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Universal Healthcare Is Un-American

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The health care debate is a wonderful opportunity to re-assess exactly what it is that America stands for.

Do we stand for equality? Hell no, we never have, and as near as I can determine it has never really been a part of the plan. Nor is it the reason our nation has stood out as a beacon for the downtrodden of mankind.

What is it about America that has had people from all the other nations on earth doing everything they can, risking their very lives, to come here? Is it equality?

No. It is EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY. and in spite of all of the excesses and abuses of our government, this is still true.

Our ancestors didn't flee the feudalism of 18th century Europe for the guarantee of freedom, they came for the CHANCE to be free.

Now allow me to digress for a moment. What is health insurance? It is a pool of people who make payments into a system that makes mathematically and statistically opportunistic bets on the probable outcomes of a persons health, and then pays for what is needed.


It requires infrastructure, administration and expense to manage, so it must somehow also show a profit to pay for all of that. It is then by its very definition, driven by profit. Without profit, health insurance would cease to exist. Makes sense, right?

I do not smoke, drink to excess, or do recreational drugs. Nor do I take prescription drugs. I exercise regularly, eat organic as much as possible, and drink purified water.

I have, in short, done what every American needs to do: accepted responsibility for my body.

My health is NOT EQUAL to the same 55 year old guy who smokes, drinks, does drugs, doesn't exercise, and runs to the doctor for poisonous antibiotics every time he gets a sniffle. My health is BETTER, and defies my age, because of the choices I have made.

I had to take the time to LEARN how to truly care for my body, because our school system, designed to turn out mindless drones for our elite masters to order around, doesn't teach us that. No matter, it is my body, and I am responsible for it. My government is not.

Somebody please explain to me WHY, in a country based on the principle of equality of opportunity, that I should pay for the ignorant dumbass who refuses to take responsibility for his life, has made terrible lifestyle choices, and gets sick all the time? Why?

What exactly is it that we stand for?

This is what Americans need to be thinking about as we debate who is going to pay for all this.

One thing I can promise you. It is not going to be me.

I'm taking the same point of view as the overweight dumbass who whines that he doesn't have health insurance; Let someone else pay for it.

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Former apathetic anarchist who's directly responsible for the sorry state of affairs in our great country, by virtue of doing nothing. Until now. Screenwriter, author, poet and poker player.

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Yes, but ... by Don Smith on Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 10:56:51 AM
The Debate Begins by Bob Tracey on Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 12:13:16 PM
Additional Observations by Scott Baker on Friday, Sep 4, 2009 at 1:46:31 AM
What's American? by Sarah Morgan on Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 1:27:58 PM
Well, you have defined America today by John Little on Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 4:07:46 PM
Government, Is it the problem or solution? by Simple Truth on Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 10:27:09 PM
Hmmmm by AStarSpangledGirl on Tuesday, Sep 1, 2009 at 6:19:00 AM
Actually, I Agree by Bob Tracey on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 at 11:25:00 AM
Government is run by the oligarchs, this is true by John Little on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 at 2:43:41 PM
Response from an "Ignorant Dumb Ass" by Theresa "Darklady" Reed on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 at 4:37:13 PM
couldn't disagree more by AStarSpangledGirl on Tuesday, Sep 1, 2009 at 6:25:38 AM
We come together as a society for the common good. by Richard Lee on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 at 5:17:51 PM
Equality of opportunity? by Austin Hook on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 at 11:07:50 PM
Yeah, America for True Americans! by Bryan Emmel on Tuesday, Sep 1, 2009 at 3:52:25 AM
YES! by AStarSpangledGirl on Tuesday, Sep 1, 2009 at 6:20:09 AM
I've made this comment before by Archie on Tuesday, Sep 1, 2009 at 12:02:57 PM
Additional Observations by Scott Baker on Friday, Sep 4, 2009 at 1:56:51 AM