And that in and of itself justifies me paying more?

“When she or her baby get sick – you pay for it through your employment taxes (which you pay even if self-employed)”

Actually, I pay double because I’m self employed, thank you.

“Reform, not a single payer system.”

Except that a single payer system is the goal of the people pushing this bill. This includes the President and the author of the bill, John Dingell. This bill is a very big step one.

“You keep going back to examples of countries that have nothing to do with the argument I’m making. “

Except we have to learn from their mistakes before we make the same one. A government option will inevitably lead to a single payer system.

“However for many of the currently uninsured, a government affordable option (note I said option) “

The current bill removes private single insurance policies, so people like myself will lose any option and be forced to subscribe to the government plan. That is not an option, that is forced inclusion.

“Now the only thing I’ve read about added charges applies to those who are not currently covered, and taxing the employers of those employees.”

Again, it means taxing others for your benefit. Taking someone else’s money for your own benefit is not compassion. Compassion is done by choice. No, when you take another person’s money it is theft. When a government does it, it is tyranny.

“It’s not just the food industry – landscape, construction, retail, they all have the bottom rung of the paid poor in their industries as well.”

Again, why should I have to pay for their insurance? Why should I have to pay for the insurance of 14 million illegal immigrants? (yes, they are included) Why should I have to pay for insurance for the 17 million people that make over $50K per year (half of them over $75K) and are currently uninsured?

If a government is to tax, it should be for the benefit of all, not just a few.

“In fact, a more competitive element into the insurance market may just lower your private insurance premium rates.”

You know what would add more competition? More insurance companies. The current laws allowing states to exclude out of state companies, and to mandate the inclusion of certain unnecessary coverages drives up the price.

You still haven’t even tried to answer my question, which tells me you either don’t have an answer, or you are stepping around it knowing that whatever answer you have is illogical.

That nice young lady at McDonald’s making minimum wage? When she or her baby get sick – you pay for it through your employment taxes (which you pay even if self-employed), or through your property taxes (if you live in Dallas County) because she ends up at a free (government paid) clinic. McDonald’s doesn’t offer her any benefits because if they did they would have to raise prices. And if Burger King (Whataburger, Taco Bell, take your pick) isn’t offering their employees a similar benefit, then McDonald’s takes the financial hit, and becomes less competitively advantaged, their stock gets discounted, etc.. It’s not just the food industry – landscape, construction, retail, they all have the bottom rung of the paid poor in their industries as well.

You keep going back to examples of countries that have nothing to do with the argument I’m making. Reform, not a single payer system. However for many of the currently uninsured, a government affordable option (note I said option), while substandard to some who are currently privately insured would be a huge improvement over what they had.

Now the only thing I’ve read about added charges applies to those who are not currently covered, and taxing the employers of those employees. If you are self-employed, with no employees and with private insurance coverage, this would not apply to you. In fact, a more competitive element into the insurance market may just lower your private insurance premium rates.

“You go ahead and keep your money. Feel better? Just hope you don’t get sick and lose your job or have your insurance deny you coverage. Hope it works out for you.”

Except that if this passes it won’t be my choice. I’ll be forced to pay for something that doesn’t benefit me, and that I’m completely against. Even worse, the bill as written, phases out individual insurance policies, so I won’t even get to keep my private insurance. I’ll be forced to join the government plan. Oh, joy.

I’ve been self-employed for almost 20 years. I’ve been responsible for my own insurance for almost that same amount of time. I like it this way.

Despite what is being fed to us, Canada, France, and the UK are having horrible problems with their national health programs. The costs in France are so out of control the plan is running deficits of 30-50% per year. Guess who covers those deficits? Canada is excluding a lot of seniors from surgeries if they are deemed to be of little value due to a lack of funding. The UK has the lowest cancer survival rate of any industrialized nation. Any guesses who is first on that list?

Cancer Survival Rates

The UK has increased spending on their NHS by 50% over the last eight years. Predictably, productivity has dropped.

Now, I’m still waiting for someone to explain why I should pay even higher taxes so that they can have free health insurance. What gives you the right to take from me for your own benefit?

Further, House passed plan currently has a clause that will not allow you to enroll in a new private plan if you change or lose your current insurance. This clause goes into effect once the legislation is passed into law. So, the government will set all the rules of participation for the insurance companies and the plan participants better hope they don’t have to change or they will end up with the public program. Kinda reminds you of “Atlas Shrugged.” No one could be fired from a job. So, the names of employees stayed the same; just the faces changed.