more Socialism?

Since my last post on defining Socialist-Libertarianism I have done a lot of thinking about what I really am, and now more certainly than ever I am sure I have absolutely no idea. I guess you could just call me liberal..?



Recently, the Massachusetts legislature passed a law that required all residents to have health insurance. Free healthcare is one of the defining parts of a socialist state, and is seen in Canada, The Netherlands, Europe in general, ECT. So the question is, Is Massachusetts taking a step towards becoming socialist? I guess I should be excited about this, and in a way it's interesting, but at the same time it’s scary. All residents are required to have health insurance with private companies is not exactly the same as the concept of government healthcare, and may turn out to be a complete failure. They claimed that it would actually lower the cost of health care. In a way it makes sense, but in others it doesn't. It makes sense that if an illness such a strep-throat is treated sooner it will be cheaper to treat than one of the more serious complications when left untreated. They also say it will be cheaper because the uninsured’s medical bills are “paid for with public funds.” Massachusetts isn't the only state to have a program similiar to this, both Maine and Hawaii try to have almost universal health care but they took it a step futher by making it a requirment.

WAIT a second. Wouldn’t these insurance subsidies be paid for with public funds anyway? I’m not saying that this plan isn’t a good thing, but giving subsidies to insurance companies scares me. The plan gives the insurance companies subsidies so they can lower rates for those in lower income levels. If you are going to provide free Health care for everyone, do it right and don’t let the insurance company’s make money off of the program! I have always thought that insurance is a public service that should never be owned by a private company, like utilities and oil… but that’s another story…