate, profile, discriminate)?
Finally, I'm not trying to say that healthcare is fine just the way it is. It's not. What I have a problem with is the WAY we solve the problem. Do we really want the feds to step in? Do we want Democrats or Republicans in control of some broad-sweeping social project? Also, do we really feel its necessary to go to the doc's office EVERY time our toe hurts? Can we try some home remedies? Can we take a couple of aspirin? Can we stop eating horrible junk food, stop smoking and work out a little? Can we check out WebMD or some other online advice BEFORE we go to the ER? I guess I'm trying to say, "Can we try to be a little more accountable to our own personal health?" I've found that in every industry in America that it's controlled by the consumer. The laws of supply and demand say that if demand sinks, then the price of product or service must also sink. I would enjoy nothing more than seeing the multi-trillion dollar pharmaceudical/physician industry get hit by the Rollback Ball.
