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Dec. 9, 2004 Millions of principled, decent Americans work long hours, often putting in a full week’s work, without ever receiving comprehensive insurance from their employers. In the government, however, the insurance coverage is second to none – that’s why so many people are unwilling to leave. On average, more men are offered coverage than women, and fewer full-time employees are being offered insurance than ever before. This is a situation that must be discussed. The Democratic Party must begin a dialogue with the American people, the Republicans, the President and each other on the subject of insuring working Americans. The current system, where some workers must buy their own insurance while others have it provided, does not run with the ideals of this nation. In a Democracy, especially one such as this, the people must feel secure in their environment. They will not if they are uninsured. The Far Right will let loose their siren song of “Socialism” upon hearing any proposal that the government take on the burden of insurance. “Higher taxes,” they will bellow, diving under their desks. When the government assists a working, independent American in receiving protection from exorbitant dental, optical or hospital bills, most Americans would call that good government, not “Socialism.” A program of comprehensive insurance for the employed and underemployed can be brought about without raising taxes. All we must do is have a reasoned, critical discussion of some of the pork bills in Congress, and whether that money would be better spent serving the interests of the people. In order for Democrats to move back to representing the people, we must move with the feelings of the people. Fighting the bold cause of Roe v. Wade will not interest voters whose only concern is avoiding getting the flu. The economic benefits of a national employment insurance program are readily apparent. If a worker spends $50 on a dental surgery instead of $450, that worker is more likely to either invest or spend the remaining money on something needed or wanted. When Americans have more money and feel safer knowing they will not be driven out of house and home if a loved one is injured, they are more likely to spend that money on leisure items. Security is an essential of good economics. A comprehensive insurance program for workers does not need to extend to those who already have their own insurance programs, but it should be an option. In exchange for a low, fixed rate from a paycheck, an employer should allow the option of taking the federal insurance program. Private insurance policies – and their high rates – could then be cashed in for even more capital. A national insurance program does not mean insuring everyone. Only employees who have worked for a set amount of time at a full-time job, regardless of where in the employment sector that job is located, should be eligible for this low- cost government insurance program. At the risk of sounding heartless, insurance costs a lot of money, and we can’t allow this prospective program to become like Welfare has become. We must set up a system of checks to make sure that those on the program are using it ethically, and to make sure the program is still efficient. This will be a bi-partisan task if there ever was one. It will be a large order to fill: insuring the American workforce from harm and damage, from accidents and foreclosures, from suffering and debt. This should be done not because it is popular – it certainly is not – but because it is fundamentally the right thing to do. We must act for the betterment of the American people. If we do not do that, being a Democrat or Republican, Libertarian or Independent, will be nothing but carrying an empty title and a barrel of pork. ------------ About the author: Max Burns is a 17-year-old Democrat with moderate, centrist ideals. He blames John Kerry's 2004 loss on John Kerry, and is authoring a pamphlet on how to refine the Democratic Party for Victory in 2008 and beyond. For more information, check out The New Democrat. Read the fantasy-fiction novel "Alcardia". Email: DeMBurns@gmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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