Leading scientists warned us that computers were reaching the point of thinking for themselves and could get out of control if something wasn't done. The situation was serious enough for the White House to set up a committee to study the issue. The committee took their findings to Congress to let the law makers debate a solution and Congress was in a heated dead lock for several weeks before a religious leader proposed that before anything could be done, the Congress had to determine when a computer became a valid computer.
There was an unusual hush over the floor before a strong voice shouted, "A computer becomes a computer when it is turned on."
"You fool," retorted a Representative from the South. "A computer becomes a computer when the creator makes the blue print." A bitter war has been waged along party lines behind the scene ever since.
Meanwhile the computers became smarter and smarter and took over the Democratic Party, gaining control of both Houses of Congress in the following election. Unfortunately the Congress has still failed to determine when a computer becomes a valid computer.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
THE STRAIGHT FACTS ON UNIVERSAL HEALTH INSURANCE
There is no way that in a capitalistic society such as ours, will a politician, up to their belt buckle in debt to the well to do, pass any kind of universal healh insurance program that will give the homeless the same benefits that will equal the benefits of the well to do.
First of all the cost would be beyond all reason, and second, the medical profession would be called upon to do more than they would possibly be able to do.
In a Capitalistic Republic, just what are members of the Republic entitled to? Perhaps the children are enitled to food, shelter, clothing ,education, and health care until they are ready to make their own way in the society; but adults are expected to provide for themselves, AND make a contribution to the society as well. Normally the parents have the responsibility to provide for their children, but under current law, all children are "a ward of the State," and consequently the State (the Government) may be responsible to provide these BASIC needs to all children. But even for children, in a Capitalistic Republic, no politician, up to their belt buckle in debt to the well to do, will pass any kind of universal program for children benefits that will give the children from poor families benefits equal to those given to the children of the well to do. If this were a Christian Democracy as so many fooishly dream that it is, universal treatment for children might be a possibility; but it isn't and it won't be.
Taking a realistic approach, even in a Capitalistic Republic, there is a moral responsibility for the Society to provide the basic needs of its members, and health care is a basic need. Perhaps the Government is responsible for a BASIC health care insurance program to the extent that it can reasonably afford. Any care beyond basic, under insurance or not, might be the personal responsibility of the members of the society. The problem may come in determining a BASIC health insurance program. Of course, there is also the problem of funding the program.
First of all the cost would be beyond all reason, and second, the medical profession would be called upon to do more than they would possibly be able to do.
In a Capitalistic Republic, just what are members of the Republic entitled to? Perhaps the children are enitled to food, shelter, clothing ,education, and health care until they are ready to make their own way in the society; but adults are expected to provide for themselves, AND make a contribution to the society as well. Normally the parents have the responsibility to provide for their children, but under current law, all children are "a ward of the State," and consequently the State (the Government) may be responsible to provide these BASIC needs to all children. But even for children, in a Capitalistic Republic, no politician, up to their belt buckle in debt to the well to do, will pass any kind of universal program for children benefits that will give the children from poor families benefits equal to those given to the children of the well to do. If this were a Christian Democracy as so many fooishly dream that it is, universal treatment for children might be a possibility; but it isn't and it won't be.
Taking a realistic approach, even in a Capitalistic Republic, there is a moral responsibility for the Society to provide the basic needs of its members, and health care is a basic need. Perhaps the Government is responsible for a BASIC health care insurance program to the extent that it can reasonably afford. Any care beyond basic, under insurance or not, might be the personal responsibility of the members of the society. The problem may come in determining a BASIC health insurance program. Of course, there is also the problem of funding the program.
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