Health Insurance or Jail
Your choice. I know, the “big” choice for people was supposed to be “eat cat food or buy medicine.” Yes, I know that was all lies, but still. This time, the choice isn’t lies. Massachusetts is quite clear, and they’re now putting their punishments in place. You WILL purchase the health insurance the state DEMANDS that you BUY, or you WILL be put in jail.
Worse, this is yet another government program gone insane, because it gives MORE incentive to break more laws. My thinking goes like this:
If I lived in MA, I wouldn’t buy health insurance, just on principle. Therefore, I would be breaking the law and would be jailed (because I’d refuse to pay the fine). But, it turns out the only way they get you to pay the fine is when you file your taxes. Therefore, since I’m already a criminal, according to the state, I guess I just shouldn’t file my taxes so they wouldn’t fine me. Great, now I’m breaking more laws.
Then again, anyone want to guess how many illegal aliens file taxes? So they’re getting a free pass on this law, too. Massachusetts is quite clear: laws are optional and they will be enforced with prejudice. Justice does not exist in that state. But don’t worry, Hillarybama McCain will likely bring the same thing to the country. How far in advance should I make reservations for my jail cell?
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What do you think the intent of the law is?
Brian, anytime Gooberment makes laws to “force people” to do things there are usually $$$ involved and pockets being lined at taxpayer expense. All freedom loving Americans will be criminals before long, so Ogre, you will have lots of company in jail.
so you would argue that the law’s intent was so that law makers could personally profit?
The intent of the law, stated or not, is to exercise control over people.
It has nothing to do with “helping” people or “providing health care” at all. A side effect of the law, and one of the ways it was supported, was to “help everyone get health care.” Of course, the fact that it takes freedom and directly, severely punishes people while reducing the availability of health care never entered into the discussions.
what do you think is less moral: government “stealing” some of your money, or a child who is sick and is not cared for because he has no insurance? And do you think it is moral for me to have to pay for your healthcare if you are hurt and do not have health insurance?
Less moral? That doesn’t make sense. You’re comparing government taking and government redistribution. I prefer freedom. And sorry, but freedom has no feelings, it just is. It’s the ultimate in fairness because everyone is free.
No, under no circumstances do I think it is moral for me to hire people with guns to show up at your house and take money you earned so that I can buy something I want.
Im not sure how differing degrees of morality doesn’t make sense to you. It confuses me to no end how somebody as smart as you feels no compassion for his fellow man. You have no conern for the well being of society, only for yourself and your money. This law is good for the state economically and socially.
So, then, am I understanding you correctly: Do you think it IS o.k. for me to hire mercenaries and pay them with money that I stole from someone else and use the mercenaries to hunt you down and take your money so that I can have that money to do with as I please? Is that really your position? Because I’m using the money for what I deem to be “good,” of course.
And don’t bring compassion into this, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with compassion. It’s NOT compassionate or charitable to steal.
See this is frustrating because you know and I know that thats not what I said. I am in favor of this Law. This Law involves a tax, if you do not pay that tax there are consequences. Something tells me that if I decided I didn’t want to contribute to the defense budget this year you’d take issue with that.
I look around and I see poor families unable to take their children to the doctor. I think to myself, we are the greatest country the world has ever known, we have the best hospitals and the best doctors and no person should have to struggle for healthcare. Not only that, but I am happy (as a tax paying resident of MA) to help these people.
And it does have to do with compassion. All you see is government and it blinds you with hatred. Look beyond the fact that you are going to lose some money. I have often seen you post about religion, morals, ethics, etc. And I think it is incredibly hypocritical that you feel no moral obligation to help those less fortunate. It is not compassionate or charitable to steal, nor is it to turn your back on those in need of help.
Theft is NOT compassionate, period.
The part you’re not getting is that government cannot do ANYTHING without taking from someone else.
PEOPLE can be compassionate. I’m glad that you want to help people. You are being quite selfish in saying that you think I’m not helping people. I help people quite a bit more than you might imagine — but *I* help people, I don’t ask government to shoot and imprison people so that I can force others to help.
That’s the difference — in a free country, people are free to help others. If I didn’t pay tens of thousands of dollars in taxes each year, I’d use tens of thousands of dollars to help people. When government takes that money, they get their cut, then they use a couple thousand to help people. That’s WRONG.
It’s horrible, selfish, and evil to force people to help others. That’s not helpful and it’s wrong. If you want to help people, GREAT! But NO ONE benefits when government forces others to “help” people.
Do you and I benefit from police and fire departments? What about the U.S. Marines? which I pay for and am happy to do it. Is government not forcing me to pay for these things? is it not helping people? I never said you don’t help people. but what I am going by is your vehement opposition to this law, which as I said before, is economically and socially beneficial to the state.
People need food. Don’t you think we should use government to buy food? Won’t everyone benefit if we buy everyone food? It would be economically and socially beneficial to the state, wouldn’t it?
like food stamps? whats your point?
No, I think government should provide food for everyone. If we can and should force people to buy insurance because it’s “good,” then we should force people to buy the correct amount of food because it’s “good.”
The think I think you’re not getting is the difference between voluntarily helping and forced “helping.” In a free country, people are free to help others. In a socialist state, government forces people to help others. That’s wrong.
Here, let’s try another:
Which is better for the “public good” — you using your money to buy food because you haven’t eaten in a week, or little Johnny getting a well-visit to the doctor before he plays soccer? Which is better for the “public good” — you graduating from college and being able to buy a car so you can work at a job; or a 79-year old getting Viagra? Under the current plan in MA, you don’t get the choice — government has decided for you what is the better “good.” With freedom, YOU get to decide which is better and you get to do it.
Well I think if starvation was a rampant and serious problem in MA than the government would probably take a look at the situation. And I think that the examples you provide are pretty extreme and are not an accurate representation of the effects of the law.
Something has been bothering me too about your concept of freedom, because if your not biased than MA must be the most free state in the country. Should Gay people be free to get married. I am personally ambivelent but I would be curious to see if your freedom extends to everybody.
The examples I gave are exact representations of the law. You are not permitted, by law, to determine what you need the most. You are not determined to decide if you want to spend your money on food or transportation — you are required to purchase health insurance or you go to jail.