Our Government requires all people to be educated, at least to

[Bluerthanblue]

a certain level, and provides through public funding to make sure that this happens. Why? because it is for the good of our country to have an educated populace, correct?

My oldest son, a free-thinking wise and wonderful young man,(admitted bias) ;) posed this question to me earlier today.
{His only "formal" schooling was with "Head-Start" (he home schooled through H.S. earned his CDL on his own, was hired by the Highway Dept at age 19 and is now their head mechanic as well, 8yrs on.}

Basicly he said, (better than I'll be able to) when people complain about the government requiring everyone to have health care.. why don't they complain about the government requiring formal education? If it's for the good of the nation to be sure that its citizens are educated well- even if some could succeed in life without the 'formal' school, as some manage to avoid needing much in the way of health care, where is the big difference? Isn't it in the best interest of our nation that it's citizens be healthy??

We as a society recognize the inherent value of educating all of our citizens to at least a minimal level and understand the it requires a financial cost - why should health care be any different?

He suggested that those who balk at government mandated-more importantly govt. FUNDED health care should be challenged about their use and acceptance of our educational system. (which our family believes is essential and supports)

Has this been discussed before? I thought it was a great observation.


(edited typo)

[Laelth]

1. I wouldn't object to national, state-funded health care that's free for all.

I definitely object to an order from the Federal government to purchace a private product from a company that profits by denying me health care.

-Laelth

[Bluerthanblue]

6. I'm sorry I didn't explain this better- the point wasn't as much

about being mandated to have insurance, as it was the recognition that providing for everyone benefits everyone. We accept that in terms of education, we accept that in terms of national defense-

The federal government REQUIRES individuals to be educated. If people choose to opt out of the public educational system, they have to demonstrate that they are pursuing another path to achieve the same ends. Most people understand and accept the fact that when we invest in making sure that everyone has at least a basic education, our nation and our society benefits and has a chance to prosper.

That same truth applies to the health of our citizens. There should be a universal health care system which ensures that all citizens have basic care. For the good of ALL and as an investment in the future of our nation. Just as we accept and understand the need for everyone to know how to "read, write, and cipher".

[Laelth]

7. I fully agree. n/t

-Laelth

[Bluerthanblue]

8. thanks, I'm sorry I botched up the message-

you helped me to clarify it.

:hi:

[Hello_Kitty]

2. Let me guess, he has a generous health insurance plan through work.

With low co-pays and out-of-pockets. He probably thinks that's the same deal everyone will get if we just make them get insurance.

Anyway, he's gotten his wish. People are going to be forced to buy private health insurance when HCR kicks in. And health care costs for everyone will magically decrease and there will be happiness across the land.

[Bluerthanblue]

4. wow- way to miss the POINT-

or perhaps I'm as bad at communicating as I think I am.

His point is that there SHOULD be government mandated AND funded health care- just as there is government funded and mandated education.

That the need- WISDOM - of recognizing that when we collectively invest in the educational welfare of our population, we are investing in the nation and it's survival and success. That SAME investment should extend to basic Health Care!

Please don't make assumptions about other people's lives. I offered the information about my son to show that he is someone that could easily be the kind of person you seem to want to paint him to be- uninformed, self-oriented- and arrogant. He works his ass off, has been paid a fraction of what he could get in the private sector, lives quite frugally and gives freely to others. The health care bill as passed will very definitely hurt him financially, but he supported it as a "start" to getting something in place that can be improved upon.

I'm sorry I haven't been able articulate this better.

I think there are many people who understand the value of having universal public education. Many of those same people are blind to how that should also apply to basic universal health care-

[LiberalLoner]

3. The only thing is, the right-wingers also want to abolish public education. They not only

want only the wealthiest 2% to have health care - they want only the children of the wealthiest 2% to learn to read and write.

[Bluerthanblue]

5. some do, but many don't. There are many republicans who

would really be upset if there was no public option for education.
They call for "vouchers"- which would still be publicly funded. (i'm NOT endorsing this- just sharing what i've observed)

:hi: