"The Workout Plan"

My American Civ. professor broached his views of healthcare reform last night during class, and I almost fell out of my chair from laughing. I think the Democratic Big Three ought to consider reshaping their proposals for universal healthcare around Professor Corbin's ideas.

Aside from some superficial differences in structure and timing, the thrust of the Democratic move for healthcare reform is to increase taxes on everyone making over $250,000 (or, in one case, $200,000) a year, and use the money to fund health insurance for the poor, combined with new legislation to force employers to provide healthcare on a more uniform basis. Now, these plans seem backwards to me on several levels, but my principal frustration is this: rather addressing the root of the problem, these plans subsidize the symptoms of poor life-choices.

What is the number one, undisputed killer in America? Cholesterol. If you die in America, chances are it was from a heart attack caused by clogged arteries. Now, how (generally) does one attain high cholesterol? By eating McDonald's four times a week, pizza the other three nights, and exercising once a year.

I want to see Barack Obama take the stage, and, in his assuring baritone, say, "My healthcare plan is simple: all Americans should eat less fat and sugar, exercise more, and drink lots of water. Then, we won't need to go to the hospital so often, so we might actually be able to afford to pay some of our own bills. After that happens, we'll talk about the government picking up the tab."

(I love a good over-generalization, don't you?)

Of course, the problems run deeper than just lifestyle choices (though, I think the solutions also require more thought than a knee-jerk grasping for redistribution of income). However, the problem surely begins with lifestyle choices. If nothing else, Hillary's new plan should include some measure for enforcing mandatory diet and exercise regimens for its recipients. "But, that would be tyranny!" detractors will exclaim. "The government doesn't get to tell us what to eat, and when to sweat!"

Of course they don't, silly--they just get to tell us how much of our money we can keep, and how much health insurance we have to pay for.