Obama Care Increases

[PaulS]

It is a penalty for not enrolling.

I thought Repubs. where about personal responsibility - I guess not when it comes to abortion.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by PaulS

It is a penalty for not enrolling.

I thought Repubs. where about personal responsibility - I guess not when it comes to abortion.

One could argue that forcing someone to purchase something, goes against core conservative principles. But we force drivers to buy insurance, because we all have a vested interest in making sure that those we share the road with, have adequate insurance.

I think a similar case can be made with health insurance. I don't think anyone - ANYONE - should suffer long-term financial hardship because of health issues they have no control over (issues from obesity or smoking are a whole other matter, that's the result of choice, for the most part). To me, it seems very fair to spread the cost of un-preventable, lifelong catastrophic health issues, among all of us.

"I thought Repubs. where about personal responsibility - I guess not when it comes to abortion"

Can't imagine what you mean by that. Being opposed to abortion is perfectly consistent with the notion of holding people accountable for their actions - if you are healthy and chose to engage in consensual sex, you can deal with the consequences of that choice.

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

One could argue that forcing someone to purchase something, goes against core conservative principles. But we force drivers to buy insurance, because we all have a vested interest in making sure that those we share the road with, have adequate insurance.

That kind of circular reasoning is not an example of principle, conservative or otherwise. Force drivers to have insurance in order to make sure they have insurance--really? I want to force you to give me something to make sure I have that something. Well, yeah, I guess there is a principle involved. The principle of absolute power.

For a Progressive, any "insurance" program is a transitional step to a centralized Federal "universal" program. Eventually, instead of forcing drivers to have insurance, we can transition to having "universal" coverage paid for by the U.S. taxpayer. That will spread the cost, right.


I think a similar case can be made with health insurance. I don't think anyone - ANYONE - should suffer long-term financial hardship because of health issues they have no control over (issues from obesity or smoking are a whole other matter, that's the result of choice, for the most part). To me, it seems very fair to spread the cost of un-preventable, lifelong catastrophic health issues, among all of us.

Exactly. Force everyone to buy health insurance. And when that eventually fails, transition to "universal" government health care.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by detbuch

Exactly. Force everyone to buy health insurance. And when that eventually fails, transition to "universal" government health care.

"Force drivers to have insurance in order to make sure they have insurance--really"

Everyone who drives, has a vested interest in sharing the road only with people who have adequate insurance. I worked in Personal Auto insurance, I've seen what happens to people who are hurt by drivers who don't have adequate insurance. Does the requirement limit freedom? Sure. So does the law that says I can't park in handicap parking spaces, but I don't quarrel about that, either.

"Exactly. Force everyone to buy health insurance. And when that eventually fails, transition to "universal" government health care. "

I make no claim to having any kind of viable solution. But while I was lucky to be born ailment-free, others are not so lucky, and I have no issue with all of us sharing the financial costs of un-preventable medical problems that some are born with. I'd rather pay to treat a little kid born with leukemia, than pay for someone to get food stamps that they trade for beer and cigarettes. That's my Catholicism talking.

[basswipe]

Not sure what abortion has to do with my thread title but this is exactly the kind of entertainment I was hoping for!

Keep it going ladies and gents!!!