Republicanism: Constitutions are Cool
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In part one of our discussion of Republican government (First Principles: Coconuts) we created our own little republic on a tropical island and ratified our constitution. Our constitutional republic is the most humane form of government in the history of the world, because we “the people” specifically empowered the government to do certain things and forbade it to interfere in other things. We called that our Bill of Rights.
For most of human history life was horrid and people suffered under tyrannical governments. They lived their entire lives to enrich the sovereign(s) or ruling classes of that particular nation state. Even earlier republics like Athens and Rome had constitutions, but they all enabled ruling classes that looted the population. The Kings were the sovereigns and the entire population worked to protect and enrich the King. Not until the Magna Carta in 1215 was the power of a King restricted allowing a ruling noble class to emerge. The populations of those European states were looted to enrich the ruling class and the sovereigns. It wasn't until 1777 when the little country, The Republic of Virginia, ratified its constitution in a legislative body selected by the people.
Constitutions are your protection from the natural tendency for men to concentrate power to themselves. Our Founding Fathers knew that some men were inherently bad and Constitutions protect the people from bad men in power. This power enables men to loot the population and enrich themselves. In order to loot the people the Constitution must be violated, even though it was ratified by the people being looted. The most common way to loot the people is to use the force of government to re distribute wealth to special interests and cronies. Let's consider a few examples.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created after 9/11 in November 2001. It has over 58,000 employees and costs $8.1 billion per year. It is a wholly unconstitutional creation of government designed to bailout the airlines. This is a direct subsidy to the airlines. The airlines have the greatest incentive to ensure their airliners get from point A to point B safely. No other organization has more motivation to set up security to ensure that passengers are safe. The TSA is an $8.1 billion yearly subsidy, because without the TSA one would assume that the airlines would find a way to deliver these services cheaper and more efficiently. Otherwise people would travel by differing means. Government intrusion protects the airlines from lawsuits should a terrorist successfully get on board, but it prevents better security procedures from being invented. The same game is played with the big pharmaceutical companies.
As much as I may scour the United States Constitution I can't find any reference to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). There is absolutely no authority in the Constitution for the federal government to regulate pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The FDA employs 9,200 people and costs $4.36 billion per year doing all the things the pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers should be doing. These companies have the greatest incentive to ensure their pharmaceuticals and devices are safe and effective. The FDA subsidy ($4.36 billion per year) of these industries provides no incentive to find the least costly drugs and devices. The FDA subsidies cause the cost of drugs and devices to rise, requiring the government to then introduce price controls or Medicare Part D type of legislation. Government intrusion also protects the companies from lawsuits should another thalidomide tragedy occur. But again the intrusion prevents safer development procedures from being invented. Yet this is nothing as compared to the subsidies with Obamacare.
The medical insurance business is marginally profitable. A combination of government meddling with Medicaid and Medicare and tort laws have driven up the cost to cover groups and individuals. They just can't raise premiums enough to make it very profitable without driving themselves out of the market. People will buy something else. Obamacare fixes this for the insurance companies even though it is totally and absolutely unconstitutional. The state exchanges whether set up by the state or the feds will include seven handpicked very large national medical insurance companies. The offered plans include services and products normally covered and those not normally purchased by customers (contraceptives, lower deductions, and abortion). Mandating those coverages drives up the premium and the insurance companies reap more profits, but the real bailout is the risk pool. With Obamacare the taxpayers in the states now assume the risk. The insurance companies no longer need to reserve for potential risk, because the state is paying the claims and the insurance companies are just processing the paperwork. The insurance companies boost profitability with higher premiums paid and subsidized by the taxpayers, plus the risk is passed off to the taxpayers and the insurance have no reason to reserve for the risk.
A republic is very difficult to maintain, as it’s difficult to find representatives who will hold fidelity to the Constitution, which protects you. These designing men purposefully subvert the Constitutions enabling them to loot the people and enrich themselves. Next month we'll learn about some great Republicans and some not so good.
Introduction: I made the decision to register Republican in 1979 and as a Young Republican at University I worked to help elect Ronald Reagan as President. While at University I read the works of Hume, Locke, Montesquieu, Hobbs, Plato, Cicero, and others. I made the personal decision that I wanted to live under a Republican form of government, because I believe it is the most humane. Now that I am running for 2nd Vice Chair of Georgia's 7th District, Republican Party, I want to share a series of articles that clearly define my understanding of republicanism and the principles of the Republican Party.
Tammy Osier
11:13 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
Republican principles are the best of all the choices, and not easy to maintain. that's what worries me today. People were born into our freedoms and have never lived under any other kind of government, so take it lightly.
And who would have thunk it that government interference had something to do with the current mess our healthcare system is in - imagine that ;)
majordebag@db.com
1:57 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
the "as much as I scour the constitution" statement is moronic. the republican party is over--give it up, dude, or at least try not to represent the most ridiculous element of republicans. if the u.s. house of republicans continue to obstruct, they will lose the house again and the democrats will finally be able to get something done again.
Chris P
11:17 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
You are in serious denial.
George Wilson
4:13 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The constitution gives the power to the Federal government to regulate interstate commerce.Both the airlines and the drug companies fall into this catagory.Health insurance companies serve no useful purpose other than to collect money and disburse it after taking a cut.Medicare does a more efficient job at less money.Here is what Thomas Jefferson had to say about the constitution. From a letter 1816 to Samuel Kercheval: "Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the Ark of the Covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of the preceding age wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did beyond amendment. I knew that age well; I belonged to it, and labored with it....But I also know that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times." The views expressed a simplistic philosophy that large multi- national corporations, gerrymandering of districts,the rise of the plutocrats(thanks to Republican policies) and the "Citizens United" decision that allows our government to be bought by this elite class makes much of this moot and irrelavent.Ultra consevatism will guarantee that the Republican party end up in the dust bin of history.
Tammy Osier
6:31 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The word simplistic brings to mind the simplest concept in the world 'We the people". It's supposed to be simple in concept, but has become as the other systems. History will repeat itself if we're not careful to guard what's been entrusted to us. Abraham Lincoln said: America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
He also said: We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.
And he said this: Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.
Wise man.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/abrahamlin163115.html#UW3ifJlA5i77zj63.99
Neil Stapley
3:10 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Tammy "We the people" has become "We the corporations" "We the political donors" "We the lobbyists and Special Interests groups".
George Wilson
10:31 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
@Bill Evelyn
Let me try to understand what you are saying. If a untested medical device is used by me (No FDA test or approval) and does damage to my body than I don't have a right to sue the manufacturer(Tort Reform).The free market will sort this all out under your philosophy.Also,a correction to your comments. Under the Affordable Health Care Act the profits of insurance companies are limited to about 20% as oppose to the current average of 30%. Medicare cost about 3% to run and is more efficient than an insurance company.Bill, I hope that you are elected to because with this convoluted philosophy, the progressives will take surely take over the South.
George Wilson
11:51 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
@Bill Evelyn
Medical insurance companies are worthless. All they do is collect and disburse premiums and try to deprive people of adequate coverage in order to make a profit. The overhead is tremendous for high executive salaries and marketing costs. The very conservative Affordable Health Care Act (Obama care) was the only one that Obama could get through the Congress .Progressives would have preferred a single payer system much like Canada but something is better than nothing. How can I sue if so called "Republican Tort Reforms" are put in? Your logic is contradictory in too many places. Also, Argumentum ad Hominem is a fallacy in argument/logic .Either argue the point or quit with the school yard blather. It hurts your credibility.
Chris P
12:05 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Your comment tells me you know nothing about health insurance.
Neil Stapley
4:16 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Chris I believe he has hit the nail right on the head.
George Wilson
1:59 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
@Bill Evelyn
Myth: Canada rations health care; the United States doesn’t.
"The truth is, Canada may “ration” by making people wait for some things, but here in the United States we also “ration” — by cost.
An 11-country survey carried out in 2010 by the Commonwealth Fund, a Washington-based health policy foundation, found that adults in the United States are by far the most likely to go without care because of cost. In fact, 42 percent of the Americans surveyed did not express confidence that they would be able to afford health care if seriously ill.
Further, about a third of the Americans surveyed reported that, in the preceding year, they didn’t go to the doctor when sick, didn’t get recommended care when needed, didn’t fill a prescription or skipped doses of medications because of cost.
Finally, about one in five of the Americans surveyed had struggled to pay or were unable to pay their medical bills in the preceding year. That was more than twice the percentage found in any of the other 10 countries.
And remember: We’re spending way more on health care than any other country, and for all that money we’re getting at best middling results."
So feel free to have a discussion about the relative merits of the U.S. and Canadian health care systems. Just stick to the facts. AARP article/study dated 4.16.2012
George Wilson
10:17 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Myth: Canada is a socialized health care system in which the government runs hospitals and where doctors work for the government. Princeton University health economist Uwe Reinhardt says single-payer systems are not "socialized medicine" but "social insurance" systems because doctors work in the private sector while their pay comes from a public source. Most physicians in Canada are self-employed. They are not employees of the government nor are they accountable to the government. Doctors are accountable to their patients only. More than 90 percent of physicians in Canada are paid on a fee-for-service basis. Claims are submitted to a single provincial health care plan for reimbursement, whereas in the U.S., claims are submitted to a multitude of insurance providers. Moreover, Canadian hospitals are controlled by private boards and/or regional health authorities rather than being part of or run by the government.
George Wilson
2:37 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
@ Bill Evelyn
I'm busy looking for an island with cocanuts for you to start your new republic on.
Iestyn Lewis
5:01 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
George, you're doing a noble thing by coming in here with facts. Going back and reading some of Bill's other articles, I don't think you'll make much progress, but I still applaud you for doing it. I'm not sure how a man whose idea of an appropriate public discussion involves the words "high", "kook", and "stupid" expects to win office, but what do I know.
Oh, and the US population was spared most of the effects of thalidomide, because.. wait for it... the FDA did not approve it for use here.
Neil Stapley
9:54 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Reader beware anyone posting with an opposing view to Bill no matter how many facts are listed which shows that Bill is still living in the 18th Century will be blasted with childish sarcasm and name calling. Bills world view is that women, black people gays and the poor have only themselves to blame and the greed created by the pursuit of the almighty dollar and a society of all men for themselves has had no part in our current situation. His world is a dying flicker in history and poor Billy doesn't like it. Billy boy come down from BS mountain and try living in the real world.
Neil Stapley
9:21 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
You will find its a very 20th-21st century thinking my friend. When good people finally stood up and said enough is enough and finally swept away Victorian ways of thinking and said we will no longer allow fellow human beings to starve or be denied basic medical care based on their sex, race, income bracket or religious beliefs. If you go and read the collective works of Charles Dickens this is the world you currently want to recreate.
Michael k
6:43 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Bill,
A good choice in ditching you mystical coconut island for your second contribution.
The question I would ask is this: Is government ever good?
For example, if the TSA is a huge industry subsidy and protecting air travelers is the responsibility of the airlines, is it reasonable to rely on that private industry to protect Americans? Are market forces the best way to insure passenger safety?
If it were up to the airlines would the accountants look at the potential cost burden of protecting passengers ($8.1B) and decide that a few hijacked airliners and a few hundred dead passengers each year was better business than incurring that cost?
Should the government provide fire departments? Or should clusters of citizens have to set up their own fire brigades and respond with buckets and power washers any time a fire broke out in the neighborhood?
Police? Is that an example of good government?
Waste disposal? I doubt that trash removal is in the constitution but I think we need it.
Grant
4:36 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Republicanism:( noun )
1)A disease causing acute and prolonged bouts with hypocrisy and religiously infected ideology counter to actual small government principles 2) A political idealism that causes rational people to vote for virtually anyone else
Chris P
5:01 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
An odd name for a disease that primarily infects liberal Democrats.
Grant
11:10 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Wow Chris, such enlightened commentary.
Please explain to me how the government mandated transvaginal probes of Americans against their will or government involvement in the choice of one's spouse somehow equates to smaller less intrusive government? How is it that "bans" so often favored by those infected with Republicanism equate to more personal freedom?
You're doing it wrong and in so doing letting the other guy spike the ball in the endzone with increasing regularity .
Chris P
11:59 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Grant your reply to my comment makes no sense. Of course given your original comment, I'm not at all surprised.
Grant
8:46 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
Chris P,
Is English your primary language? Which words are you having difficulty with ?
Chris P
10:53 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
Grant are you having a problem with reading comprehension?
Chris P
12:26 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
Chris Harris
If you can't express yourself without the use of foul language, then find some other place to post!!!
r patton
1:15 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
Where is Harry Turman when you need him?
Liz Kennedy
2:21 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
Patchers, Your comments are welcomed and appreciated, except for those comments that violate our Terms of Use (see below) - let's keep the personal attacks and foul language (those comments have been DELETED by me) out of this discussion. Thank you for your cooperation.
Liz Kennedy, Editor
George Wilson
3:20 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
Why are corporations sitting on over 2 trillion dollars in cash? The problem is not lack of investment money but demand. The way to increase demand is to raise the minimum wage to at least $9.00 and create a National Infrastructure Bank to rebuild America.
obviousguy
1:47 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
thank you for not deleting Bill's comment to George: "You George Wilson are simply a stupid Liberal. Lack of education, lack of judgement, and lack to humanity."
I like the nondelete because it shows that Bill has jumped the shark just like the Republican party. The republican thing really is over.
George Wilson
4:16 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
@Bill Evelyn
Inflation is not a problem in our current economy demand is the problem. How do you create demand? Seventy thousands jobs could be created in Georgia if only our Governor would add 640,000 uninsured people to the Medicaid program. Economists have also proven that raising the minimum wage to $9.00 per hour would not cause unemployment but the additional money would create demand. The spending of money on infrastructure such as roads and bridges would put construction workers back to work and create demand. Also "Argumentum ad Hominem" is still a fallacy in argument/logic .Either argue the point or quit with the school yard name calling. It hurts your credibility. As to employment I own three successful corporations and my training is in business and economics.
R++ - One of the famous "Dacula Crew"
8:40 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
To the perspective that “there is no inflation NOW” – as calculated by the Federal government. In the narrow definition they use its 2 percent or so, with ZERO or near zero banking rates offered by the Fed.
George please point out in history where the government has arranged to basically purchase its own debt to the extent that has occurred under QE Revision whatever, while holding rates so low for so long?
More importantly please offer your perspective of what will occur once that program is terminated?