I’m not going to spend a lot of time talking about politics on this blog, unless its the fictional politics going on inside my stories. This blog is supposed to be here to help me work on my writing. Someday, I’m hoping this blog will be a valuable resource for my fans, once I’m rich and famous and ruling the best seller lists from a golden throne.
But this is my blog, and I want to rant for a little bit about the shutdown, and the behavior of the Republicans in Congress.
I am not a Democrat. I identify more with the Libertarians, honestly. I’m financially conservative, socially liberal, and I believe that the vast majority of the power should be at the state level, making for a smaller, leaner, more efficient federal government. I believe that the Constitution prescribes what the federal government is allowed to do, and everything that is done beyond that is either bonus, or criminal, depending on what it is that’s being done.
So now that I’ve described my general views, let me say that I believe that the behavior of the Republicans in the House is reprehensible, and I think that the dispute is not being represented very well in the media. I’ve seen several publications put the blame on both parties. I’ve even seen some people throw some blame at Obama for this. The blame for this manufactured crisis should be fully set upon the shoulders of the Republicans in the House.
I like analogies, so I’ll use one. Imagine two small children sitting at a table, working on their homework. One of the children is diligently working along, trying to get his work done. The other was working on his homework, but then stops, puts his pen down, and then tries to wrestle a hotly disputed toy from the other child. Their Dad comes in and says, “Knock it off! Your homework isn’t finished!” The obstinate child protests, “No! Not until I get this toy!”
That’s what I see happening in Congress. It’s not a perfect analogy, but it’s close enough. The republicans have manufactured this crisis by picking a fight over something that doesn’t have anything to do with the budget. They’ve started a fight, and have dragged everyone down to a low level.
How can the democrats respond? How do you compromise with someone that’s willing to go immediately to holding their breath and throwing a tantrum? And yet, if they don’t try to compromise, they’ll look as bad as the republicans. They’ll look like the ones unwilling to fund cancer research or the space program or the World War II memorial.
This is a no-win situation for everyone, and it was created by the Republicans in the House. Blame doesn’t help us get out of it, but I dearly want people to see what’s going on here, and remember.
I am thankful the Republicans are fighting this out. I may not agree with their methods or even for the specific thing they are fighting for, but I do see this whole health care thing as very unconstitutional. Obama wants to make this out like the Republicans are the bad guys. But what about the freedoms he is taking from me and everyone else. I should not be forced to spend my money on health insurance by the government. Seems way too intrusive to me. What is next?
I honestly think that the fight for the Affordable Care Act has already passed. It was a huge part of Romney’s campaign. It was fought in the Supreme Court. It went into law in 2010, so there have been years for alternative legislation to be drafted and proposed. Romney lost, the Supreme Court battle failed, and no new legislation to modify or replace the Affordable Care Act has been proposed.
Speaking of Romney and the Affordable Care Act, let’s not forget that the entire Affordable Care Act was built on and based on the plan that Romney put into effect in his state. Apparently, that plan has been successful there.
Let’s focus on the individual mandate, though. This is a mandate to get people to acquire health insurance.
We already live with a mandate to get car insurance. If you’ve ever been in an accident, I’m sure you were thankful for that mandate.
Now we’re looking at a mandate for health insurance. I think that in the long run, it will be better for everyone. Currently, the costs of healthcare are inflated by people getting healthcare without insurance. If everyone has insurance, perhaps those costs will go down.
I don’t know.
I know that the Affordable Care Act isn’t fantastic, and I know that it is not extremely well liked on either side of the political fence.
I think what would be best would be to find an actual solution. Holding the government hostage is not the solution. It’s political gerrymandering, and I don’t think we should support it.
Those are great thoughts Brian. I don’t think we should give up the fight just because the Supreme Court said we should. First of all, the car insurance thing is different for two reasons. First it is state mandated and not federally mandated. Second, I can choose to not have a car and therefore not have insurance. However, if I live and breathe, I am being told I must pay for that privilege. I must have health insurance or pay a tax. Where else is there a tax on life?
First, thanks for conversing with me about this! I appreciate the conversation, even if we have differing views. I might even enjoy it more because we have different views.
I had thought about how car insurance is a state mandate, but thought I’d use it as an example anyways, simply because of how pervasive it is. There are a few states that don’t require liability insurance, but those states require financial liability, which is effectively the same. If a mandate is universal enough, in practice, I’m not sure if it matters if it’s coming from the state or federal levels.
That’s just my opinion, though.
As to your other point, we wind up paying taxes, federal and state, with every paycheck. We pay into the pyramid scheme that is social security. We could choose not to work, I suppose, but I think that is a very irrational choice.
On principle, I agree with you, but in terms of keeping my blood pressure in check, I seek ways to live with the imperfections of the system. When I was younger, I was less able to do this. Now, I look at the system as horribly flawed, and I am trying to find ways of thinking where I can live in this system and still be happy.
By this I mean, the concept of wealth redistribution in the form of taxes, I find intolerable in principle. As adults, we should be able to be responsible for ourselves, and have the choice of supporting charities if we have the means to do so. We should be able to plan for our own futures and set aside money on our own, rather than have the government steal a portion of our income all of our working lives, on the promise that they’ll return it to us when we’re no longer able to work. When we are adults, we should be able to act like adults, and be treated as such.
Unfortunately, not every adult acts like an adult. People do stupid things. People are irresponsible and selfish and self centered. Individuals can be mature and disciplined and take care of themselves with an eye towards the future. There are too many people that do not take responsibility, though.
It’s the three little pigs, on a larger scale. In that story, the majority take the quick and easy way out, lazy and foolish, and wind up being supported and saved by the hard work and planning of the one.
The insurance mandates… whether it’s car insurance at the state level or health insurance at the federal level… is just a way of trying to make all of the pigs build their house out of brick instead of straw and hay. In the long run, it will be better for everyone.
I can still appreciate the indignation, and I respect (and mostly share) the views of those saying that this is an overreach, and it should not be necessary. It is an answer, if not a great one. I’d like to see a better answer, but until I see it, I’d rather try this approach before tearing it down.