Reshaping History

What should one think of the recently passed Health Care bill? At first, it was hard to tell. The politicos making the talk show rounds seemed unaware of certain key points, so how was I - an ordinary citizen - expected to form an educated opinion?

There were certain indicators which bothered me ...

The giddy celebrations by the Democratic Party (and their surprise that such happiness is not universally shared) are a real red flag. Nancy Pelosi quipped that the bill "was not what the people wanted, but what they need". We seem to have the making of a ruling class which will be unhappy until we are all wards of the state.

Also, I wonder how we will afford this. America is deep in debt and rapidly losing its' pre-eminence as a producer-nation. If I borrowed to buy a car with payments beyond my means, it matters not whether the car is a classic or a clunker; it only matters that it'll be my ruin.

Obama's rhetoric about stamping out inequality and righting the wrongs of the Reagan era are offensive to me. "Inequality" is natural in a free state in which talent levels and ambitions differ. The diversity of America is what makes it desirable as the land of opportunity, and the home of the rugged individualist. Strong people don't need a government which positions itself as "The Provider of Gifts".

Reagan's philosophy celebrated this spirit of individual liberty with startling results which should provide a blueprint for us today. He reduced governmental oversight by allowing people to keep more of their earnings. During the "era of Reagan", government revenues doubled, inflation was cut in half, 35 million jobs were created, the nation was at peace, and confidence was high.

But these were all opinions and nothing else. The true grade for the bill was rendered in stark fashion last Friday. That's when my company announced a write-off of $1B to cover the increased costs expected from unfavorable tax provisions within the Health Care Bill, and hinted at coming reductions in benefits for employees and retirees.

$1 trillion dollars in increased taxes and what do we have to show for it? Worse health care coverage than before.

When are the next elections?