UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE EXPLAINED
"There's no such thing as a free lunch". One of many old sayings that have proven to be very accurate. This concept can be applied to many things in life, but none quite as important as life itself, and to a lesser extent, health care. As I watch the Presidential candidates try to out-liberal each other regarding the "health care crises", I can do little else than shake my head in disgust.
First of all, there is no "health care crises". Yeah, I said it. Is health care expensive? Yes. Does that constitute a crises? No. Cars are expensive. College is expensive. Coffee, cable and blue jeans are expensive, but we don't refer to them as a crises. A health care crises is when there are no doctors to be found. Or when hospitals shut down. Ironically, this will be the result of the liberal plan of universal health care.
Allow me to explain. Health care is a service, an important service, but a service none the less. It could also be considered to be a product. For this reason, I can use the following analogy. Think of our health care system as the fast food business. Because we have the power to make the decision to eat at McDonald's or Wendy's, Burger King has to make sure they make a better burger and offer better service than the other two. Arby's has to make sure they offer something even better by virtue of the Beef & Cheddar. Then Subway steps in and offers an even better deal than any of the others. This is called "competition". The end result of which is constantly improving quality, constantly expanding options and competitive prices for the consumer.
Now, what if the government stepped in and offered free cheeseburgers for everyone? At first, everyone would rejoice. Then we would notice a few changes. First, we would notice McDonald's stores closing down, followed by Wendy's and Arby's. After all, no one is buying their product anymore. Then we would notice a persistent drop in the quality of our government issued burgers. After all, why does the government need to worry about quality control when they are the only game in town? Menu options? Think again. Extra Mayo? Not a chance. Fries? Don't even think about it.
You see, now the people we rely on to make our cheeseburgers are government employees. You know, like the friendly folks down at the DMV, or the IRS. As long as they don't stick out in the crowd, their job is safe. Now that the government has taken the profit out of the food business, why bother with 10 years of cheeseburger college just to punch a clock for Uncle Sam? Where's the incentive? Who wants to be a burger chef now? Certainly not the cream of the culinary crop. In fact, few people jump at the chance to do the job at all, now that the money is taken out of the equation. This leads to burger shortages due to a lack of production. Yet the demand increases due to the fact that burgers are free now, so everyone wants one whether they need it or not. To get your "free" burger, you are put on a waiting list.
Six weeks later, you have the free cheeseburger you were promised. It is issued to you at a government facility and resembles exactly what you would think a government issued cheeseburger would look like. If they forget the cheese, just fill out the appropriate forms and someone will review your case in six to eight weeks.
Oh, you don't like cheeseburgers? You wanted a Big Mac, or a hoagie? Too bad.
Remember folks, it's one thing to sacrifice the quality and expediency of a cheeseburger for it's cost, but what about your child's heart surgery? Do you want free health care, or good health care for your child? You can't have both.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
THE LITTLE RED HEN
When I became a father, I knew it was going to be a learning experience. I had no idea. Obviously, the nuts and bolts of parenting provide you with lots of new skills, and a child can teach you many things as well. One thing I did not expect was the lessons that I would learn from some of of my daughter's books. Granted, these children's books are designed to teach you things, but as an adult, I assumed these books had little to offer me. Then I read "The Little Red Hen".
This book chronicles a little red hen's quest to bake a loaf of bread. It tells of the hen's struggles to acquire the ingredients and process them into dough as well as the work that had to be done to bake the dough into bread. All through the process, the hen asks for help from the other animals in the barnyard. Of course, no animals were willing to lend a hand with any of the steps required to produce the bread. Still, when the bread was finally finished thanks to the tireless efforts of the hen, the other animals felt that they were somehow entitled to a share of the bread that they had no hand in baking.
When I chose this book to read to my little girl, I had no idea what it was about. To me, it was just a book about chickens. After reading it the first time, I immediately realized that this little book had done what I have been attempting to do for some time now. In terms that even a small child can understand, it had perfectly summarized the philosophy of liberalism.
If you know a small child, or an adult liberal, this book is the perfect gift. But remember, when reading to children and liberals, read slowly, be patient and don't expect them to understand it the first time.
When I became a father, I knew it was going to be a learning experience. I had no idea. Obviously, the nuts and bolts of parenting provide you with lots of new skills, and a child can teach you many things as well. One thing I did not expect was the lessons that I would learn from some of of my daughter's books. Granted, these children's books are designed to teach you things, but as an adult, I assumed these books had little to offer me. Then I read "The Little Red Hen".
This book chronicles a little red hen's quest to bake a loaf of bread. It tells of the hen's struggles to acquire the ingredients and process them into dough as well as the work that had to be done to bake the dough into bread. All through the process, the hen asks for help from the other animals in the barnyard. Of course, no animals were willing to lend a hand with any of the steps required to produce the bread. Still, when the bread was finally finished thanks to the tireless efforts of the hen, the other animals felt that they were somehow entitled to a share of the bread that they had no hand in baking.
When I chose this book to read to my little girl, I had no idea what it was about. To me, it was just a book about chickens. After reading it the first time, I immediately realized that this little book had done what I have been attempting to do for some time now. In terms that even a small child can understand, it had perfectly summarized the philosophy of liberalism.
If you know a small child, or an adult liberal, this book is the perfect gift. But remember, when reading to children and liberals, read slowly, be patient and don't expect them to understand it the first time.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
PUTTING THE "DEM" IN DEMENTIA
Seriously. Is this the face of the modern-day Democrat party? Is this some sort of new plan to eliminate false accusations from the "right wing smear machine"? Put your ignorance and dementia on display for the whole world to see, leaving the "right" with no way to top you? I mean really! Could anything "made-up" by a right wing pundit be any more outrageous than what the Dem. front-runners are doing right in front of us?
Consider this. You have one candidate being caught in one lie after another trying to concoct a non-existent legacy. Her allegedly "brilliant" husband refuses to let sleeping dogs lay (I know there's a joke in there somewhere) by reminding us of her fuzzy memories as soon as they fall from the front page.
Then you have another candidate who claims to transcend racism and class envy, but every time we see him, he's trying to talk his way out of being caught making racist or elitist statements. Not to mention being a member of a racist/anti-American church for twenty years.
Note to Hillary: You have no political or leadership experience. It's too late to make some up now. There's a little thing called history, it's documented and archived. Even you are not powerful enough to escape it. Oh yeah, being married to a heart surgeon does not give you the ability to cut into someone's chest.
Note to Barrak: You have no political or leadership experience. I am a Pennsylvania voter. I am "bitter", but not because the government isn't wiping my butt for me. I'm bitter because you liberal nut-jobs are ruining my country. Even if I were not bitter, I would still "cling to guns" because it is my right to protect and defend my family and country. It is my right to "cling to religion" as I see fit, regardless of my bitterness. I am not anti-immigrant either. I'm anti- ILLEGAL immigrant. There is a difference. The fact that all of this escapes you is evidence of your elitist attitude. The fact that you publicly proclaim your Christianity, but dismiss and belittle Pennsylvanians who do the same, makes you a hypocrite and/or a lier.
Note to Democrat party: Is this the best you can do? Is this really what you want to win with?
Seriously. Is this the face of the modern-day Democrat party? Is this some sort of new plan to eliminate false accusations from the "right wing smear machine"? Put your ignorance and dementia on display for the whole world to see, leaving the "right" with no way to top you? I mean really! Could anything "made-up" by a right wing pundit be any more outrageous than what the Dem. front-runners are doing right in front of us?
Consider this. You have one candidate being caught in one lie after another trying to concoct a non-existent legacy. Her allegedly "brilliant" husband refuses to let sleeping dogs lay (I know there's a joke in there somewhere) by reminding us of her fuzzy memories as soon as they fall from the front page.
Then you have another candidate who claims to transcend racism and class envy, but every time we see him, he's trying to talk his way out of being caught making racist or elitist statements. Not to mention being a member of a racist/anti-American church for twenty years.
Note to Hillary: You have no political or leadership experience. It's too late to make some up now. There's a little thing called history, it's documented and archived. Even you are not powerful enough to escape it. Oh yeah, being married to a heart surgeon does not give you the ability to cut into someone's chest.
Note to Barrak: You have no political or leadership experience. I am a Pennsylvania voter. I am "bitter", but not because the government isn't wiping my butt for me. I'm bitter because you liberal nut-jobs are ruining my country. Even if I were not bitter, I would still "cling to guns" because it is my right to protect and defend my family and country. It is my right to "cling to religion" as I see fit, regardless of my bitterness. I am not anti-immigrant either. I'm anti- ILLEGAL immigrant. There is a difference. The fact that all of this escapes you is evidence of your elitist attitude. The fact that you publicly proclaim your Christianity, but dismiss and belittle Pennsylvanians who do the same, makes you a hypocrite and/or a lier.
Note to Democrat party: Is this the best you can do? Is this really what you want to win with?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
WHAT AMERICAN IDOL TAUGHT ME
Let's not dwell on the fact that a seemingly manly truck driver such as myself was watching American Idol tonight. Let's just say that my wife is a fan, and I was killing time until "South Park" came on. Admittedly, I do like the premise of a national talent show that showcases one's vocal talent, adaptability and showmanship skills. It almost seems like something that you might have seen on TV back when our nation had a shred of cultural integrity. I actually started to look at "Idol" as a welcome distraction from the world of politics. Just when I was ready to join the club and become a fan, "American Idol Gives Back" aired.
Leave it to TV executives to take a simple, subjective concept such as a talent show, and turn it into a primer on liberal philosophy.
Here's what I learned. Apparently, in Africa the mosquitoes that cause malaria only bite people when they are in a bed. I watched Forest Whitaker talk about the importance of donating $10.00 to cover the cost of a bed net to fight malaria. Had I not seen his commentary, I would have gone on with my life thinking of him a talented actor. Now, I see him as just another gullible Hollywood pawn.
If Forest had given this issue some thought, he would have been asking people to donate money for the purchase of DDT spraying equipment. He would have also asked for money to fund the draining of swamps and areas of stagnate water where mosquitoes live and breed. As if this weren't enough, the Priminster of England proudly announced his donation of nets on the show as well.
Environmentalists around the globe have successfully banned the use of DDT and similar products that kill the mosquitoes that spread disease. This was done because these pesticides are supposedly "linked" to health problems in humans and animals. The last time I checked, malaria was considered a "health problem". Can you spot the irony?
I then learned that the cure for AIDS is cash. Here all this time, I thought the cure for AIDS was to not get it in the first place. Considering the amount of tax-payer cash that has been streaming into Africa and other third world countries to stop AIDS, I figure just about everyone down there should be cured by now.
One of my favorite liberalisms is the policy of throwing money (other people's money) at a problem. Let's not do something about the dictators and drug lords that are actually causing the poverty and death. Instead, let's write a bunch of checks that will in all likelihood end up in the hands of these same dictators and drug lords. Let's not actually kill the cause of the disease, let's spend a lot of money on something that has no effect at all on it.
Hey Africa! Here's your net. And oh yeah, stay in bed.
Let's not dwell on the fact that a seemingly manly truck driver such as myself was watching American Idol tonight. Let's just say that my wife is a fan, and I was killing time until "South Park" came on. Admittedly, I do like the premise of a national talent show that showcases one's vocal talent, adaptability and showmanship skills. It almost seems like something that you might have seen on TV back when our nation had a shred of cultural integrity. I actually started to look at "Idol" as a welcome distraction from the world of politics. Just when I was ready to join the club and become a fan, "American Idol Gives Back" aired.
Leave it to TV executives to take a simple, subjective concept such as a talent show, and turn it into a primer on liberal philosophy.
Here's what I learned. Apparently, in Africa the mosquitoes that cause malaria only bite people when they are in a bed. I watched Forest Whitaker talk about the importance of donating $10.00 to cover the cost of a bed net to fight malaria. Had I not seen his commentary, I would have gone on with my life thinking of him a talented actor. Now, I see him as just another gullible Hollywood pawn.
If Forest had given this issue some thought, he would have been asking people to donate money for the purchase of DDT spraying equipment. He would have also asked for money to fund the draining of swamps and areas of stagnate water where mosquitoes live and breed. As if this weren't enough, the Priminster of England proudly announced his donation of nets on the show as well.
Environmentalists around the globe have successfully banned the use of DDT and similar products that kill the mosquitoes that spread disease. This was done because these pesticides are supposedly "linked" to health problems in humans and animals. The last time I checked, malaria was considered a "health problem". Can you spot the irony?
I then learned that the cure for AIDS is cash. Here all this time, I thought the cure for AIDS was to not get it in the first place. Considering the amount of tax-payer cash that has been streaming into Africa and other third world countries to stop AIDS, I figure just about everyone down there should be cured by now.
One of my favorite liberalisms is the policy of throwing money (other people's money) at a problem. Let's not do something about the dictators and drug lords that are actually causing the poverty and death. Instead, let's write a bunch of checks that will in all likelihood end up in the hands of these same dictators and drug lords. Let's not actually kill the cause of the disease, let's spend a lot of money on something that has no effect at all on it.
Hey Africa! Here's your net. And oh yeah, stay in bed.
Monday, April 7, 2008
MR. HESTON - The last statesman
I'm a gun nut. Let's just put that on the table right now. For some reason, I believe in the wacky notion that I have the right to protect my family from the criminal element. So when I heard of the passing of Charlton Heston, I naturally had planned to blog about his great work as a second amendment defender. Then I remembered a story that I heard some time ago. I don't know that this is a true story, but I like to think it is.
Allegedly, Mr. Heston was on an airplane when the man in the next seat recognised him and started to make small talk. Heston politely asked the man what he was doing on his trip. The man told him that he was going to meet his birth father for the first time after spending many years trying to find him. Mr. Heston replied "You know, one of my children are adopted...I just don't remember which one".
They just don't make people like that anymore.
I'm a gun nut. Let's just put that on the table right now. For some reason, I believe in the wacky notion that I have the right to protect my family from the criminal element. So when I heard of the passing of Charlton Heston, I naturally had planned to blog about his great work as a second amendment defender. Then I remembered a story that I heard some time ago. I don't know that this is a true story, but I like to think it is.
Allegedly, Mr. Heston was on an airplane when the man in the next seat recognised him and started to make small talk. Heston politely asked the man what he was doing on his trip. The man told him that he was going to meet his birth father for the first time after spending many years trying to find him. Mr. Heston replied "You know, one of my children are adopted...I just don't remember which one".
They just don't make people like that anymore.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
AL GORE'S KRYPTONITE
Questions to ask your favorite environmentalists:
1. What caused the first and second ice ages to start?
2. What caused the ice ages to end?
3. Was man driving SUV's during those periods?
4. Why does the average temperature of other planets change at the same rate as Earth's?
5. Are there SUV's on Mars?
6. If Co2 is a pollutant, why does plant life require it to live?
7. Why does plant life thrive along the busiest highways where emissions are the most dense?
8. Why are animals incapable of walking around drilling rigs?
9. How can we predict the climate twenty years from now, but not next week?
10. Why are the following not factored into climate calculations? The sun, solar flares, sun spots, the Jet Stream, the Gulf Stream, the Earth's molten core, volcanoes, desert sand storms, and common sense.
11. How could we possibly know the global temperature, or rainfall averages prior to modern technology, when we can't accurately measure them today?
12. Who decided what the Earth's temperature is supposed to be?
13. How did they arrive at that particular number?
When Al Gore can answer these questions, I'll listen to him.
Questions to ask your favorite environmentalists:
1. What caused the first and second ice ages to start?
2. What caused the ice ages to end?
3. Was man driving SUV's during those periods?
4. Why does the average temperature of other planets change at the same rate as Earth's?
5. Are there SUV's on Mars?
6. If Co2 is a pollutant, why does plant life require it to live?
7. Why does plant life thrive along the busiest highways where emissions are the most dense?
8. Why are animals incapable of walking around drilling rigs?
9. How can we predict the climate twenty years from now, but not next week?
10. Why are the following not factored into climate calculations? The sun, solar flares, sun spots, the Jet Stream, the Gulf Stream, the Earth's molten core, volcanoes, desert sand storms, and common sense.
11. How could we possibly know the global temperature, or rainfall averages prior to modern technology, when we can't accurately measure them today?
12. Who decided what the Earth's temperature is supposed to be?
13. How did they arrive at that particular number?
When Al Gore can answer these questions, I'll listen to him.
Friday, April 4, 2008
BLACK AND WHITE
Today is April fourth. This day will always be marked by the death of a man named Dr. Martin Luther King. Sadly, I believe that this day also marks the death of an idea and a dream. As I am only 37 years old, I was not alive in the days of forced segregation and separate water fountains. Luckily, I do have access to television, books, Internet, and a whole list of other options that allow me to look at historical events. One such event is the "I have a dream" speech given by Dr. King. Arguably, one of the most famous speeches ever given.
One part of that speech has always stood high above the the rest. The part where Dr. King dreamed of a day when a man would be judged by the content of his character, not the color of his skin. It was this idea that resonated with me and still does today.
So, just how far have we come as a nation since Dr. King first spoke those words? Apparently, not too far.
As I watch the media struggle with Senator Obamma's spiritual past, it becomes obvious to me that we are still hung up on race as a nation. So I have decided that it is time to walk out on a limb and set a few things straight regarding race relations in 2008.
1. There are no more slaves.
2. There are no more slave owners.
3. There are no more "whites only" signs at lunch counters, water fountains, or buses.
4. Americans of all colors have the right to vote and own land.
5. If you are living in a poor neighborhood, it was your decision.
6. If people look at you funny when you go shopping, it's probably what you're wearing or how you're acting, not your skin color.
7. If you feel that whites in general should feel guilty, or blacks should feel victimized in the year 2008, you are part of the problem.
You see, you have a choice. You can either pay lip-service to Dr. King's message, or you can live it. To truly live it, you have to have the inner strength to not see a person as a color. Better yet, ignore color all together. It really doesn't matter. If you think it does, you're part of the problem.
As one who actually lives the words of Dr. King, I can tell you in all honesty that I am not a racist. That means that I do not judge people on the basis of skin color, hence my hatred of "affirmative action" policies. That also means that I refuse to be made to feel guilty about things that other people did decades or centuries before I was born. Conversely, I have little respect for those who think I should. I also have little respect for anyone who looks at someone as a victim just because they have a particular skin color.
So at the end of the day, you need to ask yourself if you are part of the problem or the solution. Are you living the dream of Dr. King or just talking about it?
Today is April fourth. This day will always be marked by the death of a man named Dr. Martin Luther King. Sadly, I believe that this day also marks the death of an idea and a dream. As I am only 37 years old, I was not alive in the days of forced segregation and separate water fountains. Luckily, I do have access to television, books, Internet, and a whole list of other options that allow me to look at historical events. One such event is the "I have a dream" speech given by Dr. King. Arguably, one of the most famous speeches ever given.
One part of that speech has always stood high above the the rest. The part where Dr. King dreamed of a day when a man would be judged by the content of his character, not the color of his skin. It was this idea that resonated with me and still does today.
So, just how far have we come as a nation since Dr. King first spoke those words? Apparently, not too far.
As I watch the media struggle with Senator Obamma's spiritual past, it becomes obvious to me that we are still hung up on race as a nation. So I have decided that it is time to walk out on a limb and set a few things straight regarding race relations in 2008.
1. There are no more slaves.
2. There are no more slave owners.
3. There are no more "whites only" signs at lunch counters, water fountains, or buses.
4. Americans of all colors have the right to vote and own land.
5. If you are living in a poor neighborhood, it was your decision.
6. If people look at you funny when you go shopping, it's probably what you're wearing or how you're acting, not your skin color.
7. If you feel that whites in general should feel guilty, or blacks should feel victimized in the year 2008, you are part of the problem.
You see, you have a choice. You can either pay lip-service to Dr. King's message, or you can live it. To truly live it, you have to have the inner strength to not see a person as a color. Better yet, ignore color all together. It really doesn't matter. If you think it does, you're part of the problem.
As one who actually lives the words of Dr. King, I can tell you in all honesty that I am not a racist. That means that I do not judge people on the basis of skin color, hence my hatred of "affirmative action" policies. That also means that I refuse to be made to feel guilty about things that other people did decades or centuries before I was born. Conversely, I have little respect for those who think I should. I also have little respect for anyone who looks at someone as a victim just because they have a particular skin color.
So at the end of the day, you need to ask yourself if you are part of the problem or the solution. Are you living the dream of Dr. King or just talking about it?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
