Too many, in my opinion, argue that health care must be reformed because our current system leaves too many Americans uninsured. Sadly this argument will never win over those who could not care less about the uninsured. In fact, this altruistic argument will only feed the ire of those who have an 'I've got mine and you can't have any' attitude. Thus, for any argument for healthcare reform to be successful it must appeal to those who are far less altruistic than you dear readers.
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I suggest that we argue instead that health care must be reformed in order to save and expand the manufacturing base in this country. This is a jobs and economic recovery argument that will be far more palatable and successful. This is an argument for returning America to its position as a world leader in manufacturing.
Every other industrialized nation in the world provides universal health care for their citizens. Not just a 'public option' but real universal health care not unlike what Dennis Kucinich proposes in his HR 676, Medicare for All bill. Because all the other countries effectively subsidize their manufacturing companies by providing universal healthcare, products made in the USA cannot compete in the global marketplace largely because of the tremendous burden healthcare costs place on our manufacturing companies.
It has been said that providing health care for workers adds $800.00 to cost of every vehicle General Motors builds. As a result, General Motors has been called a "health care company that also builds cars". This is usually used as an anti-union argument because unions have fought for health care for their members but it does clearly point to the issue we should be arguing – A Lack of Universal Health care is Crippling the Ability of American Products to compete in the global marketplace.
Without universal health care, the manufacturing base of the United States of America (what is left of it) is doomed to continue its decline and could eventually disappear altogether. Keep in mind that our manufacturing capacity played a key role in fight against Nazi aggression in WWII and ultimately helped save the world. What does an America that has no manufacturing capacity and must depend on others for everything look like? I hope we never have to find out!