Charles J. Chaput, the Archbishop of Denver, has a good article on health-care reform. I think it's important for people to read things like this to understand that those of us who oppose ObamaCare do so for moral reasons.
Conservatives often choose to explain their opposition to socialized medicine in economic terms, rather than normative ones - and with good reason. But it would be incredibly simplistic to assume that a person who favors frugality or individual responsibility over institutionalized charity is somehow less motivated by moral considerations.
The fact is that Conservatives favor small government, free markets, individual liberty and traditional values because they believe that those sorts of policies make the lives of all Americans better - including the poorest among us. The sooner liberals stop impugning the motives of others and begin engaging alternative ideas seriously, the sooner the political system in this country will cease to seem so "broken".
Here's an excerpt from Chaput's article:
"...[F]ew persons seriously oppose making adequate health services available for all Americans. But God, or the devil, is in the details—and by that measure, the current Senate version of health care reform is not merely defective, but also a dangerous mistake.
"The long, unpleasant and too often dishonest national health care debate is now in its last days. Its most painful feature has been those “Catholic” groups that by their eagerness for some kind of deal undercut the witness of the Catholic community and help advance a bad bill into a bad law. Their flawed judgment could now have damaging consequences for all of us.
"Do not be misled. The Senate version of health care reform currently being pushed ahead by congressional leaders and the White House—despite public resistance and numerous moral concerns—is bad law; and not simply bad, but dangerous. It does not deserve, nor does it have, the support of the Catholic bishops in our country, who speak for the believing Catholic community. In its current content, the Senate version of health care legislation is not “reform.” Catholics and other persons of good will concerned about the foundations of human dignity should oppose it."
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The Democrats have created a bad health care law and the Republicans made no health care law while they were in charge.
ReplyDeleteWhich is worse?
The Democrats' bad health-care law is worse. Hands down.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why you continue to assume that a "bad law" will have a net positive effect. You do agree that it's possible for even well-intentioned government action to make people worse off than they were before, right? For the drawbacks of legislation to outweigh any hoped-for benefits? Why do you assume that won't be the case here?
Most people think this bill will do more harm than good, which means, by definition, they think we'd be better off without it. Instead, most Americans think we should make incremental corrective changes, evaluate their effectiveness, and make adjustments accordingly.
The choice is not between passing this bill and "doing nothing." But even if it were, it wouldn't be inherently irrational to choose "doing nothing" if you believe the net effect of this bill on American health-care will be negative. You're just convinced that it won't be, for some reason.
I believe something has to be done. I don't think the current bill is the right way as I trust the government more than insurance companies.
ReplyDeleteIt's only assumptions as to whether this bill has a positive or negative net effect. I have no clue which is true. I guess it's just optimism that makes me think it will work in some positive fashion.
I know one positive effect already is Republican Congressman are at least discussing Health Care. When they have the majority come next February, maybe they will actually put forth a bill rather than sweep reform under the rug.