Health care debate boils down to freedom vs. totalitarianism

The health care debate has been going on for decades. We’re told, day in and day out, that there’s a crisis and the only way to “fix” the problem is to let the government take control of the United States health care industry. But what it all boils down to is freedom vs. totalitarianism.

First, freedom doesn’t not mean you are free to take something - whether it’s money, time, or services - from your fellow citizens. And totalitarianism; while most notable in Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany; doesn’t necessarily mean we’re following the brutal path of the Soviets or the Nazis. (Although an argument could logically be made that we are.)

Totalitarianism is defined as absolute control by the state or a governing branch of a highly centralized institution. It sure is getting tougher and tougher to argue that the federal government isn’t becoming a totalitarian regime. We have unelected (and highly corrupt) czars running everything from the auto industry to our children’s education and - if the democrats pass a health care bill - health care is next.

To be sure, we will lose freedoms if ObummerCare is signed into law. Everyone screaming about freedom of choice may be happy to be provided with taxpayer-funded abortions, but they won’t be able to choose who provides those abortions. They won’t be able to choose who provides much of their medical care. They won’t be able to choose a cheaper high deductible plan over a more expensive government mandated plan. Those are just a few of the freedoms we will all lose if we allow a government takeover of our health care industry. Having ACORN thugs banging on your door to record your weight and eating habits isn’t exactly conducive to freedom and liberty.

The President and other democrats routinely accuse the GOP of being the “party of no.” Don’t believe it. Republicans have been trying to pass legislation allowing American consumers the ability to purchase health insurance across state lines. The democrats have gone out of their way to block such legislation. You can find a few examples here, here and here. Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) has been working on this legislation for years. Senator Jim DeMint has offered similar proposals, only to be shot down by democrats, and (you guessed it!) Barack Obama.

Here in New York it would cost more than $1000 per month, or $12,000 per year to purchase a health insurance policy for a family. [Note - that figure may be higher today - $1000 per month was what I was quoted for COBRA coverage almost three years ago.] But in other states a policy can be purchased for much, much less. The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council ranked the 50 states plus the District of Columbia according to policies affecting the cost of health insurance.  There findings shouldn’t be surprising to anyone paying attention.

Meanwhile, the worst states are: 37) Minnesota, 38) New Hampshire, 39t) North Carolina, 39t)Rhode Island, 41) Florida, 42) New York, 43) New Jersey, 44) Colorado, 45) Maryland, 46)California, 47) Vermont, 48) Connecticut, 49t) Maine, 49t) Washington, and 51) Massachusetts.

Our elected officials talk a great deal about “solving the health care crisis.” Unfortunately, the origins of the crises can largely be traced back to governmental policies that raise the costs of health care, and thereby limit the availability of health care coverage. If policymakers are serious about having a positive impact on health care, then significantly limiting the number of mandates and regulations makes sense at the federal and state levels.

Think about it – if you live in a state that mandates podiatry and chiropractic care don’t you think health insurance is going to be more expensive than it is in states that don’t have such mandates? But President Obama had a chance to vote to make insurance cheaper for people like me, but he teamed up with Harry Reid and he voted no. You see, that wouldn’t have given the government control over you and me, so he didn’t like that idea. And he still doesn’t. If that isn’t a form of totalitarianism I sure don’t know what is.

Here’s Senator Jim DeMint on Fox News talking about the how Barack Obama wants to socialize health care and how he voted against free-market solutions for making health insurance more affordable.

And here’s Brit Hume’s take on President Obama’s performance on health care and how he isn’t the man Americans believed they were voting for. He’s not post-partisan, he’s not post-racial, and he’s definitely not moderate!