A downhill spiral
So, Capitol Hill is once again planning to play with health insurance coverage programs - specifically Medicaid and Medicare. Are we surprised? No. With the American deficit rapidly climbing, something has to be done. The question is who is going to win...the legislative branch with their "look at the whole picture" cuts or the executive branch whose pet projects might be put on the chopping block? I guess I'll have to make some popcorn and watch the show.
However, despite my feeling of having no influence in these decisions, there are several aspects of the legislative plans that disturb me, such as Medicaid - created for those who are unable to afford insurance - and is now at risk of having participants having to pay premiums and co-payments when visiting the doctor. This doesn't sound quite right to me. Low co-payments? Maybe. Premiums? No way.
Arctic drilling space would be "rented" to companies interested in collecting fossil fuels. Rented? Will they held accountable for the damage done to the environment? Will there be clauses in their contract to force minimal alteration of the land?
Agricultural subsidies would be reduced, student loan companies would have reduced profits (will that impact their ability to offer future aid?), insurance premiums for company-provided insurance would be increased, monies for child support enforcement processes and food stamps would be reduced, yadda yadda yadda.
I can't believe there isn't a better solution out there that wouldn't target the weakest population brackets in America.
3 comments:
I haven't read about the Arctic being rented but I assume you mean the Antarctic because the Arctic has no land to rent and it composed of a constantly shifting ice pack. Canada, Greenland and Russia, etc., own what land is within the Artic circle.
And if it was the Antarctic, I may be wrong but I thought that there was an international agreement that it would remain international territory which would mean nobody has the right to rent it. Even if they could, I think the logistics would be horrendous to figure out.
Where are you reading about this? I would like to read up on this.
"Arctic" as in reference to the linked article. It's Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Ah... I didn't see the link. As you know, I am with you when it comes to ANWR. I think drilling it is extremely short sighted and not very fiscally responsible.
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