Why ObamaCare scares me...

I know it's been a while, but here it is in an email format...

 

An email I wrote to a couple of friends:

 

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Good morning gentlemen,

 

As a continuation of our discussion, regarding government-run healthcare: 

 

I read this article today (read the whole thing please before you get to my questions).

 

Now, I know ObamaCare has a public "option" component, and that the private sector is supposed to remain largely intact, although what concerns me is that once we start wandering down this path, it will be encouraged, through taxing the private sector and small businesses, and eventually the Public Option will become the only viable option for Americans.  Eventually, and in short order (a decade or two) we will be left with universal public health care as this is Obama's stated preference, and this step is the first in a large succession of steps that lead to that end.

 

When I read articles like that, and I look at the agency I work within, and then I look to the examples of other government-run ANYTHING (medicare, medicaid, the US Postal Service, Social Security...) I come to the conclusion that this is a bad idea, and ultimately will do more harm than any good that the public perceives Obamacare can provide.  The faulty premise that politicians base their decisionmaking on these days is that government can do it better than the private sector.  I see no evidence of this.  The only thing the government is good at is bankrupting whatever program they create.

 

Can you guys explain why I shouldn't be afraid of government-run healthcare, from a liberal perspective?  Taxes are one thing, they can come and go depending on the administration and makeup of congress.  What fears me the most about this healthcare reform agenda that the Democratic Party and President Obama are pushing is that once it starts, there will be no going back.  It will effectively erradicate our private healthcare sector and the whole healthcare industry in general will never be the same.

 

The other side that scares me about ObamaCare is the way they are proposing to fund it.  By taxing small businesses roughly 5%.  It doesn't sound like much, but they are also increasing income tax in small business by 5% by allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire.  Glenn Beck (hold your scoffing) outlined how small businesses are being directly threatened by this Administration's policies.  Small businesses are businesses that have IIRC <250 employees.  Well over 90% of our economy.  Small businesses are the engine of this economy, that is where we find the most innovation, most growth potential, and most employees.  They (those making over $250,000) will soon be taxed at well over a 50% rate.  So they are effectively working for the government because the government takes more of their earnings than they do.  You might say that they are doing well, but when you think of where the $250K goes, it is supposed to go into building the business, hiring new employees and the like.  They are not "rich" despite what the Democratic party might have you believe.

 

I'm looking forward to your insight on this, especially you Connor, as you have a much better grasp on business than I do.

 

On a side note, this type of information is sincerely discouraging me from leaving employement with the federal government to work along side my dad.  I am going to ask his insight, and see how he plans to continue to grow his business in light of these issues.  At this very instant, it seems to make more sense staying here when the government is seemingly doing everything it can to grow itself and suck the private sector dry.  Our economy can't sustain this ideology forever.

 

Mull it over and let me know what you guys are thinking.

 

YBIC,

Rob

 

PS: Have either of you heard of Van Jones?  Just curious.  Yes or no, no Googling.

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What do my blog readers think?