Brushfire of Freedom
The Irritable Pundit
Government healthcare is terrifying. Just ask any conservative, anyone who has ever experienced a serious illness while abroad, or anyone with even the slightest ability to balance a checkbook (which sadly, eliminates 90% of the legislature). So far, most of the anti-government healthcare points have been variations of 4 themes. "Cost, private investment, the elderly, and rationing".
Cost:
Trillions of dollars we simply do not have, it must be shifted to our grandchildren. Truly ruinous, but the greatest danger of government healthcare is not cost.
Private sector damage:
Government healthcare will undoubtably damage the economy by depressing private investment. Those who have capital can not compete against government fiat. And shifting capital from private investment (where it creates jobs) to government (where it does not) will be a crushing blow. All that said and true, this is not the scariest thing about government-run healthcare either.
Sacrifice of the elderly:
The phrase "NWT" (Not Worth Treating) will soon become the proactive state-decided pre-DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) for senior citizens. Though reminiscent of Logan's Run, this also is not the most frightening thing about Government healthcare.
Rationing:
A nine month wait on cancer treatment (as in other socialized medicine states) will soon be the norm, but still this is not what is most terrible about Government healthcare.
To me, the single most terrifying thing about Government-run healthcare is... the Government.
Since the election, Democrats have already abused the power of Government and have politicized things in ways never before seen or imagined. Do you honestly believe they will not do the same with your healthcare? It is Chicago-politics time people, the rules have changed. Lets examine 3 key events that demonstrate the Democratic party and Obama Administration's current "Chicago Style" politicization of the United States.
1) They have destroyed businesses and livelihoods, based on political contribution. Car dealerships whose owners had made contributions to Republicans instead of Democrats, were disproportionately selected to be shut down by the Obama administration in its "revamping" of the auto industry. This, even though those dealerships were making money (in the black, as it were) for themselves and for the auto companies involved (while employing hundreds). By the way, I keep hearing Obama "gave" the car companies to the unions. The problem with that is they were not his to "give". "Obama stole the car companies for the unions" is more appropriate. HERE IS THE STORY
2) They have threatened average Americans, or put them in harms way, simply based on their support of party or issues. They know where you live. In fact, if you vote the wrong way or support the wrong side financially, they even post your address and handy driving directions to your house! Don't believe me? Just ask those who donated non-PC regarding prop 187 in California. Imagine how shocked they were to see pictures of their driveways and directions to their homes on the internet. Obama is the American Stalin, with Acorn coming to your house and the New Black Panthers swinging billy clubs at your voting center. FYI: Obama recently dropped all charges of voter intimidation against the Black Panther thugs, in spite of witnesses, formal complaints and ample videotape. VIDEO IS LINKED HERE
3) They have threatened entire States and members of the opposition political class for not "going along". Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) certainly found out after publicly opposing the stimulus package. The Secretaries of the Interior, HUD, Transportation, and Agriculture immediately started threatening Arizona with loss of funds. FACTS ON ABC NEWS BLOG
So if your official votes the wrong way? You as his/her constituent will lose money. If you have donated to the wrong political party? You will lose your job or business. If you personally might vote the wrong way? You will be physically threatened.
Mercy.
And these are the people who will be deciding if and when the stunning beauty that is Mrs. Irritable Pundit will receive Chemo? With the Democratic party and the Obama Administration having access to my political contribution records, will my name just happen to drop down on the registry list if my kidney needs to be replaced? Knowing what is going on in Washington today, what do you believe the relative value of your life is, versus one of the DNC's top donors?
Before you say "no, they would never do that." Go back and read those three links above. Last year, if someone had said any of those events would occur, you and I both would have told them to take off their tinfoil hats. Today? Not so much. MORE FACTS HERE Remember children, we are talking about Nancy Pelosi having the power to make life and death decisions about your health. Try to go to sleep with that thought in your head, I dare you.
Sleep tight.
Now, have you ever seen the Caduceus and/or the rod of Asclepius? They have, at one time or another, both been adopted as symbols for medicine.
You can see one or the other on AMA websites, and even the chevron's of US Army personnel as far back as the early 1850s. It is interesting to me that the symbol used on both is the snake (one or two snakes on a rod or stick, depending. Yes, mythology nerds, I do know the difference between them). Now look below.
That same symbol was also used in a previous fight about rights and freedom. It was a warning, that you were about to go one step too far, and would pay for it if you didn't step back. It was this flag that flew at some of the most famous battles of the American Revolution.
There is a print from AllPosters captioned "Revolutionary heroes at Bunker Hill, fighting under our country's first flag, the rattlesnake flag." (30 lashes to the first History nerd who brings up "Breed's Hill", I know, I know) I am amazed how the shadow in the flag makes it look like the snake is wrapped around the rod of Asclepius. I think that happy coincidence explains exactly how I feel.
Keep away from my doctor. Keep your hands off my healthcare. Don't tread on me.
IP
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