Free Healthcare?

By Jenny Erikson

There are two types of “free.” Free as in freedom, and free as in beer.

Some things are essentially free. Rainbows, wildflowers, hugs and kisses from loved ones, and sometimes, a beer from a friend who says, “Don’t worry about it, I’ve got this one.”

As Americans, we are free citizens. It’s right there in the Declaration of Independence, a document that laid out the reasons why it was important for the colonies to break away from Britain’s “unwarrantable jurisdiction.” The Constitution lays out our freedoms; we are free to chose our own religion, to speak our minds, to assemble and petition, to own firearms, to raise our children as we see fit, to vote for a representative government, and we are even free to drink that free beer.

There has been a lot of discussion recently about socialized or “free” healthcare being introduced to the United States. Free healthcare? Where in the world are we going to find enough doctors (who, by the way, are trying to pay off an average of $140,000 in medical school debt each) willing to work for free in order to make sure that every American (or illegal immigrant pretending to be an American) has healthcare?

As a stay-at-home-mom, I work my tail bone off everyday. I’m the maid, the nanny, the chef, the chauffeur, the counselor, the life coach, the activities director, the secretary, the referee, and sometimes if my husband is lucky, I’m other things as well. I do it all for free, without being paid, because of my unbreakable and unending love for my family. But as much as I love my family, it is hard to do it all for free. Really hard. So I have to ask myself, “If it’s hard for me to work for free for my family, whom I love and cherish more than anything on the planet, how hard is it going to be for doctors to work for free for people they don’t even know?”

Free healthcare is an impossibility. There is no such thing as free beer. Your friend paid for it. Maybe he did it because it was his turn to buy, or maybe out of generosity or appreciation for your friendship. But he didn’t do it because the bartender said, “Sir, you make twice as much money as this man, so it is only ‘fair’ that you buy his beer for him.”

That’s what our government is trying to do regarding healthcare. It isn’t going to be free, because someone is going to have to pay for it (estimated cost is 1-1.5 trillion dollars over the next 10 years.) Doctors and nurses need to be paid, along with the scientists that develop new drugs, the engineers that build medical equipment, the architects that design hospitals, and even the janitors that keep the toilets clean. Taxes are going to skyrocket. Everything will be taxed, from the CO2 we breath out (double tax if that breath included nicotine), to sodas, and of course, to incomes.

It isn’t going to be free either, with “legislation that would require all Americans to have health insurance, prohibit insurers from refusing to cover pre-existing conditions and place other restrictions on the industry.”

I’m a grown up. I like my freedom. I like choosing my doctor, and I like that doctors can refuse patients. I like being free to choose my car, my vocation, my religion, my food, and my home. I like that all Americans have those freedoms, even if they choose differently than me. It’s precisely that freedom that makes our nation great. An entrepreneur is free to make or improve something, investors are free to fund it, and consumers are free to purchase it.

Our government is sliding down the slippery slope of oppressive power. Obama wants to tell us what to eat, what to drive, how to run our companies, and what medical treatments we may receive. Oh sure, we’ll still have a “choice,” but the taxes will be so crippling that it will “necessarily bankrupt” us. As history has shown us over and over, everybody’s a loser in a tyrannical state. The Cubans aren’t driving 50 year old cars and dying of malnutrition because they like it that way.

Jennie is a conservative Republican chick with a strong opinion and a smart mouth who loves her husband and kids with the ferocity of twenty tigers fighting over a meatball.

Americans Are the Real Naysayers on Healthcare

By Nichole Hungerford

“For those naysayers and cynics who think that this is not going to happen, don’t bet against us...We are going to make this thing happen because the American people desperately need it.” Emphasis not added!

This threatening statement made by President Obama comes amidst a Rasmussen poll demonstrating that as of today, 49% of Americans now at least somewhat oppose the Democratic healthcare reform proposal while 46% are at least somewhat in favor of it. This is a fairly dramatic change from a poll taken just two weeks ago where 50% were for, and 45% were against the proposal.

So, are conservatives winning the argument on this crucial issue? Are people beginning to see through the Obama deception? It is no surprise that in his most recent statements, Obama again exploits the crisis lie, characterizing the state of healthcare as a “desperate need.” In fact, Americans enjoy unparalleled healthcare, the vast majority of Americans are happy with their coverage, and all this with the added benefit of not having to suffer the appalling atrocities of socialized medicine. Of course, none of Obama’s radical agenda would ever stand a chance of being enacted without the guise of a “crisis” obscuring it, which is why he inevitably sounds the alarm on every issue that will expand the power of the federal government and the presidency. At this point, however, it sounds as if Obama is going to have to force this project on an unwilling populace who, let’s be honest Mr. President, are the real "naysayers" on this issue.

Stop the finger pointing!

By Lenice Moynihan

When I think of my father's generation, they seemed more willing to take responsibility for their success and failure. In the present era, blame is the name of the game. Just this week we saw an 88 year old man shooting people at the Holocaust museum and a few weeks back the shooting of Dr. Tiller. In both cases, we see Republicans and Democrats pointing the finger at the other side. Aren't we human beings before we are a political party? The fingers should be pointed at the two people that pulled the triggers. There are fanatics on both sides of the aisle. Let's face it, we all have a couple of crazies hidden in our family trees. When did we stop being human beings that are responsible for the actions we do?

Obama understands this mentality and used it brilliantly to get elected. It is now almost 8 months after the election yet he continues to blame President Bush for our current status. Of course, the American people eagerly agree. This is because we no longer take responsibility for ourselves, our decisions, or our failures. How many advertisements do we see daily with drugs offered for any and all kinds of disorders? We are encouraged to put ourselves in a haze instead of dealing with our problems and those of our country. This government perpetuates this by offering us a nanny state that will solve all our problems. We have become an underpowered people by refusing to be responsible for our own mishaps, trials and poor decisions.

How is it that Obama blames President Bush for any and all disconnects but readily pats himself on the back for any success? To be honest, I have seen no success. Obama seems to believe his own rhetoric and has no interest in facts. Just like our inability to accept responsibility it seems we also have become accustomed to lying and cheating. Our government only mirrors us.

To be the powerful country we once were we must get back to our roots. This means we must accept both our successes and our failures. We must understand that each person is responsible for his actions, reactions and decisions. The era of finger pointing must come to an end. We are supposed to be evolving as a species not devolving. What will it take for America to get its integrity back?

Are We Headed Toward Socialism or Are We Already There?

There are many people, mostly on the right, that have felt that President Obama would take this country in the direction of socialism. For those liberals who enjoy visiting my site, I am sure you are laughing at that statement. However, I would like for you to consider a few things.

This past election season made it very apparent that although we do not have state owned television stations, they are now state run. The press are no longer objective questioners of the government looking out for the people. Instead they are a cheer leading section for the President and the Democratic party.

As the financial "crisis" loomed, even President Bush threw free market enterprise out the window. President Obama looks to continue with that direction. The next step with the TARP funds is a gigantic leap towards nationalizing our banking system. When you begin to interfere with how private companies operate their businesses, you are making a choice away from the free market system and heading towards socialism.

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) was interviewed this past week and stated that the so-called Fairness Doctrine was being discussed and would most certainly make a return. She stated that radio stations must be held accountable for their content. Again, this is a private industry that is being told what they can and cannot share with their public audience.

Health care reform has been a project of the Democratic party for generations. It appears that this may have a chance at becoming a reality. No one disagrees that we should help people receive affordable health care coverage, but it's how we chose to make that happen that divides us. Within the new stimulus package, it appears that some of the first steps toward nationalized health care are already in the works.

Finally, one last thought to consider. In the state of Oregon, lawmakers are struggling to meet budgets. Instead of looking to cut costs, there is actually a bill in the works that would tax drivers on how many miles they drive. How exactly would the government know how far you drive? The state government would require that you install a GPS device on your car that would tell the gas pump how many miles you have driven and tax you on the amount. The government would actually have a way to track your every move.

If state run television. nationalize banking, nationalized health care, silencing the opposition, and tracking it's citizens isn't socialism, then you would also enjoy living in China. I hear they are hiring.

President Obama Tries to Back Door Republicans in the Senate

In the November elections, the Democrats fell just short of their goal to have a filibuster proof majority.  The still undecided race in Minnesota has left them one vote short of passing some of the most radical legislation in the country's history.

Unfortunately for the Republicans, they may have just found a backdoor to the majority they so desperately seek.  Rumors are flying around Washington that President Obama may in fact nominate New Hampshire Republican Senator Judd Gregg for Commerce Secretary.  

If the Senator accepts the nomination, it would leave his current New Hampshire Senate seat wide open.  His replacement would conveniently be named by the current Governor of New Hampshire who also happens to be a Democrat.

If Senator Gregg is interested in the position, it could start the battle of the century with his colleagues in the Senate.  There is word that other Senators have already approached the subject with Senator Gregg asking him to decline the position and help provide the opposition in the Senate.

It is clear by this back door method and the Presidents approach to this stimulus bill that he has no problem bringing Chicago politics with him to the White House.  If you can't pressure the opposition into siding with you, find other ways of eliminating the problem.  That kind of sounds like some of his campaigns in Chicago.

Doesn't sound like much change there!

McCain to Vote No on Obama's Stimulus Package

Many Republicans have been watching former Presidential Candidate, John McCain to see if he would return to his "mavericky" ways and begin to partner with his new buddy President Obama. It appears now that Senator McCain will be putting a speed bump up in front of that new found friendship.

On Fox News Sunday, Senator McCain calling himself a member of the loyal opposition stated that he could not support the bill as it is now written.  Senator McCain does not believe that the stimulus bill will do enough to put people back to work.

McCain also stated that he will work to have President Obama extend President Bush's tax cuts most of which were geared toward the wealthy.  President Bush's tax cuts are set to expire and President Obama has signaled that he will allow them to do so or even end them early.

McCain who has often worked on the side of Democrats in the past earning him the "maverick" title appears to be standing by his party on the stimulus issue.  However, it leaves open the question of where will the President and the Senator find common ground.

Obama: I Could Lose Re-election....

President Barack Obama met today in a private meeting with Democrats and Republicans to discuss the economic stimulus package and planned tax increases on the rich. After a debate over tax policy, President Obama announced that his plan would triumph because as he puts it, "I won."

President Obama as well as Harry Reid gave the impression after the meeting that in fact both parties were closer on the issue than the public realizes. (Now, that 's a scary thought.) Obama told participants that it was time to rise above typical partisan differences and warned of the dangers if the White House and Congress don't work together.

According to Fox News Major Garrett, President Obama also showed concern about how failure to pass his stimulus bill may impact future Congressional races and even his own re-election possibilities.

"We're all political animals, we've all got political bases," the president is reported to have said. "If we don't get this done we (the Democrats) could lose seats and I could lose re-election. But we can't let people like Rush Limbaugh stall this. That's how things don't get done in this town."

If there was any doubt that the decisions President Obama is making are politically motivated, this is proof-positive he will be a poll-driven President. It took the President four days in office to mention concern for his own re-election. In the same breath, he informs Republicans to no longer follow the advice of talk radio host, Rush Limbaugh.

The most concerning information for conservatives that has come from this meeting is the fact that Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, stated that the package should pass by mid-February. With his statement, McConnell signaled that Republicans will not seek a filibuster to block the bill guaranteeing that they will cave to the President's plans.

The campaign for 2012 has begun. Democrats 1 Republicans 0.