Socialism here we come - Oregon Voters Will Decide On Universal Health Care

WSJ.com ^

[Sub-Driver]

EUGENE, Ore. -- Universal health care, a largely quiescent notion since Hillary Clinton's failed efforts on its behalf nearly a decade ago, has re-emerged in Oregon as the hottest measure on next week's ballot.

To understand why, one need only ask Jane Moodie. The homemaker can't afford $160 a month to piggyback on her husband's health-insurance policy, and she thinks insurers' profits are "obscene." So three nights a week, she works at a phone bank here, calling on voters to back a ballot initiative that would make Oregon the first state to scrap the current system that mixes private insurance and government spending for health care.

[Theodore R.]

It is really hard to imagine OR voting down this "goodie." I suspect (but do not know) that even Sen. Gordon Smith has not taken a public position in opposition. The trouble with OR is that even the Republicans are liberal too.

[Arkie2]

They'll pass it and when it bankrupts the state as it is doing in Tennessee the states will cry to the Federal gov. to bail them out. It's universal health care by incrementalism. Once the Feds start to pick up the tab it will go nationwide. In any case it will happen as soon as we get another Dem pres. Brace yourselves, it's inevitable.

[citizenK]

Am I missing something here?

This Jane Moodie person can't come up with $160 per month to pay for her health care, but she can work three nights per week to lobby for a government program that would make someone else obligated to pay for her healthcare? And she calls the insurance companies obscene?

If Moodie works four hours at even 5 dollars per hour for three nights, she makes 60$ per week, or $240 per month. Sounds to me like she can pay that $160, she just would just rather have someone else pay her bills.

Moodie represents the free-lunch culture in our country that, at the end of the day, will hinder economic development and the greater prosperity of the society. Hopefully there are more people in Oregon with the good sense to throw this proposition in the dust bin than there are free loaders who view health care as a God-given right.

[freedomcrusader]

Health care is just like any other part of the economy - you have limited resources. The goal is to make the most efficient use of them. The system that mankind has designed that makes the most efficient use of limited resources is the free-market economy. Nothing has ever worked better in any part of the economy.

If Oregonians are too stupid to know such basic economics, they deserve their fate. It won't take more than 5 years before you have massive rationing of care. Oregonians will be going to other states and paying cash to get certain procedures.

[scooby321]

I Hope it Passes , Then it will end the Debate forever

[Broker]

They are smart nuff to have youth in asia, why not free health care before they go ?

[rudypoot]

Hehe, that one town in Maine has become a third world city. Now This state will become a third world country. I can't believe no one is talking about what's going to happen: rich move out, poor move in. They will see a huge decrease in tax revenues and a huge increase population that are entitled to health care. Wasn't LA county complaining that they are paying $3 billion in healthcare costs for illegal immigrants?

National health care has failed wherever it is tried. Ask Europe, England, Canada and Japan.

[Vision]

Let it pass. It will fail once implimented and be the end of the discussion.

[freedomcrusader]

I forgot about that. Euthanasia may become critical to keeping the program solvent, if you catch my meaning. Dead men generate no health-care expenses...

[2banana]

I hope they like to wait for medical services!

UK Emergency Room patients 'wait up to three days'
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/777600/posts

[wjcsux]

Why is TN haveing such burdensome budget problems?

[elephantlips]

The liberals of the United States of America should all qualify for the Darwin Awards modified to include leathal but not deadly. How much history, how much experience must there be all around us before we come to the conclusion that the repetition of something will NOT bring about something different than it did originally? The confiscation of firearms in England has led to homeowners who protect their lives and their families, being thrown in jail. This is what is wanted in the USA by the liberals. Socialized medicine has been an abject failure everywhere but the liberals want it for the USA. When are the common citizens going to wake up to the FACTS surrounding them and do something meaningful?

[antidisestablishment]

If this passes, look for the three remaining three businesses in Oregon to leave. Luckily, the mass exodus of medical providers will be stemmed by the arrival of "alternative" practitioners.

These folks make Atlas Shrugged look prescient.

[ampat]

If it passes, Portland will be full of the homeless and the lazy. Healthcare quality will plumet.

[wcbtinman]

I should own a moving company. There will be lots of business as the competent doctors in Oregon move out of the state.

[AmishDude]

What a Brave New World, with such people in it! -- Billy S.

[AmishDude]

And that Brave New World was described in its entirety by Aldous Huxley. Euthenasia (check), universal "health care" (check). Now where's my Soma!

[AlaskaErik]

Look for a massive influx of Californians, illegal aliens and poor people. Oregon will become America's own little third world country.

[BuddhaBoy]

I hope this passes.

We need for Oregon to be the example of how foolish this is, and who better to suffer than that hotbed of Liberalism?

This is going to be a huge train wreck for that state. Businesses will leave, and every loser in the country will flock to Oregon for their RIGHT to health care.

Before this thing gets passed as a nation-wide initiative, we need to have an example of how socialism will effect our way of life in this country. I say pass it now, before it's too late.