I continue to not understand why this Healthcare debate continues to rage on. I thought this was dead weeks ago, the citizens of this great land have already let it be known in very clear terms they want the Federal government to leave our healthcare alone. Hundreds of townhall debates, several elections and poll after poll after poll, all pointing to the same thing, Mr. Obama, you've lost your mandate, nobody wants this and nobody wants to pay for it either. At what point do you give up? When do the elected "representatives" have an interest in actually representing the will of the people.

The republicans have laid out a clear and concise collection of reforms that will actually help keep costs down. At http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/GOPHealthPlan_061709.pdf?tag=contentMain;contentBody. It's much shorter, clearer, concise and understandable then the 2000+ forest killer put forth by the democrats. In a different world it might have a chance in hell of passing.

But this debate rages beyond that. I'd like to make the case that it's insurance in any form that is bringing on the issue in the first place. Insurance insulates it's patients from the reality of the costs of medicine that is provided. There is absolutely no reason for the end user to attempt to curb his or her overuse of doctor's, hospitals, and other facilities. This is what is driving the cost of healthcare up, we've taken out the traditional role of supply and demand that is created by true free enterprise. That's what happens when you perceive someone else is paying the bill, you say damn the price, I am going to use my insurance at all costs since there are none to you. Incidentally, that's also what drives up the cost of insurance, it costs so much that patients are of a mindset that they have to "use everything that I am paying for". When and entire pool of patients takes this mentality, the whole purpose of insurance, to spread the risk, goes poof!

You want proof? Look at the cost of medicine and insurance we've seen over the last several years.It's through the roof, with no sign of letting up. Socialized medicine is not the answer, what is the answer is a return to buyers carefully considering their options. Sellers (doctors) actually having to compete. As a computer programmer I wish I had clients lined up that I could not see for 6 months and the ability to work as much or as little as want on a whim.

Next time I'll tell you about the nightmare my mother in law is having with socialized medicine in Korea.

Stepping back off my soapbox.....