When it comes to federally-sponsored health care, it's obvious that some people want it, some don't. For example, the barking, angry people who showed up at the town hall meetings don't seem to want it. Of course, many of them seemed to be eligible for Medicare, so maybe they have it and they just don't want YOU to have it too, Punk.
Joe Wilson doesn't seem to want it, except that as a colonel retired from the military he has it already. Not only that, his kids apparently have fed-sponsored health care too. Okay. Let's be clear, he likes it but doesn't want YOU to have it, Civilian Riff-Raff.
It's already obvious that most people who are against federally-funded health care already are taking advantage of, well, federally-funded health care, either in the form of Medicare (aren't those geezers something?) or the kind Joe Wilson enjoys as retired military brass. They just don't want anyone ELSE to have what they enjoy. Of course, there's a small group like the Blue Dog Dems who get so much money from Big Health and Big Pharma that they could probably pay for their own health care, thanks very much. Philosophy doesn't have anything to do with it: It's in their financial best interests to keep federally-funded health care away from Ragamuffins like you.
Selfish, perhaps, but understandable from a Blue Dog/Republican perspective.
So what should be done? Glad you asked.
I suggest we just stop talking about the Public Option altogether and concentrate on an opt-OUT provision.
If the President is correct, it should make no difference in the taxes one pays each year--it could be as simple as a matter of philosophy. And if ever taxes have to be raised to pay for it, then the taxes will only be raised on those who benefit from it, i.e. those who have opted in. This would likely please the Libertarians who seem to like the toll road approach.
But wait a minute. Doesn't the Public Option already have something like that? Well, yes. That's why it's called Option.
But here's the catch: Opt OUT can only be done once---and it must be done BEFORE the bill is voted upon.
Sure, I know that would make things a little complicated, but it could also serve as a national poll, a referendum and an initiative all rolled into one. If you like the idea of the Public Option, just ignore the form. If you don't like the Public Option, then sign the Opt-OUT form and send it in. . .today. Right Now.
What could be easier? It would give the shouters at the town hall meetings an opportunity to align their choice of health care with their rhetoric. Right there. Right now. To save money further, there could even be an additional check box on the form where these people could be given the opportunity to relinquish Medicare as well--and that Retired-Military-Brass variety that Joe Wilson currently enjoys.
If Joe Wilson is confronted with an Opt-OUT form like that, it might really give him something to shout about. Or maybe he just wouldn't say anything at all.
But I'll bet he wouldn't sign it.