Posted by
voice_of_reason on Sunday, September 12, 2010 7:09:32 AM
The American Left frames the electoral process as follows:
* vote (D) to get a Govt that bestows its largesse on the deserving poor - or,
* vote (R) to get a Govt that gives it to the thieving rich.
This framework has worked nicely for Democrats in the past. It puts Republicans on the defensive, because they have to play the 'we too' game -- as in "we too are in favor of social welfare, but, so sorry, we'd just like to sneak in a strong economy to pay for it all".
In our political debate, do-gooder-ism is an unlimited virtue - which trumps individual liberty. Republicans are unable to make an intellectual argument for liberty that defeats the image of Robin Hood (D), self-proclaimed candidate for the deserving poor.
The result: no matter which political party has won elections in the past, Americans get stuck with Big Govt, which is ruled by one mob or the other.
In 2008, the pendulum swung all the way to the Left. However, the Leftist excesses of the current administration presents (in Nov 2010) an opportunity for Americans to consider an alternate model - that of a small Govt, limited to its constitutionally approved functions, and deriving its powers from the consent of the governed.
Under such a model, there isn't any a lot of largesse to be distributed, hence there is less incentive for the kind of mob rule that is prevalent today.
This is the model that the Tea Party sees for America. These principles are not always explicitly stated by Tea Party members. At the grass roots, there is nostalgia - wistful, in some cases - for better times. Americans see through grandiose political oratory, and realize that the big Govt model is not the secret sauce behind American exceptionalism.
It is the concept of free individuals and a limited Govt that resonates with most Americans. Even many liberal Americans have come to realize that big Govts are dysfunctional.
Democrats have shown their contempt for the above principles. And, the results speak for themselves.
If the Republicans gain majority in November, but govern as a mob (as they have done before), they will be no different from the current crop of Democrats. And, they will deserve to spend even more time in the political wilderness until they figure it out.
If Republicans govern as conservatives, they will have to touch a few third rails. In addition to repealing ObamaCare, they will have to come up with a plan to go after the root-cause behind the rising costs of health care. Yes, they will have to phase out the so-called success of Medicare.
PHASE1 (1st five yrs)
* Medicare/Medicaid vouchers for the poor and elderly - yes, this perpetuates the status quo, but fairness dictates a short term 'amnesty'
* cease Medicare 'deduction' and employer match
* return the previously extorted Medicare funds (with interest) into the Health Savings Accounts of individuals
* continue tax deductibility of Health Savings Accounts - employers may choose to contribute into the Health Savings Accounts of their employees
* fee for service begins to eliminate the need for insurance companies except for catastrophic coverage
* costs start to come down (supply-and-demand at work)
PHASE2 (next five yrs)
* Healthcare vouchers ONLY for the poor and/or for those who are above a certain 'cut-off' age
* tax relief for everyone else
* end tax deductibility of Health Savings Accounts
PHASE3 (the future)
* no more Medicare, Medicaid etc.
* the poor are helped by voluntary, private charity
* Return to fee-for-service
* Health insurance is relegated to its rightful status - as a hedge against catastrophic illness