September 06, 2007 ... The most pressing issue of our day.

Let me start with full disclosure: Having been diagnosed with Congenital Spina Bifida, I have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, and even an expansion of the current welfare state that exists in the United States. I have been diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) which means that I am fully covered by Social Security with full medical and financial benefits. In addition, I receive full Medicare benefits, Part A, B, and D. In short, my life, and my ability to spend money relies nearly completely upon the misguided governmental largess of the welfare state which exists in the United States today. The quality and generosity of the social and medical services available to me is not at all realized by my European counterparts of the EU, whose political representatives frequently cite the dire lack of medical and social care in America as the prime example of what perils await their electorate if government spending is not increased at all possible opportunities. Michael Moore’s recent video playing to these fears to deliver Cannes Film Festival winning footage (Sicko) for 2007.

When I was born, the "experts" told my parents I would never walk, and probably would not live past the age of four or five. By the time I was four I had been walking for over two years, and there was no sign of my imminent demise. The "experts" then told my parents I would not be able to walk much longer, and I probably wouldn't live past the age of twenty. At twenty-one, when I reached the age of legal adulthood, I was still walking, and still no signs of Death on the horizon. Once again, the doomsayers predicted my imminent immobility and demise, but I have now attained the age of forty-nine, and I no longer care what the "experts" have to say about me, or my condition.

To compound my medical travails I have lived a little over sixteen years on dialysis. I fully expect to live for another sixteen years, and continue to walk walk as well as I have ever been able to walk. And, as a secondary development, I have been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure.

Of course, there has been a price to pay for this serendipitous life I live. Granted, like my European counterparts of the EU, I do not have to pay that price myself, as it is effectively paid in full by the taxpayers of the United States, via the welfare state the government has created.

In 1948 the the National Health Service (NHS) was instigated in Great Britain, and with the scope of the medical technology of the time, allied to a comparatively short life expectancy, the cost to the Exchequer was easily manageable. It must be remembered that many working people did not even live long enough to collect their state pension. As of today, the NHS costs the British taxpayer almost $208-billion. Upon seeing the political success of the NHS model, Medicare was enacted in 1965 by the US government, actuaries estimating that the hospitalization plan would cost a very manageable $9-billion per annum. However, like its British counterpart, costs spiralled hugely: By 1990 the cost stood at $67-billion. By 2004 the cost of Medicare exceeded $300-billion. And is estimated to be $445-billion for 2007. Social Security looks much the same, and between the two programs, they comprise almost two-thirds of the federal budget.

This is a recipe for disaster, and obviously cannot continue, yet there they are, every single one of the Democrat Presidential contenders suggesting we should have "universal healthcare." Social Security from FDR, Medicare from LBJ, and now the Medicare Drug Plan from George W. Bush are three promises the government should never have made, but it seems we are stuck with this black hole into which massive amounts of of American taxpayers' money disappears.

Fifty-one percent of American citizens, now recieve benefits under these programs in one form or another. One out of every two citizens recieves a check from the U.S. Treasury for whatever reason.

Despite the fact I am a direct beneficiary of this misguided largess, I recognize it is slowly (and not so slowly any longer,) killing the American economy. People will say--especially politicians seeking office and pressure groups needing a purpose in life--"but what about the sick and disabled, what would they do without the government." Sadly, the only answer to this question seems to be "they would die."

Personally, I do not believe this prediction. Yes, some would die, as many already do, even with Medicare. No one knows what exactly would happen if we were to do the rational, responsible thing, and eliminate these misguided welfare programs. However, it is my belief the private sector and charities because their capital is not being ruthlessly expropriated from them to fund Medicare, etc., would step up and deliver what they once could afford to offer, prior to these programs. In other words, were we to eliminate these ridiculous welfare programs, the savings to the United States taxpayers, as they would also be for EU taxpayers, would enable taxpayers--currently having their money stolen/expropriated directly out of their paychecks--to give willingly and freely, of their own volition, to any charity or private organization of their choosing.

I am confident that, properly incentivized by self-interest, people would step forward to replace the role the government currently assumes, except they would then be doing it voluntarily, and not by governmental fiat. I would strongly urge all taxpayers to reconsider the paternal role our governments have assumed, and return to the principles of self determination and free will, rather than depending on a nanny state government that cannot manage other people’s money better than those who earn it.

Do the math--there simply are not enough people to pay the kind of draconian taxes the government would require to service Medicaid and Social Security as it is envisaged. We could literally confiscate all of the money earned by the top ten percent of wage earners, and that money would be gone within a matter of a few years. And that would be a one-time hit. Who would want to earn wealth under those circumstances. Obviously, something needs to change.

I urge everyone to research this issue, and get informed. Our governments will soon have gone past the point of no return, and will force us into third world status, as the massive deficits continue to rise. It isn't too late to act, contact your elected representatives today and demand that Social Security and Medicare--or whatever it is called in the EU member-states--is abolished. Even the notoriously extravagant French are having to get a grip.

Your future is a better future when it is in your hands.