Las Vegas Sun

November 21, 2009

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SUN EDITORIAL:

Heller’s silly arguments

Republican says people might prefer iPod over health insurance

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 | 2:06 a.m.

Health care reform legislation pending in Congress would sensibly require that all Americans buy public or private insurance. That way, in the event of an accident or the onset of illness, most of their medical expenses would be paid through insurance premiums.

Now, health expenses incurred by uninsured people are mostly covered with money paid to the states and federal government by taxpayers.

The proposed change would save taxpayers billions of dollars a year.

Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., though, objects to saving taxpayer money in this way. On the TV program “Face to Face With Jon Ralston,” Heller last week said, “I don’t know anywhere in the Constitution where it requires a citizen here in this country to have health care.”

That is not so much an argument as it is a lame justification for siding with the Republican right wing in Congress that vehemently but incoherently opposes health care reform. It might sound good to Heller’s conservative base in Northern Nevada, providing they don’t give it a second thought.

But, realistically, how many laws passed in this country are expressly mentioned in either the federal or state constitutions? Congress and state legislatures have authority to pass laws that meet constitutional muster.

States have provided a precedent for protecting the public against avoidable costs. Imagine the public expense anytime there was a wreck, not to mention the ensuing interpersonal chaos, if states did not have mandatory auto insurance laws.

Heller went on to say that many Americans might prefer to buy an iPod rather than health insurance. But in such an either-or situation, it is not likely that the iPod buyer would be able to pay his medical bills out of pocket in the event of sickness or injury. So taxpayers would shoulder the cost of this uninsured person’s medical condition.

A recurring theme for members of the Republican Party is that people should take responsibility for themselves and their families. Certainly making health insurance a priority over an iPod is the responsible way to go.

Discussion: 20 comments so far…

  1. By Future
    11/15/09 at 4:11 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    "I don't know anywhere in the Constitution where it requires a citizen here in this country to have health care."

    The LV Sun says "That is not so much an argument as it is a lame justification" The LV Sun is suporting Pelosi's bill which includeds jail time for those thst do not buy insurance.

    Meanwhile the bill does not include:

    - It does NOT allow plans to cross state lines

    - It does NOT allow for catastrophic" healthcare policies

    Apparently when it comes to an expanded welfare state and have you pay for it the LV Sun has no problem dismissing the "taking" clause of the Constitution.

    Heller was being sarcastic about the IPOD vs. Insurance because in fact may of the uninsurance people that Pelosi wants to save have the money but chose not to insure themselves.

    The LV Sun laments that "a recurring theme for members of the Republican Party is that people should take responsibility for themselves and their families."

    So for $1.2 trillion dollars and 1990 pages the CBO is telling us we are getting:

    - 98% of the people NOT covered by the public option
    - 29 million NOT covered by health insurance
    - A wait time of 6 months if you have a pre-condition
    - installs a "Payment Advisory Commission" (wage, price, and rationing control board)
    - $490 billion taken away from senior's Medicare
    - $280 billion NOT paid to Doctors for services rendered
    - A new 5.4% surcharge tax on small businesses
    - A new 5.4% income tax surcharge
    - Mandatory changes to current insurance policies in five years
    - Insurance premium increases
    - It does NOT include tort reform to save money
    - It does NOT allow plans to cross state lines
    - It does NOT reduce the cost of healthcare providers
    - It does NOT have a enforceable Individual mandate
    - It does NOT allow for catastrophic" healthcare policies.
    - It does NOT preclude cost shifting.
    - It does NOT impose tort reform to reduce defensive medicine.

  2. By Burrittobandit2
    11/15/09 at 4:45 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    I have a classic ipod and I am happy with it. I hope that idiot from sweden doesn't comment on this, rather hear Bird's rant.

  3. By Birdiedreamin
    11/15/09 at 5:37 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    you can always tell when the stupid pathetic republicans are lying...
    they smile...
    think about it...
    w the scum bag liar loser clown...
    cheney the evil doer...
    sarah dumb as a bag od rocks palin...
    can't you just picture all of these maggots smiling...
    smirking...
    it's as if they are saying...
    i know what i am saying is baloney...
    but who cares...
    power corrupts...
    and i am corrupt...
    so deal with it...
    see me smiling at my outrageous statement...
    i could care less what you think...
    that smile...
    always that stupid pathetic lying republican smile...
    bottom line...
    who the hell would join the stupid pathetic lying reopublican party these days...
    only l-o-s-e-r-s!!!
    oh yeah...
    what's cooking bandit???

  4. By Dinodb
    11/15/09 at 7:24 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Hey Birdie.... ever have a different verse of that same ole song? All 3 Repubs you mentioned are no longer in office. Let's talk about one who is... Obama
    "We'll have bipartisan negotiations on healthcare broadcast live on CSpan"
    Wasn't that room full of Dems with the door locked?

    "We'll have the bill up on the web for the American people to read for 5 days before it's voted upon"
    The friggin Congress didn't even have 5 days to read 1990 pages!

    "I won't have any lobbyists connected with my administration" don't even get me started on this and the rest of his czars

    "There is an uncompromising core of the Taliban. They must be met with force, and they must be defeated." The troops, Gen McChrystal, NATO commanders, the Secty of The Army, The DOD are all still waiting for him to live up to this promise ... and the rest of us are still waiting for him to live up to any of his campaign promises as well.

    Lies? Obama seems to speak nothing but them.

  5. By jlb101
    11/15/09 at 7:40 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Rep. Heller is right on the money. His analogy of the Ipod was not the best as an Ipod is only a couple of hundred dollars. As I drive around I frequently see twenty-something young men driving a $50,000 4x4 pickup towing a $60,000 boat with two $10,000 ATVs in the bed. At home they have a $3000 TV with a $2000 stereo and have a cable that provides all the sports and movie channels for $200 per month.

    I bet anything that if their employer does not provide healthcare these young men don't provide it for themselves. They feel they are invincable.

    The choice of "toys" or healthcare is a choice these people have made but if this is supposed to be a nation of freedom and liberty, why are the young men not allowed to freely make the choice? If they knowingly make the wrong choice, they should be held accountable for it but not the taxpayers. Freedom is more important than anything else.

  6. By jldour
    11/15/09 at 8:37 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    "Health care reform legislation pending in Congress would sensibly require that all Americans buy public or private insurance."

    I am not understanding something I guess. Are we going to arrest and put in jail the homeless? I am sure that they are not going to buy insurance. How about those who are in the country illegally and are putting a tremendous burden on our health care system? Are we going to jail and fine those people as well when they cannot prove that they have purchased insurance?

  7. By okra
    11/15/09 at 8:45 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Forcing everyone to buy insurance without a (non-profit) public option will be the worst policy blunder ever enacted. Are you listening Dina and Harry? The public option is the only realistic way bring down the cost of health insurance, and if the bill passes without a strong one there is gonna be hell to pay. Man, if you think people are mad now, just wait and see what happens.

    @Editors: Just curious, why can't I comment on today's Harry article? Why no comment section? This has been brought up before, so how about an explanation for your readers?

  8. By neiman1
    11/15/09 at 9:23 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Heller didn't claim it was responsible for someone to buy and IPod instead of health insurance. His point was in a free society, it may be someone choice. Why would the Sun argue that taking freedom was the way to go?

  9. By jlb101
    11/15/09 at 9:32 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Okra- if you believe anything the government is going to do will bring down the cost of healthcare, I have a nice, almost completed bridge across the Colorado river near the dam I will sell you real cheap. Everything the idiots at the government do always costs four times what it was supposed to and works one forth as well. Why can't you people look at every major program that the government has got into, research what they (the liars) said it would cost and what it actually costs. Government is totally inept and corrupot and the fool say give me more of it. It is embarassing how far this once great country has degenerated.

  10. By Rhooster
    11/15/09 at 9:36 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Editorials by the publisher are not subject to direct criticism. The publisher is kinda like an all knowing deity. His/hers opines are above reproach. He/she don't wanna hear your critiques. If you want to, you can complain to me. I have an understanding mind and a generous heart. I will patiently read your rant and maybe even agree with you sometimes. However, don't expect the publisher to.

  11. By okra
    11/15/09 at 10:30 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Jlb101: I went to government run schools and received government run health care too. I grew up at several government run entities known as military bases. Except for the barber shop, I think they did a pretty good job 0:

    &Rhooster: LOL, Thanx bud, I didn't realize the author is the Prince of the (as long as I'm in on the dough) liberals (:

  12. By okra
    11/15/09 at 10:52 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    My bad. The HR article was written by Lisa Macaro.

  13. By mred
    11/15/09 at 12:15 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    Let's cut off the medical benefits Heller get's for himself and his family from the taxpayers and send him an IPOD nano instead.

  14. By Burrittobandit2
    11/15/09 at 12:47 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    mred, that was one of the best statements you ever made other than comedy.

  15. By LarryVegas
    11/15/09 at 1:04 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    I hear that some people would also rather purchase computers and internet connections then purchase health insurance.

    Some of them just might be posting on this discussion today...

  16. By jlb101
    11/15/09 at 1:27 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    mred-I have a better idea, lets cut everyone off of government financed medical care and return the money being paid for it to those who earned and deserve it. Justice can only be served when everyone pays for the things they need and want.

  17. By okra
    11/15/09 at 1:42 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    Right, jlb101. Becuase justice and government should only be for those who can pay the most for it...

  18. By Vegasvampire
    11/15/09 at 4:18 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    Rep Heller, the U.S. Constitution never states a "right to privacy" neither. So why do we assume we have a right to that also?

  19. By Rhooster
    11/15/09 at 10 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    I think it's time to ask the Tobacco companies for another 100 billion dollars, and the beer brewers, whiskey distillers too, and how about Domino's Pizza and Ben and Jerry's

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