Your Finances are the Nations Problem

Did someone say the economy is in the toilet?  It looks like the Fed moved today to prevent a recession.  They cut one of the benchmark interest rates by .75%.  That is three quarters of a percent to those of you who like to think of it in those terms.

What does this have to do with your freedom and liberty?  Everything.  It means that the government is really concerned about the economy slipping into a recession.  But doing this will cause energy prices to stay high.

Look at it this way.  When our money is plentiful and easy to get, or cheap to get, then it is not worth as much on the world market.  The world market determines what the price of goods and services are, not the USA.  

And since our money is no longer backed by gold but by the government itself, then when we print more or make it easier to get, the less valuable it becomes.  Right now, those low interest rates make our dollar less valuable and thus nobody wants to own our dollars.

It has gotten so bad that now the Canadian dollar is worth more than the US Dollar.  I cannot remember the last time this was the case.  

It will mean a few things.  Notice how the housing market is still in the toilet.  Why is that when interest rates are supposed to be coming down.  They are not coming down.  In fact people are losing their homes because the adjustable rates are still going up.

Why else do you think the Democrats are talking a freeze on interest rates on mortgages.  The value of the dollar is also making the cost of oil go through the roof.  Of course you have to pay for that as well.  You pay higher gas prices and higher home heating prices.

So lets see, you make our dollar worth less.  You cause the price of fuel to skyrocket and that in turn causes the price at the pump to go up.  This takes more cash out of your pocket.  All the while your investments do not do as well.  Lower interest rates also mean you don't earn as much on your investments.

You have less cash in your pocket and you have to pay more to keep the home you probably should not have bought in the first place.  Now can you begin to see how this is starting to look like the perfect storm of economic doom for many people?

Even if we avert a full recession the damage is already done and it will take the USA a long time to dig out from under this mess.  Part of the blame rest with the American people.  We have to much debt, which means most Americans work for the credit card companies and cannot save or invest in their own futures let alone invest in the future of the nation.

You have high debt, you get low returns on simple investments, you pay more for your home and energy and food, you have less money to do the things you want to do and you add the fact that the media is scaring the hell out of every body and you should now know how and why this affects your freedom and liberty.

If we go down as a nation, you can only blame the individual for our government is only reacting to our own greed and stupidity.  

Health Care by Government, Only if You Want Medicare for Everone

There has been a lot of talk about health care. There has been a lot of talk about the 35 to 45 million people in the USA that have no health insurance coverage. The politicians claim that these people all want coverage but can't afford it.

Lets be honest here. First of all, not all those 35 to 45 million Americans want insurance. There are many who do not want to spend the money even if they can afford it. I remember when I was in my teens. I did not want to pay for health care coverage that did not make sense to me. Most people who are healthy in their teens and twenties don't see the need for regular health insurance. They don't visit doctors on a regular basis and they know they would be throwing their money away.

Well now, according to 60 Minutes, we have millions of people who are under insured. These people can't afford the co-payment or they don't have dental or eye care as a part of their current coverage. So that boost the number of people who do not have proper health coverage to nearly 100 million people.

That means that one third of the US population does not access the health care system. I find that hard to believe.

First of all, I do not believe that health care is a basic right. I'm sorry, but it is not. It is a business like any other. If it was not a business where a profit could be made, then you would not have the advancements we have had. Yes, if something goes wrong, I certainly want the best possible medical attention I can afford.

That is key. The word afford. Yes, I am sure I have just pissed off a lot of people but that will not change my view. I have been on both sides of the isle. I have had health care coverage and I have been without it. I have always been healthy and I rarely go to a doctor.

Some people would say I am crazy for not visiting my doctor on a regular basis. Why should I? There is very little in our world that people access when they don't need to.

The point is, there is nothing on this planet other than breathing that is given to anyone free of charge. You even have to work for your food. So why do we think we can take what is essentially a business and start giving it away or dictating the cost and price of it.

Communist and Socialist countries have all tried to make parts or all of their health care a free and open access policy and they have all failed or they are currently failing. Canadians come to the USA for basic health care needs because they cannot get them in Canada or their waiting list is too long for the good of their health.

England, Sweden and other socialistic nations have had to change or overhaul their government health care system because their old systems were not working and/or it was bankrupting the government and the people.

Those of you calling for the Federal Government to take over your health care should take a look at Medicare and Midicaid. They should also look at the VA system. All three are in shambles and are shameful examples of how government can screw up your health care.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has changed their health care system. They say they are doing everyone a great service. The only problem is they are in the back pockets and in the bedroom of every one of their citizens. In Massachusetts if you are 18 years old or older you MUST have health insurance. If you don't, then the state will fine you. Now of course if you fall within certain income guidelines you are eligible for a state plan. Again you are forced to have something you may not want. It is not the same as being forced to have car insurance. You can chose to not own or drive a car. The only choice you have with health insurance is to move out of the state.

And yes, Massachusetts is losing population. The neighboring states of New Hampshire and Rhode Island are gaining a good portion of those fleeing the over taxation and over regulation in Massachusetts

Health care and health insurance is not FREE nor is it cheap. To say you want the government to give it to you is ludicrous. It is the very definition of insanity. I do not want an organization that already has made a mess of health care to be in charge of my health care.

I am one of those very healthy people even though high blood pressure and diabetes runs in my family. I choose not to go to the doctor for a number of reasons. Mainly because I am healthy and I eat right and exercise and just plain take care of myself. It is safe to say that if the majority of Americans lived the way I lived, there would not be nearly as high a need for drugs and doctors as we have now. And yes I do eat sweets and junk food on occasion.

The point is, when the government get hold of your health care, they will be able to tell you how to live if you want to continue getting that care. You don't think other measures will come down the pike? Think again.

There are already people in congress proposing a fat tax on snack foods similar to the taxes on tobacco. Sugar soft drinks are also in their radar sites. Yes you will be hounded and taxed to death if you do not conform to someones ideal way of life. That is the power of government and once you give them that power, it is nearly impossible to take that power away.

Remember, just like driving, you do not have a constitutional right to eat anything you want. At least that is what they will say which will give them the right to tax your eating behavior. Snack foods and other foods not deemed healthy will be viewed as privileges. Hell there may even be age limits imposed on snack foods. Petty soon you will need to be 16 or 18 or 21 years of age to buy potato chips. You think I am going too far?

Just look at tobacco, alcohol and some over the counter drugs. Don't think for an instant that the health police will not come after you or tax you and your favorite snack chip. The point is government has no business being in my or your living room, bed room, bathroom or anywhere else in your private life. But you allow them to take over the health care system and you will give them that right.

Not to mention you will be much poorer for it. You think health care in the USA is expensive now, just wait until the government gets hold of it. When was the last time government was able to bring down the cost of anything while keeping the service the same or improving it? Right, there has not been a time.

Our government is here for public safety, yes. Health care is not a public safety issue. You can take care of yourself. And if the government would get totally out of health care, then maybe, just as with car insurance, it will be more affordable for those who want it.

Just think. Right now you can get a health coverage plan in various forms. It could be an HMO or a PPO or even a major medical policy (which makes the most sense for young people who are healthy) but if the government takes control now you can only get what they say and trust me the more efficient policies out there will not be allowed.

I find it horrifying that the American people would allow the government to make decisions as personal as health care.

You had better be careful because if our health care system tanks, then where are you going to go? Already most of the world comes here for health care because your system is the best in the world. So if you destroy the best, who is left? Canada? England? Sweden? France? They all come here when they can. You, the people of the USA, my fellow Americans, will be shit out of luck.