As a nation that was founded by mostly Christians, one of our core principles is that it is a morale obligation of those that have been blessed with superior talents and gifts to help the needy. This includes providing basic health care to those who are in need but not in a position to afford it on their own. Christianity is not the only religion that preaches this belief. One of the basic Pillars of Islam as stated in the Koran is Giving Zakat which means ‘giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.
Our core value of helping our neighbor is why we needed to improve our health care system. Now we must decide what is the best way to do it. Another reason is that it is presently inefficient. The government is not protecting the free market to allow it to contribute to the solution..
Lord Acton, the British historian, said in 1887; "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."
Comments
Stephan,
Okay.
Wrong!
We used to have just such a system here in the United States.
Until it was overloaded with persons who chose to take advantage of it.
Do you not recall all of the news about emergency hospitals going bankrupt and closing down their emergency services. That is also when "Charitable Hospice" began to die as provided through these same institutions.
We do not need to build an unruly monster to replace a working system that has been cruelly drowned. We need to get the foot off of its neck!
Phil,
I agree with much of what you say. Our differences may be one of degree. We probably both agree that the military person who incurs a rehabilitating injury while serving our country should be taken care of by the remaining members of our society.
Where we probably disagree is where should the line be drawn. You state
I have no compulsion to help anyone who refuses to do their best to take care of themselves. However, what about the others, their children, who did nothing to add to the plight that they are in. Should they be ignored and allowed to just whither and die?
We either believe in our faith or we don't. It is not true that all men are created equal. Some our born with more talents. Others were born into poverty and waste that they had nothing to do with. Should they not be helped?
It is hard to draw the line.
By the way, I am new to this blog and you add allot to it. Thanks.