George Will explains a problem with government-mandated health care in a way that even a liberal can understand:
Excerpt transcript:
One question: If the government came to you and said, “Professor Krugman, you have a car. We’re going to compel you to buy a more expensive car, but it’s not really more expensive because it’s a better car.” Wouldn’t you tell them to get off your land?
I wish I had thought of that.
On this day in 1787, in Philadelphia, the greatest document written in the last several centuries was completed.
What began as a rewrite of the Articles of Confederation became the Constitution of the United States.
It’s a document that guarantees our liberties. It lays out the duties and responsibilities of the three branches of our federal government, and it establishes the relationship between the states. And, as amended, it establishes the rights guaranteed to the individuals on which the government may not infringe.
I am of the camp that feels that not enough people have read the Constitution — including many who have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution.
At the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, delegate Benjamin Franklin (the dude on the $100 bill, for you on the left) was asked, “What have we got—a Republic or a Monarchy?”
To which Franklin replied, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”
Go read the Constitution. Then make it your mission to help us keep a republic.
The government has taken over the auto industry, banking, and is looking to take over health care.
But has the government done enough?
I don’t think they have. The government needs to do more. Just like there are people in this country who don’t have health care, there are people in this country who are going hungry.
Sure, there are food stamps. But there’s Medicare and Medicaid for health care assistance, but that’s not enough. Just like we need the government to take over health care, we need the government to take over the food industry.
We need to raise taxes to pay for a “public option” for restaurants.
My vision is for the Obama King restaurant to offer healthy choices for your dining experience. Like tofu. And salads. Lots and lots of salads. And no fried foods. Certainly no meat. A complete vegan menu, consisting of … plant parts.
But do call ahead to avoid the lines. It’ll take a year or two for McDonald’s, Hardee’s, Wendy’s, and all the little Mom and Pop restaurants to go out of business as people move to the public option. But, soon enough, the Obama King restaurants will be everywhere. Sure, you might have to wait a while, even if you call ahead. That is, after you are placed on hold for an hour or two, but your call will be answered in the order in which it was received.
Speaking of phones, it would be bad for you to have a cell phone when there are plenty of others who don’t have a cell phone. We need a public option. The government can provide cellular service. O-Mobile would be available to everyone.
But cell phones aren’t the only technology area where Americans have a gap. Not everyone has a computer. Sure, lots do, but many Americans don’t have a computer. And the government can help, by offering a public option. After a while, there will be no more PCs or Macs. No debate between Windows, OS X, or Linux. Most Americans will own government computers that run one OS: O-S (the Obama System).
However, having a government issued computer doesn’t mean as much if you don’t have Internet access. AT&T, Knology, MediaCom, and the other ISPs don’t get the job done. Many people don’t have Internet access. A government-run public option would solve that. ObamaNet would allow everyone to be on the Internet.
There are just a few of the many, many ways the government can solve your problems by taking control of your life.
I mean, if you were really competent to do things for yourself, you wouldn’t have elected Obama and the Democrats to power, would you?
The president had it “Town Hall” photo-op today. And he used the opportunity to explain how the government health care plan is a great idea:
Note where he said, “U.P.S. and FedEx are doing just fine. It’s the post office that’s always having problems.”
My fears are now allayed: I’m thrilled to hear that government-run health care will be as efficient as the post office. And that’s according to the president.
Your hard-earned money will be collected from your paycheck via taxes, and sent to finance a program that will be run like the post office.
Let me say that I have a brother-in-law that works for the post office. He’s a good guy. And most of the postal workers I’ve met are good people, too. I say that so they won’t … well … go postal on me.
Anyway, the president has convinced me. We need to have government-run health care. And the post office example sold me.
But, there are some of you, I’m sure, that aren’t yet convinced. So, as a loyal American (who doesn’t what to be flagged), I present other reasons to let the government run health care. Here are things that will present excellent examples of how government-run organizations (regardless of the level of government) operate:
If these examples don’t show you just how wonderful a government-run health care system will be, I don’t know what will convince you.
Hi there! You may know me from the Six Flags amusement parks. But today, I’m here to tell you about the new government flags program. Sounds like fun, huh?
The Obama administration and the Democratic party are looking out for your best interests. And it all begins with health care.
The administration knows what’s best. And the best thing for you is to help push the health care bill through the Congress.
But, you know what? There are swastika-carrying people that are showing up, doing un-American things like asking questions and protesting that representatives are going against the will of the people.
To help us, here’s what you can do: report them!
Yes, simply send an email to flag@whitehouse.gov. It’s that easy! And fun!
If you know someone who opposes health care, whether it’s speaking out against the president’s proposal at the water cooler at work, or writing dissent on a blog, send us an email to flag@whitehouse.gov … and we’ll flag them!
Later, we’ll expand the program to accepting emails to flag people about all kinds of things. When we’re done, we’ll have flags for:
Sound like fun? Of course it does! It’s F-U-N! Fun!
At the new Six Flags over America program, you’ll be able to flag all your co-workers, neighbors, family members … anyone who doesn’t support the party line.
Yes, we put the F-U in FUN! Send emails of dissidents to flag@whitehouse.gov
Six Flags over America! More Flags! More fun!
