Posted on 08/06/2009 5:03:40 AM PDT by IrishMike
In an era of debt-exploding bailouts and deficit-busting expansions of government, it goes without saying that America cannot afford a $1.5 trillion government-run health care plan. Of course, the massive socialized medicine boondoggle proposed by President Barack Obama is much more than just another example of government pouring billions – now trillions – of taxpayer dollars down the drain.
If that were all "Obamacare" were, it would be bad enough.
But this program is much worse because it constitutes government not o nly wasting vast sums of taxpayer money, but imposing artificial conditions on the free market in a deliberate effort to nationalize the health care industry. In addition to costing millions of American jobs, the creation of a government-run health care monopoly will result in higher premiums, limited options, lower quality care and a lack of innovation in the one field of human endeavor where we should strive to be as innovative as possible – namely, saving lives and improving quality of life.
While Obama continues to mislead an increasingly skeptical public on this front, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank recently admitted that the real intention of the so-called "America's Affordable Health Choices Act" was nationalization, saying that the new government-driven "public option" plan was the "best way … the only way" to achieve an eventual single payer monopoly.
The long-term costs of the plan are also much larger than anyone is willing to admit – parti cularly seeing as Obamacare (like nearly everything in Washington these days) is being "paid for" almost exclusively with money that doesn't exist.
How much larger are these long-term costs?
Well, according to a recent report by the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, along with its imposing debt- and deficit-busting dimensions, Obamacare would add another $9.2 trillion to the massive pile of unfunded liabilities that politicians in Washington have forced upon the American taxpayers.
In other words, it's yet another example of government writing a check that it can't possible hope to cash – one which forces additional strain on the taxpayers and sucks more life out of our economy.
And for what result? A health plan that does more harm than good?
Federal unfunded liabilities currently total a whopping $58.8 trillion – or $191,000 for every man, woman and child in America. This total includes $39.6 trillion for Medicare and Me dicaid, $10.6 trillion for Social Security and $8.5 trillion for Bush's ill-conceived prescription drug benefit.
Add the unfunded liability of Obamacare to this pile and the total tab soars to a scarcely-comprehensible $68 trillion - or $226,000 for every man, woman and child in America.
Clearly, these are numbers that Obama and his allies don't want to talk about. After all, they demonstrate conclusively the numerical impossibility of funding all of Obama's new proposals simply by imposing new tax hikes on "the wealthy."
"There is no way we can pay for health care and the rest of the Obama agenda, plus get our long-term deficits under control, simply by raising taxes on the wealthy," former Clinton budget advisor Isabel V. Sawhill recently told The New York Times. "The middle class is going to have to contribute as well."
Obama has promised that 95% of Americans won't see their taxes increased "by one dime" during his administration. How, then, d oes he plan on bridging the short- and long-term gaps to pay for his health care plan?
Short answer? He doesn't.
Obama isn't planning on bridging these gaps, which is why you can add this to the stack of promises he probably never planned on keeping – right on top of the pledge that citizens would be able to keep their existing health care plans if that was their choice.
Whether in the immediate or distant future, America simply cannot afford Obamacare. And even if we could afford it, we should never put government in control of any industry – particularly one so vital to the pursuit of the first of our fundamental liberties, "life."
America has been in this position since we declared bankruptcy in 1933.We have lived on money printed out of thin since then.The only time America was debt free was when Andrew Jackson ended the National bank and paid off America’s debt.
Never mind the 30 trillion or so that it would really cost.
I.5 trillion cost estimate is a JOKE. People should know by now that when government puts a number on anything, add at LEAST one extra zero.
The impact from Obama destroying the insurance industy alone will cost us trillions in economic activity, and MILLIONS of jobs.
The purveyors of this obscenity will not align themselves with any government-controlled health-care system in existence today such as Canada, England, Sweden, Hawaii, Massachusetts or any other socialized country.
Why?
Is it because they are all failures?
But this program is much worse because it constitutes government not only wasting vast sums of taxpayer money, but imposing artificial conditions.
Chairman Obama can’t kill the free market enough.
Why are unions and community organizers also exempted?
Could it be that we, the people, the great unwashed masses cannot manage our own affairs without the control of the omnipotent government?
The sponsors of the fiasco aver that private health insurance will not be undermined, yet health insurers will be prohibited from enrolling new clients. ..????
Riddle me that one ?
Yet.......Obama isn’t planning on bridging these gaps, which is why you can add this to the stack of promises he probably never planned on keeping – right on top of the pledge that citizens would be able to keep their existing health care plans if that was their choice.
We need to get the printing press away from the government then ask them how it will be paid for?
ATTENTION FELLOW TEXANS:
Governor Rick Perry may invoke the 10th Amendment over Obama’s health care bill (Vanity)
7/23/09 | Cowtowney
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2299225/posts?q=1&;page=51
Get after Perry, Texans. Burn up his switch board and fax!
Let him know we don’t want Obama DeathCare.
Say no to Obama’s DeathCare.
Send a message; DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS healthcare!
No! NO you don’t, you muzzie pos. You’re not denying our seniors deserved health care while insuring millions of illegal aliens and while Demorats are REJECTING Obamacare for themselves and their families!
Join organizations who fight ObamaCare.
This is a good organization:
The Alliance of Texans Against Government Controlled Healthcare:
http://www.notintexas.org/
office (972) 466-2915
fax (972) 466-2965
toll-free (866) 377-1300
From the website:
We are currently contacting Governor Rick Perry by fax and mail!
We have made it easy for you to help. Click here to display the letter and contact information.
http://www.notintexas.org/Letter_rick_perry.htm
Petition to STOP government controlled healthcare in Texas
Read and sign the petition
http://www.notintexas.org/Letter_to_Reps.htm
Print and sign the letter
(feel free to make changes if you wish)
Fax the letter to the fax numbers
Mail a hard copy to the addresses
Call their offices
Dear Governor Perry,
On March 30, 2009 the Texas House of Representatives passed HCR 50 affirming that the State of Texas claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment.
You have publicly supported this bill, and stated that attorney generals from all over the union could be getting ready to sue the US Government.
We are asking you to take the lead.
We are asking you to order the Texas Attorney General to publicly begin working on a law suit under Article IV, Ninth, and Tenth Amendment of the Constitution.
We are asking you to protect the citizens of Texas that we will not stand for government controlled healthcare in our state.
Under your leadership we can effectively kill the proposal of this administration and allow Texas to be a state free from socialism and collectivism.
Be the voice of reason in the national debate and allow Texans the ability to solve the problems of our state.
Thank you,
(Signature Date)
Lookup your state representatives
FREE FAX SERVICSES:
http://www.gotfreefax.com/
http://faxzero.com/
or google ‘free fax’
Contacting Rick Perry
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
Washington Office:
122 C St., NW, Ste. 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 638-3927
Fax: (202) 628-1943
Contact Budget Planning and Policy
Address:1100 San Jacinto
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: (512) 463-1778
Fax: (512) 463-1975
Gregory S. Davidson
Constituent Communication Division Director and
Executive Clerk to the Governor
Phone: (512) 463-1873
Office of the General Counsel
Department Mailing Address
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711
Phone: 512.463.2000
Fax: 512.463.1932
Press Secretary
Allison Castle, Press Secretary
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-1826
Fax: (512) 463-1847
Contact Texas Health Care Policy Council
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-1778
Fax: (512) 463-1975
Sign up. Become a member.
Sign petition against Obamacare!
See member interview with Cavuto!
____________________
From ‘Texans Against Government Controlled health Care’
http://www.notintexas.org/
To all Texas elected officials:
“Don’t Mess with Texas” has been a proud motto in the Lone Star State. Now with Government controlled socialized healthcare appearing inevitable, we say “NOT IN TEXAS!” We ask our elected officials to cite the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as the reason why Texas rejects and will not accept the U.S. Government takeover of our healthcare system!
The 10th Amendment states: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
States’ rights, in the United States, is political doctrine advocating the strict limitation of the prerogatives of the federal government to those powers explicitly assigned to it in the Constitution of the United States, and reserving to the states all other powers not explicitly forbidden them. The doctrine of states’ rights has been the cause of bitter controversy at several periods in U.S. history.
The impending death of free market healthcare is an important issue that will again cause bitter controversy.
If the cause of defending our free market healthcare is a worthy cause, we in Texas must stand up and say: “NOT IN TEXAS”.
We in Texas will not stand idly by and allow the U.S. Federal Government to eliminate our free market healthcare system by incrementally changing and ultimately replacing it with a Government controlled socialized Healthcare system.
“NOT IN TEXAS”
Where are the Texas politicians?
The Alliance of Texans against Government Controlled Healthcare is insisting upon the immediate action of all Texas Politicians. Tell the U.S. Government: Government controlled healthcare may be adopted in other states, but…NOT IN TEXAS.
Tell the U.S. Government that Government Controlled Healthcare will never be allowed in Texas. Texans still believe in individual freedom and individual responsibility.
The saving of our free market healthcare system is one of the most important tasks ever to face Texas.
When are we going to hear Texas politicians saying: “The Government Controlled Socialized Healthcare stops at the Texas border!”
The Texas citizens are waiting to hear from you. We don’t have much time. President Obama wants a healthcare bill out by August 1st.
Tell the news media loud and clear: “NOT IN TEXAS”
We hope to see and hear your stand in the media in the next days to come.
P.S. Once Texas politicians make their stand, you will see other states standing up for State’s rights. Let the Lone Star state of Texas stand first.
.
From Texans Against Government Controlled Health Care
Facts about the 10th Amendment:
The Tenth Amendment (Amendment X) of the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, was ratified on December 15, 1791. The Tenth Amendment restates the Constitution’s principle of Federalism by providing that powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people.
Why Texans should fight National Healthcare:
When all of America’s top health insurers and providers met at the White House this week and pledged to save $2 trillion over the next decade in health costs, they were pledging to sabotage our medical care. The blunt truth, which everybody (the politicians and healthcare providers) agreed to keep quiet, is that the only way to reduce these costs is to ration healthcare, thereby destroying our system. http://www.notintexas.org/Front_4.htm
>Cutting Doctors’ fees will reduce access. Your doctor may not accept the government health plan. Congress is wanting to cut Medicare fees by 21 percent. Cuts in Medicare reimbursements will spill into the government health plan and ultimately limit the number of doctors and hospitals that will accept the government plan.
>Much like the HMO’s of the 80’s your doctor access will be restricted to the few doctors who will accept the socialized plan.
>Limiting the availability of doctors and hospitals will have many devastating effects. Most threatening are:
>Over crowding waiting rooms
Backlog of medical testing i.e. CAT scans, MRI, PET scans etc...
>Rationing of Health Care
>Reduction of quality college students choosing medicine as a profession.
>With our aging population, quality health care providers needed now more than ever.
>We can pay with our lives. The federal government want us to believe they can “mandate away” 2 trillion dollars of medical expenses. We have learned from our friends from the north (the Canadians), the best way to reduce cost is to ration care.
>Government bureaucrats will pour over data and decide what the best means of care will be for the largest number of patients.
If medical condition differs from the government guidelines, it will NOT be paid by the government.
Should your doctor(s) decide the government allowed treatment is not for you, your doctors hands will be tied. If you don’t have the financial means to pay for your treatment elsewhere, it could cost you your life.
In Canada, colonoscopies are rationed for colon cancer. Canada’s colon cancer rate is 25 percent higher than in the U.S. even though Canada’s population is smaller.
>We know from history, once a government program of this nature is passed, whether it is a total failure or not, it will NEVER be rescinded.
Solution:
Texans can reject, and refuse to pay for, the federal government health plan. Texas will attract the BEST trained, MOST experienced doctors (and upcoming doctors) in the country. Texas will be the envy of every state in the union.
The truth about government controlled healthcare:
Government healthcare is failing miserably in Massachusetts
If you think a government run healthcare system can work and be more affordable, read this... http://www.notintexas.org/Front_5.htm
Article from the Washington Examiner 1/11/09:
“Obama’s health policy advisers should take a good look at the smoldering wreckage in the Bay State before trying to impose any such “universal coverage” on the rest of the nation.” Link http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/Universal_coverage_First_look_at_the_disaster_in_Massachusetts_011109.html
More interesting reading - Free Market Cure
http://www.freemarketcure.com/
Medicare - What is all the fuss about?
Medicare (and health insurance) is a political football. The aging baby boomers are currently contributing more tax dollars to the Medicare Trust Fund than they ever will again in our lifetime. In 2011, the first baby boomers will become eligible for Medicare, and many of them will retire, no longer contributing to the tax base.
Instead, they will become consumers of the Medicare system and begin to tap into the very funds they contributed to Medicare for more than 40 years. Within a few decades, we will suffer massive deficits caused by Medicare, Medicaid (welfare—long term care) and Social Security.
There is simply not a way to finance the Medicare system long term by raising taxes. Even if taxes were raised by 50 percent of the current rate, there still would not be enough money to fund the Medicare Part A Trust Fund for the long term.
The current Part A trust is expected to pay more than it takes in by 2019, and some are estimating this will begin to occur as early as 2016.
HCR 50 HAS PASSED THE HOUSE 99-36!
Affirming that the State of Texas claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution, serving notice to the federal government to cease and desist certain mandates, and providing that certain federal legislation be prohibited or repealed.
Take Action! Before it is too late!
.
Because doing so allows for scrutiny, a base from which to calculate costs and question the cost estimates Democrats are throwing out there.
Considering medicaid, which is bankrupt and costing well over a trillion anally, (proof alone that government cannot manage anything to do with health care) The government is adding what, 1.5 trillion to that, which is then supposed to provide health care to everyone?
HAHAHAHAHA!. This tells us that the Democrat estimate is approximately 10 trillion short of actual cost, and that's using numbers that are a trillion short of whats needed to cover the actual cost of medicaid as it is now.
So, the real cost to have a "medicaid" type of health care coverage for all would cost at the very least, 20 trillion a year, each and every year.
Our national debt will be 50 trillion in less than a year if the RATS ram this garbage through.
Not only that, with the insurance industry collapsing as a result of Obama care, there will be millions of jobs lost in the insurance industry, even more indirect jobs lost because of the loss of spin of business, and an enormous amount of econimic wealth, trillions! The lost tax revenues would be enormous as well, which will further drive down our GNP numbers, and increase our GND vs GNP ratio.
It's beyond insane, it's suicidal. Obama is purposely trying to collapse this nations economy. There's no way Democrats can be that stupid not to see these numbers. That leaves only one conclusion to come to. They are perposely trying to destroy our capitalist society and replace it with a very pure form of communist rule.
Chairman Obama can’t kill the free market enough = he wants to kill the insurance companies like he did with GM and banks his plans suck.
Their intent is to bankrupt the country. Things are going according to their plan.
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