The unaffordable healthcare crisis is killing the middle class. The government will have to eliminate all wasteful spending (a new concept) and focus on the necessary. I have employer based health insurance, but that could change and I feel sorry for anyone who does not have it.

Suppose you were fiftyish and have a very strong work record, but your employer of the ten years laid off most of its workers, including you, and now you can not find a job that pays even seven dollars an hour with insurance. Now, lets suppose you have a few health issues like diabetes, etc.. Don't forget that in this story you have spent a great deal of time building your life and teaching your children right from wrong because that's what you were brought up to do. You are one crisis away from losing everything you have ever worked for and even though you have strong work ethic you can not support your family.What if IF YOU BECOME INJURED OR ILL? ARE YOU GOING TO JUST DIE BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE WORKED FOR, OR ARE YOU GOING TO JUST LOSE EVERYTHING? WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN YOUR CHILDREN GET SICK???? What would you do if YOU were the individual in this story? Please respond with a better solution than national health care because I am curious about what all of you anti healthcare reform people have to say. I am in this situation and did nothing wrong to deserve it. If you can offer a better solution to me, I will consider it. What are all of you people? Rich? On Welfare? How can these issues not affect you? Why shouldn't the middle class families be allowed to have healthcare?

The constitution does not authorize the government to engage in entitlement programs. So yes, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are unconstitutional.

Health care for those who served is constitutional because the constitution authorizes congress to provide and maintain the military. Keeping our solders healthy is an obvious one.

Unfortunately, most Americans have been conned into believing that the government will provide for them. So immediately eliminating S.S., Medicaid, and Medicare would be disastrous. What needs to happen is for an average age to be found, (20, 30, 40, etc) where the average person would be able to fund their own retirement (Someone 20yrs old can, someone 65, probably not). From that age, anyone younger will NOT get Social Security, or Medicare, or Medicaid, nor will they pay the taxes for it. Anyone older will still receive those entitlements. The entitlements would be paid out of the general budget.

While it would be a huge expense at first, eventually those programs would vanish, and people would have to take responsibility for their own retirement.

And MO, since you like to see sources, below are the sources I have for claiming it's unconstitutional. Those who claim it is constitutional claim the "general welfare" clause of Article 1 sec 8 covers it. Here's my sources that say otherwise:

“With respect to the two words ‘general welfare,’ I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators.” --- James Madison

“Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.” — Thomas Jefferson

“The government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.” — James Madison

“If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the general welfare, the government is no longer a limited one possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one subject to particular exceptions.” -- James Madison

“I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it.” — Benjamin Franklin

“To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it.” -Thomas Jefferson

“A wise and frugal government … shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.” -Thomas Jefferson

P.S. There's alot more where those came from, if these haven't proved anything to you.

Find me the words in the constitution that allow the government to create SS, Medicare, and a Healthcare takeover? Quit hoping to get something for free, sick.

If you want to know why healthcare is so expensive it's because we have cool stuff now-a-days like MRIs, also sleazily lawyers and lack of competition. If you think its fine to use the government to FORCE someone to pay for stuff for you then you need your head examined. Why can't you people take care of yourselves? I know there are people out there watching a huge TV with mountains of debt, ipods, new cars, and other crap hoping the government will steal enough to pay for their healthcare, SICK.

And MO why do you ignore my questions? Can you name one entitlement program that has actually cost what these scummy politicians have said it would? Maybe you could find just one while you’re doing your “research”. Government spending will end America, there’s no doubt about that. You people want to deficit spend for free crap so there will be no hope for your kids or grandkids, how selfish can one be?

You say that “Socialized medicine is clearly unconstitutional”. So Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Hospitals are all unconstitutional and should be done away with immediately??? Tell me how that would work.

How is a public option socialism or in your words unconstitutional? You could say the same about social security, vet benefits, Medicare, Medicaid. So do you want to take these away?
Not sure where source you are using for your claims (please post sources), but you might want to broaden that search a bit.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091029/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114279834

Socialized medicine is clearly unconstitutional. There shouldn't even be a debate about it.

But, since our elected representatives love wiping their behinds with the Constitution, let's look at some things....

The $900 Billion cost for the next 10 years is a bit of a scam.

Yes, it will cost $890 Billion over the next 10 years like the CBO says, but the way to do that is by implementing all of the tax hikes now, so the government can start collecting revenue. The "benefits" of the bill wouldn't go into effect for 3-5 years. This of course brings down the cost over the first 10 years to the $890 Billion, instead of what it would actually cost if the government was giving us the "benefits" for the full 10 years.

Next, these bills will fine/tax/imprison those who even under this bill can't afford health insurance. This isn't a tax on the rich, since they can afford their insurance, or the fine if they don't buy insurance. This is a tax/fine on the poor. What is the point in that? Add financial hardships to those already having a tough time? I thought the democrats were the party of the "working man".

Where are your sources to these claims, Amarillo???
Here's more fact checks for you:
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/10/ahip-on-the-attack-50-percent-of-what/

Here is a report regarding the CBO & the current bill which will have some merging with the Baucus bill (CBO report below) :
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/07/cbo-release-cost-report-sweeping-senate-health-care-reform/

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/106xx/doc10642/10-7-Baucus_letter.pdf

We can disagree, but let's at least try to research it a little.

You should look at history rather than claims either way. And you don't even know what’s in these bills at the moment. Reid won't even let the DEMOCRATS know what’s in it until the CBO scores it. When politicians passed Medicare do you think the CBO said in the year 2050 the will be a 40 TRILLION WITH A T deficit for the program? You know what people said to those who said cost will outpace revenue? The same things they're saying about people now. Name one entitlement program that has cost what the government predicted, you can’t, every single entitlement program spends more money than they tell you it will. It’s a fact. And you people wanting this are acting like the money floats from the sky. When they say the bill costs 900 billion where do you think this money comes from? TAXES. This bill if nothing else is a TAX INCREASE TO THE TOON OF 900 BILLION…..a job killer to the nth degree. What are you just gunna hope your neighbor has to pay and not you? John Edwards made 100 million dollars suing doctors in just a few years, you paid this through higher premiums, lets start with TORT REFORM and go from there.

You should look at history rather than claims either way. And you don't even know what’s in these bills at the moment. Reid won't even let the DEMOCRATS know what’s in it until the CBO scores it. When politicians passed Medicare do you think the CBO said in the year 2050 the will be a 40 TRILLION WITH A T deficit for the program? You know what people said to those who said cost will outpace revenue? The same things they're saying about people now. Name one entitlement program that has cost what the government predicted, you can’t, every single entitlement program spends more money than they tell you it will. It’s a fact. And you people wanting this are acting like the money floats from the sky. When they say the bill costs 900 billion where do you think this money comes from? TAXES. This bill if nothing else is a TAX INCREASE TO THE TOON OF 900 BILLION…..a job killer to the nth degree. What are you just gunna hope your neighbor has to pay and not you? Some will pay with their jobs when employers fire people rather than pay fines and taxes. John Edwards made 100 million dollars suing doctors in just a few years, you paid this through higher premiums, lets start with TORT REFORM and go from there.

And as for the Opt-out BS, will you be able to opt out of the taxes and fines or just the money coming back? No one knows, Reid won't tell you. More government, less freedom.

If the public option is left optional for the states, it will easily be passed by the voters. Can you smell the fear?

That's why I check claims (Democrat & Republican) with various fact check sites (supplied some in last post), different articles, and other news sources. You're right don't take claims at face value, but do a little work & don't rely on just one source for your info.
Tort reform was mentioned in Obama's address. You might also want to check out this fact check on tort reform:
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/10/malpractice-savings-reconsidered/

I'm basing my opinion on the health reform that has been written and what is being discussed currently (opt out option for states, "trigger" public option which was an idea from Senator Snowe). Both parties agree that if we keep the status quo that will be an even bigger problem. It seems the best plan would be to take all claims/discussions and make the best legislature based on that. Hardline partisanship will not result in any resolution.

You're right anyone can make claims, even politicians. They'll claim it cuts costs when it really won't. They'll claim it won't affect folks happy with their insurance, it will. They'll claim it won't add to the deficits, it will. They'll claim they won't increase wait times, it will. They'll claim it all this stuff and the only thing you need to look to to understand they're liars is history. Don't believe their claims, MO. "The only thing worse than throwing a man into a furnace is convincing him to jump in."

What specifics MO_RON-even your beloved dumocrats don't have any specifics. My comments were based on basic principles and past experiences. Nobody knows any specifics yet, because the acual bill hasn't even been written yet, but reid wants to vote NOW!!! I don't remember hearing anything about tort reform, ever, from the dumocrats. Not to mention, everything the gov't touches turns to crap, and costs 10 times more. Take your specifics and stuff them in your pillow and sleep on it, cause thats about all their worth, right now.

You're right anyone can make claims, even politicians. They'll claim it cuts costs when it really won't. They'll claim it won't affect folks happy with their insurance, it will. They'll claim it won't add to the deficits, it will. They'll claim they won't increase wait times, it will. They'll claim it all this stuff and the only thing you need to look to to understand they're liars is history. Don't believe their claims, MO. "The only thing worse than throwing a man into a furnace is convincing him to jump in."

Here's a few fact checks:

http://www.factcheck.org/2009/08/cpr-administers-bad-facts-again/

http://www.factcheck.org/politics/print_obamas_health_care_news_conference.html

When I ask for specifics, I am asking about supporting resources to your claims. Anyone can make a claim. It would have more merit with actual resources backing it.

Specifics please? Please, the politicians don’t even have specifics yet, ya nut. How can private citizens examine a bill that’s not even written yet?

Problems with the government option:

1.) Deficits will increase dramatically just like Medicare and SS caused.

2.) Rationed care from government lackeys.

3.) Not moral or constitutional.

4.) Cost will increase dramatically because of fraud, like in Medicare.

5.) The government is not capable of running 1/6th of the US economy without screwing it up.

6.) Stifle innovation and the government won’t want to pay for new technology because of cost. In a private system if you can pay, you get the treatment, in the public system you might not have the OPTION to pay.

7.) We should trust the people who can’t even run the post office with our healthcare.

8.) It is very likely to wipe out the private health insurance options.

9.) Tax increases from this bill will make it harder to hire workers and grow businesses even in a time of recession like now. But hey these communist want that because the more dependent on them you are the more likely you’ll vote for em.

10.) 45% of doctors will think of quitting or retiring early because of government involvement. Investors Business Daily Poll I already gave you the link once.

11.) Taxpayer subsidized baby killing.

12.) Will not lower overall costs according to the CBO (the whole reason this debate started, did you forget that?)

13.) Wait times and lower survival rates.

14.) It has no TORT REFORM……because the Democrats are paid for my leeching lawyers.

Now Mr. MO What are the good things about the government taking over healthcare? Specifics please. Why don’t you quit seeing what all you can get for free from others and instead try to take care of yourself? You don’t want your neighbor paying for your healthcare do you?

Here are some polls regarding the public option & public opinion. Not as overwhelmingly against as you guys are. Note the partisan numbers but also account for the independents:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/123470/Opposition-Healthcare-Legislation-Drops-Modestly.aspx

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=a1aj4z4GhbH8

What polls are you looking at? Also what is the specific problem(s) you have with the public option? What do you see as being so terrible about it? Specifics, please.

http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/101509_poll.pdf

I agree with Mike S...the latest poll I read just this morning, 54% "strongly" disagree with Reid and only 32% "strongly" agree that we need healthcare reform.
These folks are so far removed from what the American people really want that if this wasn't so serious, it would be laughable.
I have sent Levin and Stabenow 4 emails in the last week begging them NOT to support this bill if it includes a Gov't option. They both responded with their typical Democratic, canned talking points of how this is what the American people want. Levin responded twice with exactly the same message. I don't think they even read the emails.
If this thing passes, God save us all!!

I don't know what polls reid the moron was looking at but they sure weren't real. It doesn't matter what the "people" want, these arrogant, out of control, liberal leaders, including the president, are just going to do what they want anyway. They say the Republicans should go along with them, or they are play party politics, but its the Republicans that are acting respondsible. Listening to the constituants and wanting to READ the bills BEFORE voting! Imagine that! Reid, pelosi, obama and the rest of the idiots are just JAMMING this thing down our throats! They don't even know whats in the bills, or CARE! Screw them and these STUPID ideas for health care reform. No mention of tort reform! No mention of protecting those of us (75%) that are happy with our current plans! Idiots, bordering on CRIMINAL!!!!!

I don't know what polls reid the moron was looking at but they sure weren't real. It doesn't matter what the "people" want, these arrogant, out of control, liberal leaders, including the president, are just going to do what they want anyway. They say the Republicans should go along with them, or they are play party politics, but its the Republicans that are acting respondsible. Listening to the constituants and wanting to READ the bills BEFORE voting! Imagine that! Reid, pelosi, obama and the rest of the idiots are just JAMMING this thing down our throats! They don't even know whats in the bills, or CARE! Screw them and these STUPID ideas for health care reform. No mention of tort reform! No mention of protecting those of us (75%) that are happy with our current plans! Idiots, bordering on CRIMINAL!!!!!