Subject:
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Re: What happened?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Tue, 29 Jun 1999 02:09:58 GMT
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Viewed:
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727 times
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"Christopher L. Weeks" wrote:
>
> Thomas Main wrote:
> >
> > Unfortunately, many people are not in a position to pay the outrageous
> > premiums insurance companies require. And even if people do want to
>
> Gosh, I've found that insurance is quite affordable. What's the scoop?
> Oh, maybe it's because I've chosen an employer with a good package of bennies.
Well, I am also fortunate in that regard because I work for the State of
North Carolina. Now, I live in a small town in the Appalachian
mountains of NC that just happens to have a university in it which isthe
area's largest employer. However, most private employers in this area
do not offer benefits or decent wages to their employees for a variety
of reasons. Our labor force consists of student workers, non-unionized
skilled labor, and a majority of the people work in service or tourist
industries. Employers find that they can hire part-time, temporary
labor without providing health insurance or other benefits to their
employees. Health insurance through group plans at work are a good idea
- the government can provide quite a large "group plan" to take care of
the uninsured that private industry ignores. Why is this a problem?
>
> > here to serve the people. Government, on the other hand, is here to
> > serve the people. The government has a responsibility to provide access
>
> I thought government was here to perpetuate itself at the expense of the
> rest of us.
>
> > to health care and insurance when insurance companies and hospitals
>
> We disagree.
We disagree about the role of government - ok - but let's imagine a
world in which government can spend responsibly, be large enough to
service its citizenry and provide a check for big industry without being
bloated and self-perpetuating for the sake of itself. Let's trim
*unnecessary* government while growing and improving government in other
areas.
>
> > won't. This does not mean that private insurance and medical treatment
> > will disappear, or even that it will diminish. Normally, you get what
> > you pay for - and that will keep private doctors and hospitals and
> > insurance companies swimming in money. But for those that need a
> > minimum level of support - they should be able to look to their
> > government for subsidizing their health care needs. The government
>
> In all cases? It just burns me up that lung cancer is covered by
> medicaid. Why should I have to pay for a bunch of other peoples' bad decisions?
I agree to some extent - I can't believe the government is sucessfully
suing tobacco companies to cover this additional expense. Let's pay
people for good decisions by supporting health education programs in
schools and out - health care is focusing more and more on preventive
medicine. Give incentives (tax or otherwise) to people who practice
good health by not smoking, or join a gym, etc.
>
> > supports libraries, museums, and artists for the intellectual health of
> > its citizenry. It should support basic universal health care for its
> > citizens also. After all, the people give their tax dollars, patriotism
> > - some even give their lives - for the government.
>
> My tax dollars are taken by force. I don't give them anything. When
> it's giving there is choice implicit. Since they'll come to your house
> and kill you, it's more akin to extortion.
But the government provides you with roads, law and order, emergency
relief and support and other benefits without your having to ask for
them. We live in a large, complex society which must be supported
somehow. What's the alternative? A government that collects no tax
can't provide *essential* services. We must be personally responsible,
yes. But we must also be responsible for the greater society.
> my $.02.
>
> --
> Sincerely,
>
> Christopher L. Weeks
> central Missouri, USA
--
Thomas Main
main@appstate.edu
Webpage: http://members.xoom.com/brickenplate/index.html
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: What happened?
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| (...) Is that fortune or decision? (...) There are more than 50,000 IT jobs open right now, people could get skills and then get jobs that do provide those bennies. If people in your area started doing that, then either the tourism industry would (...) (25 years ago, 29-Jun-99, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: What happened?
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| (...) Gosh, I've found that insurance is quite affordable. What's the scoop? Oh, maybe it's because I've chosen an employer with a good package of bennies. (...) I thought government was here to perpetuate itself at the expense of the rest of us. (...) (25 years ago, 28-Jun-99, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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