The Audacity of Hope for the future, too?
Obama has spoken about hope for the future, but how far into the future. My family welcomed a new addition this past week (see the picture above, I couldn’t resist…), my newest niece. Being an uncle three times over now, with the newest time in Obama’s first (of two, hopefully) term, made me reflect on the progress that we’ve made, and the tough road ahead. Three of the biggest things to Americans, and issues that we always hear talked about during election time are social security, education, and healthcare. These are very volatile topics, and I do not envy those on Capitol Hill that get to argue these points. I am somewhat disappointed however in many people’s reactions to some of the attempts at movement going forward.
Let’s start with social security. I realize that we work hard for our money. Everyone, whether it be a janitor, a restaurant worker, a claims adjuster, a doctor, or a professional performer. I also realize that with higher responsibility and required training, the more we are rewarded with wages. People complain however about Obama wanting to raise the payroll tax. First, I don’t think people realize how few of us this will actually affect. For lack of a better analogy, he’s trying to Robin Hood the situation. He wants to take additional money from higher class and higher wage recipients and set this aside for the general public that will eventually need social security. People are upset about this? Really? This is too socialist? Not really. Anyone who has taken a basic economy class or political science class will understand that a true capitalist system with absolutely no re-distribution of wealth eventually leads to an extinction of the middle class. I would rather loose an extra $5 from my paycheck every month rather than know that unless I win the lottery my children will be on welfare their entire lives. A little of an overstatement, but you get the point. I’m also not sure about anyone else, but with the recent market conditions and the nose-dive we’ve experienced, does anyone REALLY want to privatize social security still? Hopefully not…
Education: An interesting meeting at Michigan State. I won’t harp on this too long, but I am STOKED that Obama realizes how expensive education is, but how valuable it is at the same time. The more people that can go get (more) education, the more people are needed at these schools, the more jobs. Also, the better qualified worker will produce a better product, making business better, stronger, and more competitive (not only domestically, but overseas). I applaud Obama on this, and I’m interested to see the workings of this $12 billion jump start.
Lastly, healthcare. *Sigh*. I don’t even know what annoys me most about this. Regardless of class (for the most part), retiree’s love Medicare and Medicaid. These are, in essence, similar to a “social” program. Not necessarily socialist, but there seem to be some roots… Regardless, people again are complaining about the socialist turns this country is taking. Am I one of the few that really does not see the benefit of a “king of the hill” nation? How does this help us? Besides, people argue that this will ruin healthcare in our country. What? Everything is circular, no one will even know. We either get taxed for it, it comes out of our paycheck, we obtain a huge public healthcare system, and we pay for it that way. OR, doctors and hospitals charge even MORE than the ridiculous prices than they already do, and from the people that can’t pay, they make up their losses on car accident claims, workers comp claims, and other means, and the cost for insurance and benefits sky rockets. Trust me, the poor little doctors and hospitals will be just fine. Know what concerns me? A CT machine that costs anywhere from $150K to $250K, and we get charged about $1K per scan. I’m sure the average hospital uses one at LEAST five scans per day, which means that they make their money back on a CT machine within 30-50 days. Pretty sure they keep them for longer than that…
Ok, ok, I’m off the soapbox. I just needed to let people know that things really aren’t as bad with Obama’s plans as Conservatives on the Hill make it sound.
-Sully
