Some Thoughts on Health Care Reform

Health Care Reform is why we need to be careful who we elect, watch them closely, and keep in touch with them. When you're in the voting booth, think FREEDOM, LIBERTY and PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!

We could simply defund this legislation at the federal level. And states could simply ignore the unfunded mandates--it will keep all the regulatory agencies in such a mess tripping over each other that the whole thing will collapse of its own weight and good riddance. Maybe it's time for some civil disobedience. If the entire country disobeys the law, it will just die.

Has it occurred to anyone that insurance IS the problem and getting the government involved has just made it worse? Having health insurance is no guarantee of health. And, just accept it: we die. Tragedy happens. No one gets out alive. There are much worse things than death, like living under a tyrannical government with no liberty and freedom of choice. Like being subjugated and manipulated into serving the government instead of our fellowmen.

Solutions?

1) If we must have insurance, then deregulate it. Let competition in the marketplace regulate it, across state lines and without it having to come through an employer. And make it just catastrophic coverage (for when a person gets cancer or has a serious accident), it shouldn't cover day-to-day expenses and routine visits, unless they are clearly preventative.

1a) Otherwise, reduce and simplify taxes so that people have more money in their pockets to save for health care and retirement. Stop taxing production and tax spending instead. Stop the government from meddling in and manipulating the economy and redistributing wealth. Stop promoting materialism that encourages people to live beyond their means. Phase out welfare, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Make sure people know that it is THEIR responsibility to take care of themselves and their families.

2) Tort reform. Limit frivolous lawsuits, make the loser pay the court and attorney's fees. Limit payouts for malpractice except in cases of severe negligence.

3) Implement electronic medical records and information sharing, repeal HIPAA.

Here are some more good ideas:
http://fixhealthcarepolicy.com/research/even-more-conservative-health-reform-ideas/

Latter-day Saints and the "Christian" Label

As a person who is a member of the "Mormon" or LDS Church, I am frequently frustrated at those who say that we are not Christians. The simple explanation is that the very name of Jesus Christ is in the name of our church, and by the most basic dictionary definition, we are certainly Christian.

However, the definition of "Christian" is subject to almost as many interpretations as there are so-called "Christian" religions, and each one defines it according to their doctrines, except for the Latter-Day Saints. We accept the simple dictionary definition as accurate and adequate. Any other definition is simply unfair, and cannot be justly imposed upon any other religion or person. Furthermore, we adhere to Jesus' advice in the maxim, "By their fruits ye shall know them." Any honest, objective observer of LDS people, doctrine, and actions will eventually conclude that we are Christians, meaning that we follow Jesus Christ and His teachings

But, many within the Church continue to assert some kind of equivalence to mainstream, evangelical Christianity. I think that is a losing battle that may not be the most wise course of action. There are at least two reasons for this.

First, mainstream, evangelical Christianity is not the equivalent of LDS doctrine. The honest student of LDS doctrine will realize that it is vastly different and better (more fair, just, logical, and ennobling) than evangelical Christianity. To make ourselves equivalent to such a definition of Christianity is to minimize the glorious simplicity and beautiful fairness of LDS theology.

Second, and the impetus of this article, is the attitude of Islam toward Christianity. Although some would try to convince us that Islam is a "religion of peace", the honest and objective scholar will learn that Islam has a very dim view of Christianity and Christians. Muslims are instructed to go to war to spread Islam, and to kill any nonbelievers (infidels) who do not convert to Islam. (Islam has soldiers, not missionaries.) Although, under some circumstances (particularly if it is not of immediate benefit to kill the infidels), the infidels may be allowed to live, and be subjects of the Muslims, and pay a tax instead. If we want to build and maintain good relations with Islam and Muslims, then it would be foolish to ally ourselves with the same "Christians" who fought the Crusades and who Muslims frequently revile.

Therefore, it would be to our benefit to distance ourselves from mainstream, evangelical Christianity and to promote ourselves and our religion as something different; believing in Christ, but having, teaching and living so much more.