OP-ED ON THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH PLAN

Dems' Plan Is Hidden Tax
Thursday, July 23, 2009
By Jim Scarantino

This editorial was published in today's ABQ Journal.

"Tucked into the Democrats' health care reforms is a carbon tax on every man, woman and child in America . It's not labeled a carbon tax, but that's precisely what it is, for it weighs on anyone who emits carbon by the simple act of breathing. You can escape this tax by earning so little money the government isn't interested in your wallet. Or you can die.

"This tax on breathing comes in the form of mandatory purchase of health insurance, whether you want it or not, and regardless whether you will ever need the coverage you will be forced to buy. The surplus premiums the government wrings from you equal a tax that pays for other people's health care.

"Democrats will make it illegal to live without buying a health insurance plan approved by the politicians and bureaucrats who will oversee the federal takeover of the nation's health care industry. Americans will be required to certify on their income tax returns that they have complied. Failure to answer correctly will result in serious monetary fines. Democrats project collecting over $100 billion in penalties without any obligation to provide some service in return.

"A massive enforcement apparatus will hunt down Americans who have done nothing wrong but mind their own business. It is not inconceivable that the government could place liens on homes and garnishee paychecks because some citizens refuse to surrender their money for government-mandated insurance policies instead of funding higher priorities in their lives, like college tuition or starting a new business.

"I would have fallen into this category of villains when I was launching a solo law practice. I lacked enough money to purchase health insurance for myself and my wife, while also covering start-up and operating costs and a secretary's salary and benefits. To avoid going into debt, I elected to purchase only a catastrophic incident policy. It had a sky-high deductible but a tiny price I could afford. For anything except disaster, we were effectively uninsured. Many small businesspeople have made the same call and survived to tell the tale.

"That legitimate exercise of rational decision-making would be outlawed under the Democrats' plan. A party that bills itself as tolerant and pro-choice has declared it will not tolerate individuals choosing to meet their health care needs as they see fit. Government will now make that decision. Woe to those who resist. The IRS knows how to find you.

"So much for the mantra of “our bodies, ourselves.” Our sniffles, broken bones, sore joints and internal plumbing will become federal issues, though we never invited the government into our affairs by seeking its assistance. The quaint concept of personal autonomy will be relegated to the dim, brutish, pre-Obama past.

"This is the new “culture of coverage.” Instead of promoting personal responsibility and self-reliance, government will indoctrinate its citizens in the merits of hitching a free ride on other's backs.

"Organized calisthenics will involve extending an arm forward from the shoulder, turning one hand to the sky, and holding that pose until free stuff graces the palm. All citizens must participate. Them that's got, give it up. Everyone else, find your place in line.

"This culture of coverage ducks the hard questions our President says we must face. It does not address escalating health care costs, due in no small part, let's be frank, to reckless, ignorant and stupid behavior by rich and poor alike. It will not reduce Medicare fraud or deter defensive diagnoses and procedures. People who over-consume medical services because they don't feel the pinch of paying their own bills won't change. This isn't reform, but an unprecedented grab for money, expanded powers, and control over what should remain very personal aspects of our private lives."

[Reprinted with permission from Mr. Scarantion.]

[Jim Scarantino spent 25 years practicing law, including time as a prosecutor in Philadelphia and New Mexico . He concluded his legal career as the ACLU-New Mexico's lawyer of the year in 2006. Scarantino also served as executive director of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and Republicans for Environmental Protection. He currently writes a monthly report for the Rio Grande Foundation. E-mail: jimscarantino@gmail.com ]