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You owe me health care

By George Baumler

  “You owe me health care” is the mantra of socialists in this country, though they may phrase it differently, using euphemisms such as universal health care.  It all seems harmless enough unless you look at the issue closely.  It is no wonder that they, who view smoking as a threat to public health, want cigarettes outlawed.  They see smoking as an unnecessary burden on their healthcare dollars.  The same can be said of those who want mandatory helmet laws for motorcyclists and bicyclists.  There are some segments of the socialist movement who are already attacking the fast food industry, in addition to their usual targets such as SUVs and private housing.  From the increasing shrillness of their demands, it can be determined that there are only limited resources that can be dedicated to health care.

  The argument that we are all responsible for one another presupposes that everyone subscribes to that philosophy, when in fact many do not.  Holding society responsible for all the ills and misdeeds of individuals has the undesirable consequence of absolving individuals of their personal responsibilities.  Another predictable offshoot of the “we are all responsible for one another" philosophy is the degradation of personal liberty.  Anti-smoking, mandatory helmet laws, seat belt laws etc. are examples of "well intentioned" meddling in personal liberty today.  It is not too far-fetched that more infringements on personal liberty will follow.  Perhaps in the near future, citations and fines may be issued to people who don’t control their weight; they may be forced to attend mandatory exercise programs, or maybe a DNA test could be required to receive a license to bear children in order to ensure their infants will healthy and not be a burden on the healthcare system.  Fast food chains could be policed to ensure that they don't serve obese individuals in much the same way taverns are held responsible for allowing someone to drink to excess.

  It is obvious that socialism requires the establishment of a police state no matter how well intentioned its policies may be.  The something for nothing attitude of many socialists ignores fundamental physical law.  (The Law of Conservation of Matter says that matter can neither be created or destroyed, but can be changed in form. In other words there is no something for nothing.)  Though it may seem heartless, allowing people to care for themselves as they see fit is the best insurance that liberty, not a police state, prevails.  

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