Just Words?

The United States Constitution has about 4500 words in it, including all the amendments. These 4500 words have stood the test of over 200 years. They not only govern a nation, but they help identify who we are as Americans. For the first time in history, people determined that certain rights were universal - they did not come from a King, or government. Because of this principle, this idea that we have certain unalienable rights that come from our creator, not from government, the American people have grown in ways unimaginable to most of the rest of the world. For this reason alone, we are the shining star on the hill for the rest of the world.

The health care bill that was recently passed has over 175,000 words in the bill. That is roughly 39 times the amount of words that govern this entire country. People have been arguing for over 200 years as to what some of the words meant in the Constitution. How long do you think people will be arguing what the health care bill really means??

Whether or not the idea of universal health care is a good one is a topic for another column (my opinion is that it is a bad idea). My fundamental question is, whether it is a good idea or not, is the idea of universal health care even constitutional? Maybe I can't answer that, I am not an expert in constitutional law, nor do I have a law degree. But I do have a copy of the constitution, and I have the ability to read - which may make me more of an expert than some lawyers.......

As best as I can tell, we are definitely witnessing history. From everything I can find, for the first time in history, in order to be a lawful citizen of the United States of America, you have to buy a product. Not only a product, but one that is being sold by a private company. Let me repeat that - the government is mandating that you buy a product from a private company. Now, I have looked long and hard through the Constitution. I cannot find any mention of the government forcing its citizens to buy any sort of product, never mind from a private company. Again, set aside whether health care is a good idea. Is it Constitutional????

Maybe you think to yourself, 'Well, maybe it is not Constitutional, but it should be!' My response is why should it be? If the government can force you to buy this product, what other product can they force you to buy? A government motors vehicle? 'Green' electricity that is 5 times the cost? Only certain foods?

This bill is a major expansion of the powers of the government and they know it. They realize this is a stepping stone to much greener pastures for them. If they can specify what citizens have to buy 'for their own well being and for their own good' - they can put their hands in so many of your pockets that your head will spin.

The Constitution provided for a limited Federal government. The people and states have relented much of their power to the Federal government - you must remember that the system was set up so that the people and states had the majority of the power. Unfortunately, that is not the case now.

Let me remind you again - we are now forced to buy a product, on pain of financial penalty. We are not expanding the number of hospitals, clinics and more importantly, we are not expanding the number of doctors. In fact, we will be giving all of them less money to provide the same services. Oh - and 30 million more people will now be flooding the existing system. How will it be possible to keep the same level of care, with all the extra people and the same number (and probably fewer) doctors? How much longer will it take to get tests done with that many more people in the system? How can there not be rationing of care? How can the government make you buy a product that you may not want or need?

4500 words versus 170,000. The first governs the country. The second may start the domino chain that leads to its destruction. Do words have meaning any more?