Posted by
BrianR on Sunday, August 02, 2009 5:05:23 PM
In my last essay we examined the religion of “climate change”. Now let’s take a look at those two other totems of liberalism – “healthcare” and amnesty – and how those three policies in and of themselves have the potential of completely destroying – utterly and forever – the very essence of what makes this country what it is.
“Healthcare”
Many people are talking about “healthcare”, and how “the government” has some responsibility to step forward and make sure they have some form of “affordable” insurance. Under what constitutional theory do they make that assertion?
What part of the Constitution authorizes the government to provide one with health insurance? If you can't afford health insurance, why is that any problem of mine as a taxpayer?
Here's James Madison -- the "Father of the Constitution" -- on the subject: "I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents".
The Constitution guarantees equality of opportunity, not of outcome. Everyone has the same opportunity to buy the best insurance they can afford, and I’m sure that no matter what happens, Bill Gates is always going to be able to afford better health care than you or I can.
Let’s look at this another way: I have a right to own a Porsche. I can't afford a Porsche. How do I get the government to buy a Porsche for me?
But there’s an even greater danger that attaches, and it’s typified by the anti-smoking fascism that’s arisen in this country. I don’t use the word “fascism” lightly. Here’s the Webster’s Dictionary definition of the term: “1. A political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a central autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. 2. A tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control.”
That’s exactly what we’ve seen in the attack on smoking. Science has been subverted from the objective search for facts to the advancement of a predetermined political outcome as typified by the false and now debunked issue of “secondhand smoke”. Private property rights have been completely trampled; for example, if a bar owner wants to smoke a cigarette in his own bar, he has to leave his own premises to do so, let alone be any longer able to make the determination for himself of whether or not he wants to allow smoking in his own establishment.
All of this was justified as being for “the greater good of society”, a clear example of the rights of the individual being sacrificed on the altar of collectivism. On seeing the success of this jihad, years ago I forecast – including right here on this blog – that we’d see the same strategy employed against other “disapproved” behaviors, and that prediction has come to pass. The wars against “trans fats” and fast foods (and in fact just about anything that tastes good); the helmet and seatbelt laws; the early moves to address “obesity”… all as forecast.
Now consider the power the government can wield once it controls “health insurance”, and can justify laws concerning behavior control on the basis of actual governmental dollar expenditures through the actuarial cost of those behaviors to public “health insurance”. Nothing will be safe anymore. Do you enjoy skydiving or flying your own plane? Motorcycles? Surfing? Mountain climbing? Are you a few pounds over the “government-approved” weight for your height? Does your supermarket sell non-approved seasonings, “fats”, or sweeteners?
Anything and everything can be regulated, controlled, or banned based on the rationale of an actual dollar cost to “the public”. This opens the door to absolute and complete control by the government of any individual human activity, virtually without exception.
The Macro and the Micro
There are two comparative states of existence: the macro, having to do with the aggregate or overall body being considered; and the micro, having to do with the smaller components that comprise the macro. In a sociological context, the macro would be the society as a whole, and the micro would be the individuals that make up that society.
“Climate change” legislation empowers the government to control the macro aspects of our society through imposition of energy and emission regulations, cap-and-trade taxation, CAFE mandates, land and property usage restrictions, and a host of other broad and sweeping powers justified under the aegis of protecting society from its own collective activities. That’s complete control of the macro, i.e. society in general.
“Healthcare” legislation gives the government the ultimate power to approve any individual person’s activity based on the “costs” to healthcare of that activity. That’s complete control of the micro, i.e. the individual’s right to self-determination.
The macro and the micro, under direct government management and approval. In other words, everything. Individual liberty would no longer exist as anything more than an arcane idea and a chimera, a catchphrase used solely for political purposes and sloganeering. The actual right to make our own decisions for ourselves as to lifestyle and activities would be completely usurped by the government.
Now add amnesty
It is estimated that there are between 12 million and 30 million illegal aliens in this country, most under-educated and unskilled. If these people are given amnesty and a “path to citizenship”, the net effect will be to add that number of people – as well as those they can then sponsor into the country – to the rolls of people who are net consumers of government services and subsidies.
Once having attained citizenship, these people also become voters. Is this a demographic that’s likely to vote to reduce government programs on which they depend for their income and support? Of course not.
At that point, the game is finally over for this country… forever. Those who believe in traditional conservatism will be completely outnumbered at the polls… permanently. The liberals – primarily Democrats – will continue their massive government giveaways, essentially buying votes (an activity that if done by an individual is actually illegal) with government money. If they hope to win any elections at all, Republicans will be forced to accelerate their capitulation on core values and run even harder to the Left. There won’t be anyone left to promote basic American values anymore.
The cycle of destruction will be complete. The United States will continue to exist as a place on the map, just as Rome still exists, but the essence of this country – its traditional values and liberties – will be gone for good.