Health Care Reform – A Libertarian Solution - September 5, 2009
Our steady movement toward reliance on third-party payment no doubt explains the extraordinary rise in spending on medical care in the United States.
- Milton Friedman
Why anyone would turn to government to fix the economy, poverty, drug problems, and now healthcare is a mystery. Ask yourself: “What has government fixed in the past that has worked out well?” Offhand, my answer to that question is “Absolutely nothing.”
Take a look at the most heavily regulated industries. Take a look at industries in which government subsidies and funding play a big role. These industries: education and healthcare stand out as receiving the most interference from government over the last 20-30 years.
Now, let’s look at segments of the economy that have outpaced inflation:
As we have allowed government intrusion into education and health care, the costs have skyrocketed. So what is the simple answer to this problem? Cut Cut Cut – reduce government regulation, reduce government intrusion, end government subsidies. Dump the FDA, undo the mistakes we’ve made in allowing government to become more involved.
If we all start to see government is a problem, not a solution we are on the path to lower taxes and lower prices for goods and services.
We still need to work on the mess with the insurance industries. It is a ridiculous situation where no one asks about costs, no one shops around, and everyone chooses overpriced name brands over generic products. If everyone had some out of pocket expenses with medical care, costs would go down. Doctors and hospitals would be forced to compete and become more efficient.
In a perfect world, we could also look at tort reform too – but do we really trust government to put together a piece of legislation that benefits the people instead of the law firm lobby (which contributed $233,912,817 in 2008)?
““What has government fixed in the past that has worked out well?””
Well, how about…our nation. I’m not trying to stir up any anger. I’ve been researching Libertarian ideals and came across this site. If I’m completely off base, then please – educate me.
My point is, the constitution and the founding fathers are held up in such high regard. However, it’s almost as if people forget that they were a government. So, our government established this constitution that is flawless – and then promptly became an entity that isn’t to be trusted? Make no mistake, the crafting of our constitution and the framework for our independence was fraught with dirty politics and back-door deals. I’m sure you’re well aware of this.
So again, how could a corrupt entity come up with such a perfect system of government? Saying that our government body created this inscrutable document and system of government when the government itself is corrupt and incapable makes no sense.
It’s like the joke about the immigrant who steps off the boat to America, turns around and tells all those behind him, “Now get out of my country!”
Again, just asking questions.
The government we have today is bought and paid for by special interests. Politicians tell voters what they want to hear or promise them ‘goodies’. Often they are lying through their teeth and in complete subservience to those that paid for their marketing campaigns.
For over 100 years after the founding of our country lobbyists did not exist. However, even in the beginning – the drafters of the Constitution knew the people would have to be eternally vigilant to keep the government given to them. We have not been vigilant for decades.
Today’s government barely even considers the Constitution when they are passing laws and stealing pork. The only time it is considered is when they are trying to figure out ways around it.
Finally – an ‘inscrutable document’ and a ‘perfect government’ are not possibilities. People have flaws, there will always be inequality and conflict. This is precisely the reason government should be kept to a minimum. Flawed, corrupt, and power hungry people will of course run for office like moths to a flame. With a lean and small government, the greedy temptation to go after power and money is lessened. As long as the corrupt fill the private sectors, government can be used for justice. When the corrupt run the government who do you turn to?
Thanks for the great write-up. A few things I should point out about health , Content is good. I would hope to be back tracking.
Really instructive – continue to spread the word. Getting excited about an update. For too long now have I had the need to get started on my personal blog. Guess if I wait around any longer I will never ever do it. I’ll be sure to add you to my Blogroll. Cheers!!
I normally bounce all over the internet because I have the tendancy to read a lot (which isn’t always a good thing because most sites just copy from each other) but I have to say that yours contains some real substance! Thanks for stopping the trend of just being another copycat site!
Just wanted to say thanks for a really useful article. Interesting resource! cheers mate!
Agreed on so many levels… Keep up the good Work!
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