Stop doing the same thing expecting different results
Historical and statistical evidence spotlight some disturbing trends.
Trickle down economics have proven not to create jobs or increase incomes – ever - Just tax breaks for the highest-income levels.
About one-third of our real estate values and stock holdings were lost in the "crash," mostly attributed to banking de-regulation.
About $50,000 of debt per person was the amount estimated to cover the big banks gambling losses – and no one was held responsible. The banks have fully recovered and then some. Have you recovered? Ready to double-down?
What can the rich do to get the poor to donate again? Will the poor resist? Not so much, we are slow learners.
We were about to provide a tax break for wealthy people who don’t need it. We would have paid for that lost revenue by eliminating heath care for the poor, the elderly, and the infirm who can’t live without it. Emergency rooms would have become primary care providers, and we’d repeat yesterday’s wrongs.
The heath care inflation rate has slowed more under the Affordable Care Act than at any time in the last 40 years - so it’s labeled a disaster and said to be collapsing. We were told repeatedly, it’s a bad law - a bad law that saved you money. Got a better idea? Solutions are rarely offered. Insurance costs are based on a shared pool of funds. Fewer contributors result in increased premiums. No emotions, just math. The insurance companies are not eager to reduce profits. The replacement offered will only have to be better than nothing at all.
"Better coverage and it will cost less" is highly unlikely.
"The Art of the Deal”?
Start with an extremely bad deal, follow that with a bad deal, and it would then be perceived that the second deal is a better option. We are being played, but again we are slow learners.
We have the highest health care costs, and our treatment outcomes are ranked lower than many. What is done differently elsewhere? Let’s look at the best practices of the top ten countries. They can control costs and maintain high quality standards. Why not adopt their methods?
We’ve had years to compile information and explore improvements. What have those who represent us been doing to solve these problems?
Our elected officials are expected to have our best interests in mind. Do the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few?
They knew this day was coming and did nothing. If Congress was required to carry the same coverage as regular folks, a real solution would be found quickly.
If you are hoping the ACA fails for the neediest, who are you supporting? Repealing the ACA will make decent health care a luxury.
The most feared consequence by those in the House and Senate is to not be re-elected. Have they earned our trust?
Your neighbors may align with a different political party, but they share the same concerns and use the same doctors and hospitals. They have sick children, too.
We, the people of the United…
The writer lives in Horry County.
This story was originally published July 23, 2017 at 10:21 AM with the headline "Stop doing the same thing expecting different results."