I'll take a stab at this, even though I'm not a conservative. I might also be swayed by a decent argument.

I think that those that can pay for their own health costs should do so, and then provide a safety net for those who cannot. What that safety net entails opens up another can of worms.

Also, to play a bit of devil's advocate: should those that abuse their body on their own behalf (say, chain smokers or other drug abuse) still be entitled to health care at the gov'ts expense?

As for the smokers/drinkers part. The government says it is legal to do and they profit a load off of it.

As for the smokers/drinkers part. The government says it is legal to do and they profit a load off of it.

Also, to play a bit of devil's advocate: should those that abuse their body on their own behalf (say, chain smokers or other drug abuse) still be entitled to health care at the gov'ts expense?

The government is not supposed to profit at all as it isn't a corporation I'd wager you're more or less talking about government officials and I'd agree withyou there. Smoking, drinking, huffing, sniffing, shooting up, is a personal decision. We should not be taking money away from people to pay for other people's stupid decisions.

However, if we do end the ridiculous war on drugs finally, I'd prefer to see that money go into a government sponsored treatment program for addicts which I feel would do a good job at actually combatting drug use in America. Actually treating the addiction problem and educating people how to get rid of said problem so they can avoid such cronic health problems I believe would be very effective whereas the war on drugs isn't stopping anyone from becoming an addict.

We should not be taking money away from people to pay for other people's stupid decisions.

A good question.

One of the reason's that I am totally for a government assisted health care program is because it would then create an incentive for the government (and thereby taxpayers) interested in preventing health problems. Right now environmental issues take a back seat to almost everything else, but if we as tax payers were paying for health care, I'm sure we'd all be interested in keeping those costs down. Well air pollution contributes to asthma problems in young Americans in major cities all across the country. Asthma often requires STAT medicines and maintenance drugs as well, can be very costly. If we could equate a reduction in emissions with a decrease in asmtha treatment costs it would start to make economic sense to become involved in environmental issues.

It would also be great for those Sin health care problems like smoking and drinking and drug abuse. Everyone would have a stake in reducing smoking and drug abuse. It would begin to make economic sense to treat these addictions before someone needs a kidney transplant etc.

Also, to play a bit of devil's advocate: should those that abuse their body on their own behalf (say, chain smokers or other drug abuse) still be entitled to health care at the gov'ts expense?

Also, I think the benefits of single payer universal healthcare outweight any libertarian principles that would be broken.

One of the reason's that I am totally for a government assisted health care program is because it would then create an incentive for the government (and thereby taxpayers) interested in preventing health problems. - gogol

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Insurance just isn't that expensive...if you shop around for it. I have a couple healthplans

Basically, what should the government provide for the citizen, and what does the citizen need to provide for themselves?

Clause 1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

Clause 2: To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

Clause 3: To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

Clause 4: To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

Clause 5: To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

Clause 6: To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

Clause 7: To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

Clause 8: To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

Clause 9: To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

Clause 10: To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

Clause 11: To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

Clause 12: To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

Clause 13: To provide and maintain a Navy;

Clause 14: To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

Clause 15: To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

Clause 16: To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

Clause 17: To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, byCession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And

Clause 18: To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

. I pay less than thirty a month for comprehensive dental and health coverage.

I have a couple healthplans, I'm covered on my parents plan when I'm taking a full course load at school, I have some insurance through the school, and then I have full healthcare and dental through an HMO. I pay a ridiculously low bill. There is absolutely no fucking excuse for these people to not have healthcare.

One of the reason's that I am totally for a government assisted health care program is because it would then create an incentive for the government (and thereby taxpayers) interested in preventing health problems. - gogol

Also, don't you think people would be more interested in preventing their own health problems if they were simply responsible for their own healthcare policies? Come on...

I will say that I want to work where you do
Goddamn that's cheap.

Healthcare should totally be a responsibility on the people. Insurance just isn't that expensive...if you shop around for it. I have a couple healthplans, I'm covered on my parents plan when I'm taking a full course load at school, I have some insurance through the school, and then I have full healthcare and dental through an HMO. I pay a ridiculously low bill. There is absolutely no fucking excuse for these people to not have healthcare. I mean, when I look at my monthly bills (because my monthly income varies greatly), I prioritize things. That's what responsible individuals do. At the top of that list is my healthcare. The first thing that is paid for is my health insurance. Second is the rent, third are the car payments and insurance, then food, then whatever is left over is fun money. Most American's have backwards priorities. Cable TeeVee, beer, and smokes take priority over their healthcare. There is absolutely no excuse for people to not pay for some sort of HMO. It's ridiculous. I pay less than thirty a month for comprehensive dental and health coverage.

reread his post and you'll see why that is.

I also didn't address the issue of what type of coverage you can get. Perhaps he has a plan where his monthly costs are really low but if he's in the hospital or needs meds he has to pay a huge deductible. Bottom line is when you're still a dependent you're not really getting an accurate picture of health care costs. Also it seems as if this young man doesn't have kids or any health issues, otherwise he wouldn't be so cavalier about his assessment that "there's no reason you shouldn't have health care."

again, lol