UPDATE: So in the comments it was pointed out that maybe I should give you my own opinion on the issue of healtchare reform. So here it is.

My opinion is that reform needs to happen. The insurance companies have too much power over individuals when it comes to receiving healtchare. The fact that the insurance companies have employees whose sole purpose is to turn down claims based on pre-existing conditions is disgusting. While there is discussion about limiting excessive pay on Wall Street, there is no talk of limiting insurance companies abilities to turn away customers who have paid into the system but get cut from it when the insurance company feels a need to.

Next, the issue of the public option which sounds like medicare for everyone. Right now I don't have healthcare. I don't want to go to the doctor, but I do want to go to the dentist. So what should I do. A public option would allow me to be enrolled in a program which would hopefully allow me to go see a dentist. And maybe down the road go see a doctor if I would like. But how are we going to pay for it? I can tell you right now I can't afford more taxes or fees.

And finally, my last issue is with mandates. This is America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. So how are we free when the government forces us to buy healthcare? In California we have a similar situation with car insurance. It is called the Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law. Healthcare reform should not include a mandate. It should be an individual's choice.

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Over the last month the blog has been experiencing some technical difficulties. Posts kept disappearing. Luckily I was able to repost them. This time though when they came back, the lost the comments.

So as I regroup and try to figure out what direction to take this blog, I would like to have an open thread. The discussion will be centered around what your individual opinion is on the issue of universal healthcare for America.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think about the healthcare issue. It has definetly been the biggest topic of the summer with all of the townhalls across the country. Do you want healthcare for all? Are you against it? Why are you against it? Why are you for it? Who do you think will pay for it? Was President Obama lying when he said illegal immigrants would not be covered? Will the country be able to afford it?

Hey I got a great idea!

Lets carry guns at the next healthcare townhall meeting.

Oh wait, some one already beat me to it.

Yes, the sad truth is that someone has already beat me to it. Not only once though, it has happened a couple times. First it started out with a guy carrying a pistol(first picture below). Then it grew to someone with an assault rifle, an AR-15 (second picture below). Maybe next time it will be a bazooka.

So what were these people thinking?

Well of course it is our right as Americans. The second amendment to the United States Constitution states:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Now I am for gun rights. Do not get me wrong. We as Americans have the right to own and bear arms. If I want to go out and buy a gun then I should be able to. I should also be able to buy as many bullets that I need or desire.

On the other hand though, I am not for carrying guns at presidential events. It is downright absurd. Too many bad things have happened when guns were brought near Presidents. Let me just remind you of the two Kennedy brothers. No matter how much you think it is your right, people must begin to use common sense.

Thousand Oaks demonstrated to us that in a peaceful community, even violence can erupt over political issues. Luckily no one had a gun there or the situation could have turned out a lot worse.

So the healtchare townhalls have taken a turn for the worse. On Wednesday night in Thousand Oaks, a health care rally turned violent or should we say Mike Tyson-ish. According to KTLA:

When someone from the pro-reform side crossed over to the anti-reform side, a fist fight ensued, which resulted in the man's pinky finger getting bitten off. ("Man's Finger Bitten Off At Healthcare Rally."KTLA. 2 Sept. 2009)

I have not attended any rallies but if I do, be sure I will be wearing one of those chain link mesh outsits, the ones divers use to protect from sharks. I really don't need any part of my body being bitten off.

Was anyone actually at the event?

Well the tide is turning and Democrats are now starting to turn on each other. Yesterday I reported on how the Blue Dog Democrats were scared that Obamacare would not be fiscally responsible.  Why? Of course over money and influence from special interest groups. The Wall Street Journal says:

"[Blue Dog Democrats] don't want private health insurers to compete with a federally funded plan, and seek to reduce the share of lower-income Americans who would receive health-care subsidies."

According to Paul Krugman the Blue Dogs might be the straw that breaks the camels back if they don't get on board.

The only thing I like about the whole healthcare plan is the public option. If you do not have insurance through an employer, you can always buy it from the government. Here no one will be turned away because of pre-existing conditions or rejected for care. Insurance companies are scared that this public option will run them out of business when in fact it should only promote business. Competition will force insurance companies to shape up or ship out.

Only time will tell if President Obama gets healthcare reform passed. One thing is for sure, the Democrats are starting to crumble. As they turn on each other, power will soon fade.   

Early last week, the Republican Senator from South Carolina had some sharp words for his colleagues and President Obama. Senator Jim Demint said "If we're able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him." So if the Republicans could stop Obamacare from moving forward, they could stop the President, and in fact it would be the beginning of the end for him.

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Like everyone else, I would like to see healthcare for all. The system is so flawed though it could create more mess than needed. The pace at which Congress is trying to pass healtcare is just too fast.  President Obama wants his healthcare reform bill passed before the end of the year because he knows that once the new year rolls around, most of his luster will be gone. Anything as huge as healthcare reform needs to be done while people are still starry-eyed with the President.

It is not only Republicans who are shying away from universal healthcare. There were grumblings from conservative Democrats who say too much money would be spent.

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Concerning large amounts of momney, you can not just shore up $26 billion. Like the last California budget, I am just waiting for this new one to fall apart at the seams. It is really a shame too because so many people are losing services and funding for any number of particular projects. As California will continue to brace for impact in these shaky economic times, lets see if the "leaders" in Sacramento can begin plotting a new course for our state.

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Food for Thought: If we spent $3 trillion in Iraq over 6 years, is it worth spending $1 trillion on healthcare over 10 years?

Of course, healthcare for all is a great idea. A great idea in fact. Every single American will be covered and if they ever get sick, then they will be able to visit with a doctor or hospital and be taken care of. They won't be turned away because they do not have insurance.

Yes, a great idea. My problem with universal healthcare though is that it is mandated. If someone does not want healthcare, too bad. If someone can't afford healthcare too bad. You must have healthcare and if you can't afford it, well then the government will just penalize you for not having it.

It would be similar to needing auto insurance in the state of California. First we must have auto insurance, and then we must have health coverage. We already can't talk on our cellphones or text while driving. What next?

Back to ideas, healthcare for all is a great idea. But will it work? Government will grow and so will the beauracracy. I am one who believes in helping the people of our country and I am also one who believes "that government is best which governs least." Universal healthcare will not just be a small growth in government, it will be enormous. The paperwork that comes with all great American institutions will be through the roof. Just imagine the DMV multiplied by 100.

To pay for the system, Congress has proposed that the wealthy pay more to cover the healthcare system. That means the rich people will pay for it. Should they?