National Healthcare
Is it just a liberal pro and a conservative con? Other countries have fostered a health care plan for its country's people, yet still with these in place, pros and cons still abound. Maybe it is a subject that Americans need to apply to the values we have been taught about our capitalistic society.
I like to think I am a decent guy. I like to think my parents raised me to have a high sense of duty and to distinguish that which is morally right from that which is morally wrong. We as a family had our "disfunctions" as all families do, yet overall, the principles and values held, forming a cornerstone, a cornerstone of values and principles used by a family that existed within a country of capitalism.
Growing up American, we learn many things from both our direct families and society in general. One such lesson is tried and tested by our society endlessly: nothing is free. We say this with pride to describe the freedom we have as a people. We also say this with a sigh to describe the nature of our capitalistic structure in everyday life, one which does not always allow us to purchase and have certain luxuries. In both cases, the statement does hold true.
Money is just money. It is a symbol and a means by which to assign worth. It does not exist unless we allow it to exist, right? Wrong. It exists now on its own accord. In fact, it carries much more than just a numerical amount of legal tender. It is used as a definition of status in society, one that also reflects on the individual in possession of it.
Question: Do you respect the man who ventured into a risky business upstart and struck it rich after putting in hard work? Do you respect the man who inherited a wealth because of his father's or grandfather's fortunate life? The correct answer is the first man; but you knew this because he earned his money and it reflects that fact. The money thereby has value above value, deemed to be because of an intangible human factor.
Nothing is free. Apply that to a dream of national healthcare. Would it have a great value if free? Do we want something free and clear, or are we willing to pay for it because it is something important to us? Americans don't want a free ride, we want a fair deal. We want affordable healthcare. We can't expect not to contribute to an affordable healthcare system, just like we understand we cannot have a government operate without tax money to do so with.
I pay my taxes, so healthcare should already be covered, right? No. Healthcare is a commodity and is no different than say a television set. The government did not give me a TV because I pay my taxes every year. I bought a TV and had the chance to shop for one, one amidst many, all with their own particular price tags and features. Healthcare, unfortunately, doesn't seem to have different price tags. It more resembles a behind-the-scenes monopoly.
Healthcare needs to be more a service and not just a business. If you cannot price-gouge at the pumps then you cannot price-gouge at the hospital. Affordability. More Hippocratic Oath and less dollar bills. Respectability. The government helping to provide the public with the best healthcare possible. Accountability.
I have no answers. Healthcare is a subject for debate. Perhaps we could apply taxes paid by medical institutions and on medical supplies to facilitate a more affordable system? A policy of tax segregation. Whatever the answer, it is quite possibly a problem that must be solved by independents such as The Third Party. The two party system hasn't managed to install anything acceptable, so let us forge a truly just healthcare plan for ourselves and all Americans using our skills as free thinking members of an unbiased political party.
JAMES of The Third Party