Recently I read an article that suggested that the Veto of the SCHIP bill by President Bush was a casualty Iraq War and of the 2008 Presidential Election. The idea being that if it wasn't that the administration was so focused on the War that there would be more undivided attention given to domestic and social concerns. Putting aside the fact that unless we win the war on terror our entire society will be casualty Iraq war and that our social concerns regarding medical coverage will be pushed way down the list of importance, I have to disagree with this idea.
Currently, because of the 2008 Presidential election, there are a plethora of ideas running amok about who has the best plan to give Americans the utopia they believe they deserve. I say nothing of the fact that American's have yet to figure out that there is no utopia on this earth. There is no way to make it "fair" for everyone, no matter how many laws or nifty ideas you bring to the table. Each time a bill becomes law, it gives something to one person and removes a freedom from another. How can that possibly achieve "fair" or utopia. Listen to what is said of the campaign trail of the 2008 presidential election to see what I mean.
We are bombarded with certain key phrases that have become the part of the national mantra. One such phrase is that the "Rich and wealthy of this country need to pay their 'fair' share." Never mind that no one will give a subject number to the definition of rich. Many of us who consider ourselves well entranced within the middle class have been classified as rich by definitions inside some of these niffty ideas mostly brought to the table by Democrats who are influenced by the progressive movement of ideas. However, here is a little know fact that is little known as a result of our no longer "free" press. This is no casualty Iraq war either.
The top 1% of Americans that earned the most in this country were given more than 39% of the entire national tax burden under the Bush Administration. The next bracket of the top 5% of Americans were responsible for almost 60% and the wealthiest 10% of Americans paid nearly 70% of the tax burden. That was up from the Clinton Administration. If we think current gas prices are bad, how do these folks feel? Really, why do we have to care? The bottom half of American's paid only 3% of the total tax bill. This is as low as it has ever, ever been. If we don't have to pay it why should we worry! Of course the fact that these people employ the rest of us and if their taxes go up, we may loose our income can't be our problem. After all our government will take care of us...Right? Yet our government can't help the current gas prices!
As we approach the 2008 Presidential Election, keep a few things in mind. When the group that doesn't have the power wants it, the only way to get attention is the create a crisis. Our health care is just such an example. Other countries want to come here to get medical care. Why is that? The SCHIP would have placed millions of children on the government benefits package even though most of them are covered by insurance elsewhere. Really, would you pay your own way if the government said "no, don't worry, I'll pay it." Forget the fact that the money is coming from your neighbors. Should I let my neighbors fill my tank at the current gas prices?
What was supposed to happen with SCHIP was that it was supposed to fill the gaps for those children who for whatever reason were not covered at a particular time. It of course it has morphed into insurance for all as if it were "and justice for all". President Bush should have vetoed the bill and he should have vetoed many others that he didn't which has been an expense to the working family tax payer and the small business owner alike. We are a nation of choices. This is an area that we should use or power of choices and make our own decisions. If not what we have already lost will not be the only casualty Iraq war has had. Nor will the 2008 Presidential Election help us or the current gas prices
