This is a super fun subject right now, so I decided to throw in my two cents.
Let me begin by saying that right now the discourse over health care is disgusting. Extremists on one side tell you that you are going to die, and the other says you will be broke. Fear mongering is, at best, unhealthy and morally repugnant.
Now then, what is the debate? Our government is currently discussing health care reform. One of the key components to this reform would be to add a public option to cover the uninsured. Do the uninsured deserve to be covered at all? I hope that if someone were to die because a hospital refused to treat them, on the grounds of it not being in their financial interest to do so, most people would be upset. I think most of us, believe that everyone should have access to some basic health care, and not be left to die if they cannot afford it.
So if we want everyone covered, is the public option a good idea? Rather than pretend to know the future, I will be looking at two examples of a public and private option in our current lives.
1. Police
Security is important. We need a system to enforce laws in order to have a productive and fair society. The police provide some basic protection for everyone, no matter our financial situation. The police are an example of a socialist program. It is a purely government program, and is paid by taxes. In addition to policemen there is a vibrant private sector; security guards, alarms, bodyguards etc. This private option provides additional coverage for those who need it.
2. Education
All children in the United States have access to the public school system. In addition to this Socialist, government-run institution there are private options. Tutors, private schools, additional materials, etc are available to those who are willing to pay an extra cost.
We tend to think that since we have free markets, it means we are a capitalist society. This is mostly true, however we have takes that pay for several socialist, government entities. It is true that in a free market society competition tends to make everyone better off. In reality, this is not always the case. A good example of a time when government intervention can stimulate the economy is a monopoly.
Whether or not you believe that the Education system or Justice system are perfect, I think you have to admit that they do a pretty damn good job. And even if they aren't perfect at least everyone is covered.
