A letter to Voices on 01-13-2008 written by a resident of Mountain View, Arkansas asked why it is so hard for the nation to provide health care for all. Then he wanted to what had to happen to make us care for each other. Lastly, he wanted to know why we aren’t united on health care. The three questions require three integrated answers.

First, the writer has a considerable disconnect about terms. Health care is provided for all who need it whether the individual has health insurance or not. It is suspected that he means health insurance and if that is true, the United States is the people. What is actually being proposed is that the government (taxpayers, the rich taxpayers as defined by the government) should pay for health insurance. It is only natural that those who must foot the bill for government (taxpayers) provided insurance don’t like being forced to provide for others, especially in view of the fact responsible people take care of their own needs without depending on others.

If the writer would look around, he would find that there are charitable organizations that help people with pressing medical needs.  Further, most health care facilities will work with the patient to create a schedule for the payment of the cost. But it remains a fact that advanced planning with the procurement of health insurance will eliminate the need to depend on the government which akin in some respects is depending on the bank burglar to keep the burglary alarm functioning properly. Anyone who thinks the government is going to make sure that everyone has their needs met isn’t connected with reality. People who don’t know the patient and whom the patient doesn’t know won’t take a personal interest in the treatment no matter how compassionate the politicians make it sound.

The government can’t make us care for each other. The politicians can pass laws that force the taxpayer to pay the health care costs, but it is folly to think that the faceless bureaucracy can make millions of people care about others whom they don’t know. While it is true that no harm should be wished on anyone, it is equally true that others aren’t responsible for those who receive harm, become ill, or otherwise need health care for whatever reason. Though the Bible tells us in Galatians 6:10 (As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.) the scriptures leave the decision up to the individual concerning the doing of good to all men. Time, place, and means will determine the help that can be given without force being exerted as is the method of government. One size fits all when the government (Congress) pushes itself upon the citizens (taxpayers) to do “good” to all.

It is doubtful that the majority of citizens would deny that all who need health care should be able to receive it and are united on that belief. What they aren’t united on is who should pay for the care. Those who believe in the government supplied “nanny” who will hold their hand in time of trouble are pushing for mandated government supplied care. It is always interesting to learn the ideology of those who promote care by the government.  Generally, they are liberal Democrats, atheists, or others who know little of the constitutional limits on government. Sadly, they couldn’t care less as long as someone else pays the bill for them.

Tragically, it appears that few really understand that when the government gives special consideration to things and people outside the scope of the delineated powers given to government, liberty is diminished each time it occurs. But it seems that those who clamor for government supplied “goodies” don’t care that liberty is diminished for all as a result of their demands, with more government control the natural consequence of the demands. A free people can’t unite in any manner on a plea for enslavement, called tyranny.

01-13-2008 DEC