Ronald Reagan: An American Life (p. 162):
"One of the first things I told the members of my cabinet was that when I had a decision to make, I wanted to hear all sides of the issue, but there was one thing I didn’t want to hear: the political ramifications of my choices. The minute you begin saying, 'This is good or bad politically,' I said, 'you start compromising principle. The only consideration I want to hear is whether it is good or bad for the people.'"

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Five Questions about the Affordable Care Act

“Give me liberty or give me death!” Patrick Henry exclaimed. We all know this line, but can we quote anything else he said? He opened that famous speech with other wise words. After complementing the patriotism of the gentlemen who had just spoken, he said:

I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve…[In] proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth…

 I have good friends on both sides of the health care debate. Like Patrick Henry, I hope I do not sound disrespectful when I speak. We need the truth. Let us have free debate.

My five most important questions about the Affordable Care Act are as follows:
  1. Who should address the health care problem, the federal government or the states?
  2. Can we afford the ACA?
  3. Will the ACA work?
  4. Will the ACA impair our freedom?
  5. Are there feasible alternatives to the ACA?

I plan to address these questions in a series of posts. I hope I do not antagonize my friends. I want free discussion. As Patrick Henry said, “Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country…” Please join me in this search for truth.
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