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Sunday, July 19, 2009

Why the Rush on Health Care?

Why is Obama so eager to have his healthcare "reform" voted on before members of Congress go home for their August recess? Because this advocate of "representative government," like many others, is a big fraud. He wants the vote to occur before the members go home and get an earful from their "constituents" about how intrusive and costly the "reform" will be. In other words, he fears he will lose votes over the recess. This is not the first time this kind of thing has happened.

Wouldn't a true democrat insist that congressmen consult with the people they allegedly represent back home before voting?

There are many reasons for agreeing with Joseph Schumpeter that representative democracy is a "sham." Here is the latest proof that even its advocates don't really believe in it. As historian Edmund Morgan argues the "sovereignty of the people" is a principle that developed as a mean of controlling not government but the people.

(For more on Morgan see this.)

6 comments:

Brittanicus said...

It is a shame that some Americans are so gullible, to the outlandish propaganda and lies spat in the newspapers, television and radio about Obama’s health care agenda. They have demonized the British, Canadian and other worthy plans. Hidden under a disguise cover, these radical entities are determined to keep the special interest organizations in absolute power. Comprising of the money-draining profitable insurance companies and their rich stockholders. They don't want any changes to the broken system of medical care, because it will hurt the status quo. I was born in England, in the county of Sussex and until the inception of the European Union and the European Parliament dictating to Britain. That they must accept millions of foreign workers, the nations medical system was exemplary. I never had to wonder if I would have to file bankruptcy, to pay my medical bills, or listen to the incessant ring of debt collectors on the phone.


On several occasions I ended up in the cottage hospital and their was never a cost applied to it, never a ream of paperwork. Incidentally, I choose my own doctor where I Lived. The longest I waited for surgery was three months, as it was not an emergency. No doctor, no hospital or specialist asking me for my Social Security number, drivers license or if I was covered by a predatory for-profit insurer. No premiums, no-cops and pre-existing condition clauses. Yes! Didn't have a private room, but who cares? Today the British Isles is being submerged under a barrage of legal and illegal immigrants, who have never paid into the system, have caused some rationing. Prior to the importation of foreign labor my trips to doctor, to hospital, the eye or a dentist was paid from my taxation. Unless we pass a national health care agenda, Americans will never know what it's like to breeze through their lives, without worrying about paying for health care? Tell your Senators and Congressman you want an alternative to the--GET RICH-- insurance companies, before a Universal health care is killed. 202-224-312 REMEMBER THE INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS DON'T WANT THEIR PIECE OF THE $$$TRILLION$$$ DOLLAR PIE DISTURBED. EVEN SOME POLITICIANS HAVE THEIR DIRTY FINGERS IN THE PIE?
AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE PRIVATE HEALTH CARE, A GOVERNMENT SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM WILL ASSIST IN REVITALIZING THE WILTING US ECONOMY.

MarkZ said...

I'm not sure where you're going with this, Sheldon. A large portion of the population DOES support a national healthcare plan (or whatever the hell we're supposed to call it). If these politicians speak to their constituents, I don't see how anything will change.

Sheldon Richman said...

The polls are trending against Obama on this issue, and Obama says he wants something badly before the recess. We've seen this sort of thing before. Congressmen are easier to pressure when they are concentrated in Washington, harder to pressure when they are scattered hither and yon meeting constituents. Commentators have pointed this out, also.

MarkZ said...

Which polls?

From what I've read, people want SOMETHING to happen. Anything. Even if it's illogical and is destined to be an unmitigated disaster. Similar to the calls for government intervention in the economic "crisis".

Sheldon Richman said...

The latest WashPost/ABC poll shows slipping support. The fear among even some congressional Democrats about the costs and the bureaucracy are reflecting the declining support. The drop is more pronounced among independents, who can make or breat elections.

Here is an indication that public support is not as strong as it is made out to be.

I realize that you can get different answers from people depending on how the question is framed. Nevertheless, the increasing number of cold feet in Congress is indicative of what's going on. This makes sense of the rush to passage before the recess.

MarkZ said...

Thanks. I hadn't realized the tide had turned so strongly so quickly. Makes more sense to me now.