7 Reasons Why Healthcare Reform Must Change Or Die

The almost exclusively DFL plans to overhaul our nation's healthcare system have mushroomed into a major concern for Americans who are interested in preserving liberty and the private sector.

Above the constant liberal din that says healthcare is beyond repair, every once in a while a voice breaks through, as if to say, "Why such a rush?" or "Let's think this through." I have compiled a list of reasons why Obama and the Democrats' current healthcare reform plan will likely not succeed. And if it does, it will likely not only be unpopular with the general public, but a painstaking ordeal for years to come. (In fact, only 20% of the thousands of people reading H.R. 3200 on OpenCongress said they approve of it.)

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
That's not to say our healthcare system isn't without flaws. It is. But they way congress wants to fix healthcare is comparable to tearing down a house - and then rebuilding it with as many complexities as possible on the vacant lot next door - all because it had a plumbing problem. Another thing: Most people will tell you that America's healthcare is the best in the world. Why should we complain about the complexities of our insurance paperwork when some people on the other side of the globe with the worst of diseases can't even see a doctor for months, years, or even at all? If we were to use European nations with universal healthcare as a measuring stick, Americans come out far ahead on things like length of life after diagnosis with a serious disease.
Further reading: Here's a Second Opinion - Hoover Digest

Bureaucrats don't know what real Americans want.
They can't seem to figure out what they want, either. Back in 2003 (then an Illinois State Senator), President Obama said, "I happen to be a proponent of a single payer healthcare system.... and that's what I'd like to see." Barney Frank and other key Democrats share the same opinions. (Video.) However, the Democrats are now willing to give up a single payer or public option plan in order to pass some plan, and some plan, no matter how cumbersome, is better than none at all in their eyes. Early on (about a month ago), a provision in the House bill was found that would have made private insurance illegal. (Editorial.) This prompted much discussion as to what the motives behind the bill really are. It's also of note that all members of congress are on special healthcare plans that would not be affected by a healthcare overhaul. What should they care if they mess it up?

The Current Proposals Have Serious Ethics Problems.
There are provisions in the current healthcare reform bills that support taxpayer-funded elective abortions. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), who delivered thousands of babies as a doctor, explains the situation best on his blog Texas Straight Talk. Furthermore, the end-of-life care aspects of the current proposals are frightening many elderly citizens, some possibly because of Sarah Palin's Facebookings about 'death panels.' Washington was shocked at such a comment (by a newly retired governor, nonetheless), and many members of congress are now in favor of clearing up the matter. If they don't, those up for reelection have reason to run and hide come 2010 because of the size of the senior voting block. In Great Britian, (a single-payer nation, remember) the government has settled on a number to define how much an extra year of someone's life is worth. If that's our goal, we need to reexamine ourselves; America was founded to be different than European nations. Even the AARP is misrepresenting its members, saying it is in favor of Obama's plan while it's a far cry from the truth that a majority of its members are.

The Democrats' rush to pass healthcare reform is dizzying.
If healthcare reform is forced down America's throat - much like a pill it is not meant to take, if you will - the results will not be as pleasant as Washington would like us to think. It can nearly be guaranteed that there will be large problems yet to be mended in any bill which the President might sign, much like the TARP bailouts and the $787 billion stimulus bill, both of which were hastily passed.

If you're going to work on something, finish the job.
The president's sales pitch for healthcare by is taking a week-long holiday: With congress on its August recess, and after a rough week of diplomacy, President Obama and his family jetted off on an Island vacation for a week while the media adored the First Lady's shorts. (The First Lady's shorts, of all things.) It has been reported that the place where the first family is staying rents for $35,000 or more per week (not to mention security costs), and that the Obamas will most likely pick up "a portion" of the cost. It's also of note that $35,000 is about 78% of median household income in the US, according to 2007 data. (Map of Obama's vacation site.)

The people behind healthcare reform are politicians, and politicians are tricky.
Edward Kennedy's (D-MA) health is not the best, and if he worsens, he may not be able to vote. He is trying to get a special measure passed that would allow a politically sympathetic replacement to sit in and vote for him (think a timely turning-up of Tweedledee and Tweedledum - or perhaps Kennedy and Kennedum?).

President Obama rightly blames the GOP for blocking his health plan. But he falsely mainains that they are dead-set against any health plan. (Link) It is true, however, that no Republicans in the 111th Congress have yet voted for any healthcare reform bill.

The public is tired of this fiasco.
The general voting public is growing tired of the tireless talk that uses terms they can hardly take in. (Editorial) They are voicing their disappointment, questions, and even rage at town hall meetings, but for the most part, their representatives, senators, and even President won't listen. How does he respond? By demonizing his opponents in front of a friendly audience, saying they "scare and mislead the American people." (That's his opponents he's referring to, not his cronies.) Barney Frank has recently undermined his own constituents at town hall meetings in his home state.

Conclusion
If you found this post scary, maybe that's a good thing. Because the more you know about the Democrat's healthcare reform plan, the better. You certainly won't hear the bill's problems from the mainstream media. But I think the really scary thing is the idea that a 1,000+ page bill can be passed without a reading of the whole thing, or at least a synopsis. And the bill isn't completely G-rated either, with taxpayer money potentially going towards elective abortions.

The best things we can do are to personally take the time to contact our Senators and Representatives to voice our opinions, and to inform other constituents of the largely outlandish nature of the bill.

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