The latest elections are nearly over. So the campaigns can begin for next year. The purpose of politics is to get re-elected. I am becoming more convinced that we need term limits in any elected office. Yes, I said any. I am thinking a limit on the term of one. If someone in office has no chance of being elected again at least for one term they can actually think about doing things right instead of doing what will raise the most money or assure the most votes.
I have looked at the process that is called health care reform and realized that there will be no reform. Whatever will come out of Congress will not make the crisis any better. Those who cannot afford to pay for care will still not be able to do it. Those who do have resources either in the form of cash or insurance will find it tougher than ever to get and pay for care.
How about something as simple as a National sales tax of 1% on every purchase which can be distributed to every Social Security number so that the individual recipient can apply those funds toward health care. Either in the form of cash payment or insurance premium as they choose. For myself I would keep the Medicare and the supplement I have and apply the bonus money toward the part my insurance doesn't cover. There are millions in that situation with me. A lot of them find the excess debt to be crippling. It just might stop some of the thousands or bankruptcies for medical debt. Instead of losing the money that way the health industry would at least get some or all of the excess. They could easily afford to write off some for those who need it.
The bill that will come out of Congress will further entrench the status quo. It always happens that way.
One last thought on elections. Ban all group and corporate donations to candidates. Make it illegal for any person to donate more than $1000 to any candidate. At the very least it would ease the commercials during the election season. It might even encourage the would-be office holders to meet the people face to face. Just a hope but then I have always been a dreamer.
