Role of Government

While I am a democrat, I often side with libertarians that want the government to stay out of their life.  Americans can make their own decisions. I also feel strongly that federalism is important. Let the people in counties or towns decide what is good for their community. But as with most circumstances, there are exceptions. There are some areas in our society that require the government to take control and make decisions or provide resources. I feel health care is one of those areas. While I support a free market, this is not a free market question. Allowing consumers to set the price for a gallon of milk is fine with me. Allowing medical institutions and insurance companies to set the price for health care is not. This industry is not like the auto industry. If Detroit prices its cars out of reach of its customers, people will not buy them. When hospitals price their services out of the reach of working men and women, they still get the business because the product they sell is not a luxury. It is a necessity. When emergency rooms charge $1200 for a 5-minute exam that is robbery. I have two suggestions. Do away with all insurance companies and let there be a rue free market. If hospitals did not have their partnership with insurance companies to allow them to charge exorbitant prices, things would change. An alternative would be a state sponsored system that made certain EVERYONE in the United States would receive health care without fear of losing all of their belongings they have worked for all of their lives. Would there be a significant cost? Certainly. Is it worth it? I think so.