I have been disheartened with our presidents, congressmen and senators ever since 1993, when Hilary Clinton attempted to develop a Healthcare Program that failed.
I’m upset with both parties. During 2010, Obamacare was approved, albeit by two underhanded occurrences. Al Franken unseated Republican Norm Coleman in what some claim to be a stolen election. Arlen Specter then switched his party affiliation to Democrat. These actions gave the Democrats the 60 votes needed to pass Obamacare.
Many are unhappy with Obamacare. Insurance companies Are withdrawing and raising premiums. In NH, the marketplace is shrinking and costs are increasing.
The Republican Party’s goal is to replace Obamacare. Now you are hearing the same objections and arguments from the Democrats that the Republicans used to battle Obamacare . Conclusion, working for the American people is not on the agenda of either party.
Here is a pragmatic approach, maybe too simple for our elected representatives to comprehend.
- Reduce foreign aid. Let wealthier nations like Qatar, Singapore, Brunei, Kuwait, Luxembourg,and the UAE take on more of this responsibility.
- Reduce military aid and stop being the policeman of the World where we end paying for wars that sacrifice our military, both human and material.
- It is time for oil rich nations, especially those near Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan to take on ISIS and similar coteries. It should be their fight to win.
- Eliminate fraud and corruption within all government factions especially Medicaid/Welfare. Also clean out their own fiefdoms. At one time it was reported that unused flight tickets totaled $100M. Reports on credit card abuse and an unreconciled $25B was reported by the Heritage Foundation which would’ve funded the Department of Justice for one year. There are numerous online reports highlighting the government’s fraud and waste issues.
- Ensure the next healthcare program passed by Congress includes the provision that all Americans fall under the same health plan, without exemptions for congressmen/senators. Maybe then, our representatives will take the initiative and do what is right for Americans.
I’m not saying eliminate foreign and military aid. Reduce it to the levels that are in line with the percentage of support other nations provide. Eliminating fraud and waste in government might convince those that are playing the system become productive citizens.
If the government took this pragmatic approach, I believe the US Government could provide free healthcare to every American citizen and every legal immigrant. I, for one, would like to see them give it a try. If nothing else, this would provide affordable healthcare for all without having to pay outlandish premiums.
Ron Penczak 