I was just pointing out that people make choices. At that time in my life, I had to go without in order to have health insurance.

If one chooses certain luxury items over insurance, then they have no right to turn around and demand insurance from the government.

GTB, I think that it is a great idea to teach those life skills in school.

It’s funny, just the other day I was telling someone that one of the benefits to homeschooling is that I have been able to teach my kids how to compare unit prices at the grocery store and shop within a budget, which they would not have learned in school. (They are only in grades 2 & 3. They will learn much more before I am through.)

You hit the nail on the head GTB. I can’t believe that this isn’t part of the standard curriculum throughout the school system – personal finance. Teach it every year until it sinks in. Especially in VT, which has the highest credit card debt levels in the country.

This is a side question from the topic at hand, but would you advocate for an education curriculum that includes instruction for people on how to balance their checkbook? Invest for retirement? Buy a home? [i.e. practical life stuff]

Without cable and *loving* it,
- GTB

I would rather take my dollars and spend for healthcare when I need it, not in case I need it (which is what you do with insurance). (And yes, I have cable, and no I am not going to apologize for my choices there.)

I am not a fan of big government, but I am also not a fan of big business (which is how I view the health insurance industry).

Personally, I do not want the government taking care of people because then it gives the government license to put their nose in where it does not belong.

That is an issue that affects everyone, too. There is no limit to the freedoms that are given away by us for a few dollars of other people’s money. It’s sad. And it affects issues on both sides (liberal and conservative).

I agree that in a prosperous country, we should all have healthcare. There are some very poor people who need our help. There is no reason why there shouldn’t be private organizations that people can give money to that will help provide healthcare to the poor. I am idealistic as well. I believe that people will help others if the government is not there to anymore.

There are a lot of people who can afford health insurance, but choose not to, yet they have cable, go out to eat, and do other things that cost money. I have a hard time with the idea that other people’s money should pay for their own personal misuse of funds.

I know it is anecdotal, but I have known so many people who I have worked with that opt out of good insurance policies. The most insane was this place where it was only $60 (paid twice monthly) for a policy for your whole family. There was this woman who opted out, yet had premium cable and went out for lunch often.

I chose to bring my own lunch every day and I had only a TV antennae at home, but my kids and I had insurance.

Why should other people pay for her poor choices?

That is where the breakdown comes for me.

Should we help the poor? Yes, of course. Should we enable people with poor money management and personal choices? No. Should we give all power and control over to the government in exchange for a feeling of comfort? No.

Funny about that last question, if asked in the context of national security every liberal would say no, but asked in the context of national healthcare, they would all say yes!

Thanks for your comments.

Even without the government controlling insurance, look at some of the things that are already happening, like this post of mine and this thing here, which I will probably do a post on soon.

We have every reason to be bothered.

That really bothers me. Am I the only one?

Interesting article, especially this part: “The recommendations don’t say who would pay for universal health coverage or how much it would cost.” Maybe they’ll do a poll asking whether all Americans should have plasma TVs next. Why yes, they should!

“It doesn’t have to be a one-or-the-other argument.”

Who said it was? Certainly not the film. It specifically criticizes a national health care system that is solely single-payer. Sounds like you’re with Tarrant on this one.