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So I have always held the idea that the government should run (or have a great monopoly on) the things we need: education, health care, utilities, etc.
The main reason for this belief is that the government can sustain decades or more of slowly breaking even on those expensive investments. For example, the government can, and should IMO, build a giant solar field in desert valley or something that will provide a bunch of power to our nation (creates jobs, clean energy, energy independence, etc.). It would be easier for them to slowly recoup their investment as compared to an independent company that is looking to pay back loans and etc.
Then there is the point of all the hassle "we" have to go through: up-charging, loopholes, availability contracts, etc. We don't take that insurance here, finally graduate with a degree and now you have to pay it back the next fifteen years while hoping you can actually get a job that is in that field, etc.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the idea of the free market, but with these near essential things of life we are getting charged extra just because we have no choice... either die by disease or live with crushing debt.
And I am not saying that I want it easy; I just think that life should have its hard times that do not last for years. We bear the burden for extended periods of time so that businesses (that should be working for us as the customers) can make more money. I feel like everything in life today, government included unfortunately, is about the organizations, not the people. Either the business makes all the money or the ten guys that own it, and then the employees make nothing and customers get less for more.
It is our fault I know, letting it get this bad, but I am just trying to see if my perfect world would be so perfect. (Though I guess capitalism and government and everything else would work perfectly without imperfect people in the system messing it up.) ... Does that answer my own question? "We" have less faith in the systems "we" set up because "we" get in them and start f*#%ing stuff up?
*Not really sure what I am looking for here...
The main reason for this belief is that the government can sustain decades or more of slowly breaking even on those expensive investments. For example, the government can, and should IMO, build a giant solar field in desert valley or something that will provide a bunch of power to our nation (creates jobs, clean energy, energy independence, etc.). It would be easier for them to slowly recoup their investment as compared to an independent company that is looking to pay back loans and etc.
Then there is the point of all the hassle "we" have to go through: up-charging, loopholes, availability contracts, etc. We don't take that insurance here, finally graduate with a degree and now you have to pay it back the next fifteen years while hoping you can actually get a job that is in that field, etc.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the idea of the free market, but with these near essential things of life we are getting charged extra just because we have no choice... either die by disease or live with crushing debt.
And I am not saying that I want it easy; I just think that life should have its hard times that do not last for years. We bear the burden for extended periods of time so that businesses (that should be working for us as the customers) can make more money. I feel like everything in life today, government included unfortunately, is about the organizations, not the people. Either the business makes all the money or the ten guys that own it, and then the employees make nothing and customers get less for more.
It is our fault I know, letting it get this bad, but I am just trying to see if my perfect world would be so perfect. (Though I guess capitalism and government and everything else would work perfectly without imperfect people in the system messing it up.) ... Does that answer my own question? "We" have less faith in the systems "we" set up because "we" get in them and start f*#%ing stuff up?
*Not really sure what I am looking for here...
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
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Cpl Michael Strickler, as far a government run health care goes just look at the mess that the VA is in. I go to the VA regularly and it is not fun. I just got assigned a new doctor and without even seeing me he cut down one of my meds when I needed it refilled. When ever I went in to see my old doctor she would blame ALL of my medical problems on smoking even though I was injured while on a patrol. Now education: if the federal government ran it (college) then you would have to take an aptitude test and study what they tell you and NOT what you are interested in. The professors will be told what to teach you and the government will decide whether or not you go on to a higher degree. Trust me when I say that we are better off whit a smaller government. The federal government was set up to defend the country, regulate foreign trade, and settle disputes between states. The states were meant to run everything else.
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Cpl Michael Strickler
SFC Boots Attaway, bamf name fyi... but I blame those va issues on incompetency. That is everywhere; people are stupid. I got some work done with a little place near my town and the procedure/doctor went ok; but i got drug through a ridiculous financial struggle. I called them and the first thing I asked was if they took both Cigna and CareCredit (that is how I planned to pay) and they said yes... i.e. they knew exactly how I would pay from minute 1. Went to my first appointment and they would not see me unless I put down like 500 bucks (they said it would sit in an account and as soon as my payments established the $ would be refunded...) long story short, no new clothes for my growing daughter...
and I am ok with the states running education and all (i consider that government as well). Have you seen this (all you really need to look at is the graph by the way)?: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/04/college-textbook-prices-increase_n_2409153.html
That is not right and it is not governments fault. I am not saying that washington should have all the power, or that states should have all the power, I am saying that if they were bigger players in the game it would be a much better regulator in the industries. Let me know if you understand what I am "going" for and your thoughts on it.
and I am ok with the states running education and all (i consider that government as well). Have you seen this (all you really need to look at is the graph by the way)?: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/04/college-textbook-prices-increase_n_2409153.html
That is not right and it is not governments fault. I am not saying that washington should have all the power, or that states should have all the power, I am saying that if they were bigger players in the game it would be a much better regulator in the industries. Let me know if you understand what I am "going" for and your thoughts on it.
CHART: The INSANE Growth In College Textbook Prices
College textbook prices have increased faster than tuition, health care costs and housing prices, all of which have risen faster than inflation. College textbook prices are 812 percent higher than
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