There may be hope

With the Senate taking a test vote to kill our medical industry last night I decided to see what the opposition to my non-representing representative had to say about it. When I visited his site on facebook, I noticed that there was a link to an article published in the WestLinn Tiddings dated November 12, 2009. In this article, both Kurt Schrader (D) and Scott Bruun (R) were interviewed. Mr. Schrader espoused his flawed ideology about how socialized medicine would keep costs down and wouldn't allow the health insurance companies deny anyone because of preexisting conditions. The two points are contradictory unless the ultimate goal is to push all private health insurance companies out of business.

Mr. Bruun's view of the House's version of socialized medicine is vastly different and would be a more hands off approach to the issue. Mr. Bruun used some language that is a little disturbing like "bi-partisan" and "tax incentives." Some language was right on such as "reducing the Medicare/Medicaid cost shift onto private insurance" and "allowing for purchase of private insurance across state lines" and "fixing our tort system to reduce costs related to defensive medicine."

I know that Medicare and Medicaid are black holes when it comes to government spending. The federal government has to cut Medicaid completely. First they do not have the authority to run or manage this monstrosity. Medicaid, if it were to remain, falls under the ninth and tenth amendments and therefore fall under the individual States to run if they decide to have this program. Medicare is a completely different situation altogether. Those that are receiving Medicare benefits were promised that this program would be there when they reached a certain age. For those who are receiving those benefits or are about to receive the benefits, they must keep them. The federal government needs to impose a cutoff. Those who were born before the cutoff have to rely on either themselves or their State to pay for their medical costs when they get to retirement age. Those who were born after the cutoff have the option to receive Medicare when they reach the age where they are able to receive them or they may choose to opt out.

As for Scott's comment about buying health insurance across state lines, this is the first politician from the left coast, that I have heard or read, who has uttered those words. For that I must applaud him. I can't say who I will support for Oregon's fifth congressional district. I can say with certainty that it will not be Mr. Schrader, he is too liberal. As for Scott Bruun, only time will tell if I put my hat in the ring for him or someone else that is running for that seat. As of now, I can say that Mr. Bruun's stock with me is rising.