House Democrats’ Healthcare Reform Plans Are Unconstitutional

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R.L Schaefer of CA wrote: "David, instead of railing about "wasting" money keeping humans alive why don't you protest the billions of dollars spent trying to save dolphins and whales, Condor chicks, tigers, eagle and tortoise eggs, salmon, snowy plovers, Delta Smelt, on and on... All this while people suffer and die. Absolute madness...."
You and I are on the same page about the billions of dollars spent trying to save dolphins, whales, etc. I agree, and was trying to keep the issue in context of expenditure with regard to health care.
But, I'm at a loss, to try and understand your philosophy. It sounds like you want to have your cake and eat it too. I agree it would be ideal to have health care so that anyone and everyone can have access while, at the same time, making it "free" to the extent it lessens the impact on others.
But the sad reality is that will never happen. People get sick, people suffer, and people die. That is reality. There is no way to spin it otherwise. Some of it, indeed most of it, is self-inflicted. So, when it's self-inflicted I lose my compassion.
You wrote: "Your statement is callous and demeaning. Their occupation, nationality, immigration status, or income have absolutely nothing to do with their rights as human beings. If they are sick they need treatment - not left to die in the "strawberry fields". This notion of caring is not about "playing God", but rather about being human and trying to do the "right thing" by those who are suffering, regardless of their legal status or income."
Understand, I'm not writing to win a popularity contest. I'm calling a spade a spade. I don't know of many bankers, lawyers, doctors who illegally immigrate to the United States. So the stereotype is fitting . . . don't try and spin it as something else.
Explain to me why you think injustice should be used to meet injustice? While your at it, explain why, in your book it's ok for the mercy to rob justice?
The pathos arguements are emotionally appealing, but they're logically weak and unrealistic.
Also, the compassion I sense from you is virtuous and noble, and I believe legitimate.
Compelling compassion through force and legislation takes the benefit of virtue and nobility out of compassion.

david of ID 2:37PM March 22, 2010

R.L. Schaefer of CA is right, our cheap labor that puts most the food on our tables is not disposable and deserves health care. Yes it is, health care is a human right. What's the use of health care for any of us if you're willing to allow smallpox, bubonic plague and maybe some other airbourne epidemics in the barrios just across the tracks from your gated suburbs, david of ID. Last I recall we stole, swindled and conquered the profitable half of the US from our Hispanic neighbors to the south. I'm for opening up the borders like it used to be, let migrant labor come and go from US to work and go home when they're done. Hell, Mexicans will gladly go back home for free their health care in their country, and who wouldn't rather winter in Mexico anyway.
If nothing else, david of ID, health care of labor doing all the work secures our food supply.

Thomas of MT 2:59PM March 20, 2010

David you wrote, "We have people wanting better health, to live longer, take away the pain of consequence (costs/effort/sacrifice). Why? So they can live three more years longer and cost the taxpayer a million dollars? We spend dollars to save dimes. Let's see, after 40 years of life their accumulated earnings are $200,000, but we'll spend 10 times that to keep an illegal alien breathing for a few more years; those strawberries need picking."
I do not approve of the situation on our southern border. I have written extensively on the need to absolutely secure the border and deport those illegals who have been here under 5 years. Fine those who have been here longer - and make them legal "Residents" - but do not give them an automatic path to citizenship. However, they are human beings - even if here illegally.
Your statement is callous and demeaning. Their occupation, nationality, immigration status, or income have absolutely nothing to do with their rights as human beings. If they are sick they need treatment - not left to die in the "strawberry fields". This notion of caring is not about "playing God", but rather about being human and trying to do the "right thing" by those who are suffering, regardless of their legal status or income.
David, instead of railing about "wasting" money keeping humans alive why don't you protest the billions of dollars spent trying to save dolphins and whales, Condor chicks, tigers, eagle and tortoise eggs, salmon, snowy plovers, Delta Smelt, on and on... All this while people suffer and die. Absolute madness....

R.L. Schaefer of CA 1:17PM March 17, 2010

“Paygo: Democrats approve pay-as-you-go legislation”
February 01, 2010, 5:03AM
http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2010/02/paygo_democrats_approve_pay-as.html

Bill Hedges of MO 12:20AM March 17, 2010

I wouldn't say I'm a libertarian. I just don't buy the pathos appeal and argument. For every sob story, there is an equal story about someone who made something out of nothing.
It's not about survival of the strong. I've was quick to point out that there are government programs specifically for the physically/emotional incompetent and disabled.
You wrote: "we the people" do make many provisions for the protection and welfare of the community; common defense, fire and police protection, a court system, roads, parks, schools etc..
Of course, and those provisions (in theory) are supposed to be designed so that all are equal partakers in the benefit regardless of class/status and typically involve a service that we as individuals are incapable of providing on an individual basis and all pay for the service equally (supposedly). That then becomes the function of government.
We have people wanting better health, to live longer, take away the pain of consequence (costs/effort/sacrifice). Why? So they can live three more years longer and cost the taxpayer a million dollars? We spend dollars to save dimes. Let's see, after 40 years of life their accumulated earnings are $200,000, but we'll spend 10 times that to keep an illegal alien breathing for a few more years; those strawberries need picking.
Do you want to make that decision? You, R.L. Shaefer are a smart man. As smart as you are, you can't possibly play God. I'll even contend that you know a thing or two about supply and demand. You know as well as I that we could never supply this nation with enough doctors/hospitals, clinics, specialists, etc to keep-up with demand. Limited supply of dollars and endless demand for service (there are a lot of hypochondriacs). You and I both know the result. Waiting lines, poor service, incompetent doctors, limited or no testing, generic drugs, lack of coverage meaning somebody dies., etc.

david of ID 6:43PM March 16, 2010

Its easy for some political hack to pull some conservative lawyer out of some drunk tank and get him to say anything against the Democratic majority trying to get something done. Obstructionist gridlock sucks. Republicans are garbage who never seem to be able to quit their lies and deceit. It time to get beyond this wingnut zombie hustle.
Of course, the Majority in Congress can pass laws and should pass Healthcare Reform.

Randy J of TX 6:15PM March 16, 2010

I respect your opinion and often agree with your postings. However, your argument entirely falls apart in your last paragraph when you equate basic health care to providing a luxurious estate in the country.
As I said, we are Americans and should be able to find a middle ground. And, as I previously pointed out, the Obama Plan is not the answer - but that doesn't mean we need to adopt a "survival of the fittest" mentality as our default position.
Further, "we the people" do make many provisions for the protection and welfare of the community; common defense, fire and police protection, a court system, roads, parks, schools etc..
This argument could go on and on - but certainly public health is as important as public education. And unlike, public education, health care will be paid for on a sliding scale based on income. Further, I note that my children are home schooled and I still pay many thousands of dollars each year in taxes for "public education" for which I derive no tangible benefit.
David, you speak of Libertarian dogma while people suffer and die. I speak of being able to find real world solutions that aren't based on purist ideology - right or left.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 5:38PM March 16, 2010

This push by Democrats to force Healthcare down our throats sickens me. Maybe Obama, Pelosi and Reed should just burn the constitution on national television! Comrade Obama and his minions have displayed there idea of CHANGE and couldn’t care less about what the American people want. Vote these criminals out of office. The nation needs to send a clear message to Washington in November. Freedom isn’t free and Americans will fight for it as we’ve done in the past. God bless America.

Bud of GA 3:37PM March 16, 2010

You make some great points and you are polite, thoughful, but get your point across. Good posts.

david of ID 3:21PM March 16, 2010

For those of you that are commenting that everyone has the right to pursue the american dream and it is up to them to do the right thing- I don't think that we can assume that everyone in America who does not have health insurance is on welfare, on drugs, a criminal, etc... what about all the people who have been laid off these last few years that are having a tough time finding new jobs or full time work that provides health coverage? What are they supposed to do? They may have been laid off through no fault of their own- do you extend your arguement to them too?

dakota of NJ 3:14PM March 16, 2010