Despite Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi promising President Obama that health care reform would be on his desk in the White House before the House adjourns for their August break, a group of conservative Democrats, the Blue Dog Coalition, seem to be a major roadblock to her commitment.
It is interesting that with each new story that is released a little bit more information finally comes forward.
This morning I asked in my blog how much money would be raised by taxing those individuals who earn $200,000 (couples, $250,000) and, lo and behold, a number comes forth: $100 Billion. Great, one answer down. That’s $10 Billion a year if the projections are accurate and hold up over time.
Then again, I could not help but laugh when I read that some Democrats actually want the Government to compete with private businesses in the sale of insurance. But it is not that funny. In fact, that one really frightens me.
Are we to believe that our Government, which does not have a great track record in meeting budget obligations, should be allowed to compete in the open marketplace for products and services? What’s next, will we have a proposal for a chain of Uncle Sam’s Gas Station/Convenience Stores?
At least Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) voices one of the main concerns that I have repeatedly stated, there are not enough cost containment measures included in the current legislation.
Let’s face it, if there are not enough factors to control costs and if the revenue estimates are shy of the projections what will result is an absolute calamity.
But wait, according to news reports, “officials” have other brilliant suggestions.
One of the ideas would be to levy “fees” on insurance companies or perhaps the drug industry. Do our elected officials not understand that if the cost of a product or service goes up, whatever the reason, the cost of that product or service increases to protect the bottom line.
That fact is not only something taught in college in a very basic business class, but, as an example, I learned that specific point when I was 16 working in a Texaco station. When the cost increased from a distributor on a tire or an oil filter, we adjusted our retail prices accordingly to maintain a certain markup percentage.
That is standard operating procedure for any business.
Another idea is to allow states to issue health care bonds. With the economic problems many states are currently facing at present, with no signs of relief readily in sight, is this where investors will want to risk their hard-earned money? Doubtful.
Of course, they would probably be “government insured,” meaning that Main Street USA will ultimately pay if the state cannot.
That seems to be the sticking point in all of this.
Whether it be through direct or product and service taxes or by way of increased prices paid for goods and services due to company costs increasing, Main Street USA will ultimately be paying for every penny of the $1-plus Trillion health care system.
Regardless of how our representatives try to paint the picture, that is how it really turns out.
I have to keep reminding myself of what Patrick Henry believed: "The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
And, right now, there is not enough restraint.
At least there are some Democrats and Republicans who seem to be asking the hard questions on this nationalized health care issue. And there are no good answers coming forth.
Over For Now,
Main Street One
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