Back to Basics

It is quite obvious we have two completely different views on the role of government, as well as health care, in the United States.  We have those on the far left that believe everything belongs to them and everyone should work for the government so they can all receive their handouts.  We have those on the right that believe the government should be limited in power and that those who work should be able to keep what they earn.  Those that earn have paid taxes so those that want to receive have been able to do so.  But the balance is slipping and those who earn can no longer afford to pay for those who don’t.  Thus the battle.  Unfortunately, the left is pulling the race card at every opportunity, even when it doesn’t exist.  You’d think we were back in the 1960′s!  I’ve read comments that include all the racial innuendos, foul language and demands that the right get out of the country.  If the right left where would you get your handouts?

So I put forth a totally radical option to be considered.  Create a uniform income tax for everyone (yes, I know the left is screaming already that this isn’t fair – get over it).  Say this tax, as an example, is 25% no matter what your income.  This money is put into the actual government operations given in the powers of the constitution.  Those that have paid into the Social Security system and Medicare will also continue receiving benefits from those programs as it was long ago promised to them.  They’ve paid their dues, they deserve their benefits.  As for the other “social” programs, each individual may opt in or out of the program by a simple check of a box on their tax returns and W-4 filing status.  If you choose to opt in to the social programs, then you will pay an additional 25% of your income to taxes to help pay for these programs.  Monies collected from the additional tax must be put into a fund and held specifically to cover the costs of these programs.  If you choose to opt out of the social programs then you will not pay any additional tax to cover these programs but you will also not be eligible to participate in any of these programs.  No money in, no money out.

These social programs would have to be self-funded.  Only monies collected from the additional taxes can be used, no other federal monies could be diverted to cover these programs.  If the programs ran out of funds then they would be out of funds until the next tax season.  People could also voluntarily donate to these social programs if they choose, whether they wanted to participate or not.

Those on the left get all the social programs they want.  They can determine how many and what types of social programs they want and their elected officials can determine the budgets and monies available based on the taxes collected for these programs.  Those on the right get what they want – limited government into their daily lives.  If you want the social programs then put your money where your mouth is!  Start paying into the programs you want to collect from.  Your free ride is over!

House Democratic Bill H.R.3200

Listed below are key provisions from H.R. 3200 – the health care “reform” bill currently moving through the U.S. House of Representatives.

Forcing Employer-Based Plans to Change
Page 17 – Section 102(b)(1)(A) forces every employer-based plan to conform to new benefit mandates, uniform marketing standards, cost-sharing, actuarial value, medical-loss ratio and other new requirements of this bill. Even if you are happy with your coverage, you will be forced to change your plan.

Prohibition on the Sale of Coverage in the Individual Market
Page 18 – Section 102(c) prohibits the sale of private health insurance policies on the individual market, beginning in 2013, and forces individuals to purchase federal government-approved coverage through a new “National Exchange.” Plans sold in the Exchange will be forced to comply with new benefit mandates, uniform marketing standards, cost-sharing, actuarial value, medical-loss ratio and other new requirements of this bill – making private health coverage less affordable and more expensive for the average American.

Creation of a Health Benefits Advisory Committee to Dictate the Terms of Your Health Coverage
Page 30 – Section 123 establishes a new board of federal bureaucrats (the “Health Benefits Advisory Committee”) to dictate the content of health plans that all individuals must purchase. Along with the Secretary of HHS and a new “Health Choices Commissioner,” this new Committee will decide what type of health plans will be available to you and your family.

Unelected Bureaucrat Becomes Second Most Powerful Government Official in America
Page 41 – Section 141 creates a new “Health Choices Commissioner:” an unelected bureaucrat who can impose penalties, take away your current health coverage, and will become the second most powerful person in Washington behind President Obama.

Protection for Members of Congress
Page 74 – Sections 202(c) and (d) protects Members of Congress with existing federal employee coverage (as defined in Section 100(c)(6) on page 9) from joining the government-run health plan offered through the Exchange.

Establishment of a New Government-Run Health Plan
Page 116 – Section 221 establishes a new government-run health plan that, according to non-partisan actuaries at the Lewin Group, would cause as many as 114 million Americans to lose their existing coverage.

Penalties for Individuals without Health Coverage or Government-Approved Health Care
Page 168 – Section 401 imposes a 2.5 percent tax on all individuals who do not purchase health insurance or who fail to purchase “bureaucrat-approved” health insurance.

Penalties on Employers who Cannot Afford to Provide Government-Approved Health Coverage
Page 183 – Section 412 imposes a new payroll tax as high as 8 percent for firms that cannot afford to purchase “bureaucrat-approved” health coverage. This new penalty will lead to job loss, decreased wages and impose a massive burden on American small businesses. Though Democrats have argued this bill would give an exemption to small businesses, firms with payroll as little as $250,000 would be forced to comply with the new tax.

Higher Income Taxes for American Small Businesses
Page 197 – Section 441 imposes additional job-killing taxes, in the form of a half-trillion dollar “surcharge,” ore than half of which will hit small businesses; according to a model developed by President Obama’s senior economic advisor, such taxes could cost up to 5.5 million jobs.