Demand Health Care for All

We are in the midst of a Republican vs Democrat battle in Congress the outcome of which will determine how much it will cost and who will get health care. Virtually all the Republicans voice total opposition to a plan that will include a non-profit insurance alternative to that offered by private, profit maximizing insurance companies. Nearly all Congressional Democrats favor a non-profit option because lower operating costs and the elimination of profit will reduce the costs. The Republicans infer that this is Socialism if not Communism and will lead our country to self destruction and the decay of our Constitution.

One might believe that the respective positions of the Congressional Democrats and Republican are based some factual support. The Democrats point out that more than 47 million Americans cannot afford health care and that is reason for change and the public, non-profit, plan. The Congressional Republicans respond by saying in effect, "so what". Why should any of them care with such great pay and benefits? At least the Democrats are trying to remedy a mighty problem while the Republicans oppose every attempt to provide health care for all citizens. The Democrats in Congress deserve our praise because they are working for all Americans. The Republican seem to care only about those who can afford to pay for their health care. This distinction is clear.

The members of Congress all are paid salaries of at least $174,000 annually or about five times the median pay of a typical American family income. They also have health care insurance that include taxpayer subsidies that pays for about 75%. This is equivalent to another tax payer benefit that averages about $8,000 annually depending upon their family size. Collectively the 535 members of the House and Senate receive over $97 million dollars in pay per year (plus an annual cost of living adjustment) for their services to we the people. This is merely the direct labor cost and does not include the operating costs that exceed several billions of dollars annually (the actual amount is well disguised in the overall budget appropriations and is not easily separable). Are we getting our money's worth?

If you have watched c-Span TV you are aware that most of the time the Senate or House is in session passes as "quorum calls" and nothing but chatter and speeches to otherwise empty or near-empty chambers occur. One might suppose that serious work is taking place elsewhere, and if so why refer to this as an operating session when at least 50% of the time is wasted. Assuming that the combined designated operation of Congress equals 1000 hours per year and that half is spent doing nothing we are paying our Congress members at least 30 million dollars annually for doing nothing. Perhaps the other 1000 hours per year is spent constructively, but one is inclined to question even that possibility. Are we getting our money's worth?

The health care debate that is more like a war between Republicans and Democrats is a noteworthy example of how our tax dollars are wasted by vacuous and vindictive speeches and meaningless diversions and Republican scare tactics to delay or prevent any health care reform. If this is the norm, as it appears to be, why do we pay a Congress that has nearly 40% of the members refusing to legislate. They want to obfuscate, delay, and prevent any meaningful health care reform. If they refuse to work for the American people they should not be paid. Give them a permanent vacation by voting them out of office the next time we have an opportunity. Tell them that we are not getting our money's worth! Meanwhile demand health care for all of our citizens.