I keep trying to point out that a purely public option would be to make hospitals anyone could go to for free, no matter whether you are wealthy or not. Public trash pick up, public services for police and fire/rescue, public schools, these things are paid for by taxpayers, and you can enjoy their services whether you pay taxes or not, whether you live there or not.
An ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM, is where the gov't levies a tax against people who have higher incomes and gives it to people with lower incomes, such as through subsidies for people who cannot afford health insurance while taxing others. This is not the same thing as a purely 'public healthcare system'. An ENTITLEMENT SYSTEM is set up to incentivize people to STAY POOR. It is the very means to keep poor people dependent upon the government, generation after generation, so that politicians can use them to maintain their political power.
So, anyone using the tired old argument, "Well if you dont like socialism, you just shouldn't drive on the roads..." etc, is simply parroting something they have heard, and not something they really understand. I mean TAXPAYERS PAY FOR THE ROADS, the schools, the police force, etc. If I pay taxes, then I can feel justified in driving the roads, going to public libraries, and enjoying the benefits of society, just like someone who does not pay any taxes can enjoy those same things--they are public services.
But as a taxpayer, as a working man, as a person with a decent health insurance policy, as a guy with a job who pays his taxes and works hard all day, sometimes all night also, I cannot apply for a state assisted insurance policy. I am not eligible for any entitlement programs because I make too much money, but don't make enough to pay for everything out of pocket. This is why entitlements are a bad thing, because they are supposed to help people by "redistribution of wealth", and the claim is that the rich are going to pay the bill...except the RICH are the people who own businesses and keep the rest of us employed!!!! And will only turn around and raise their prices, fire employees, lower wages, and do other things to keep their costs low, and keep their income level the same.
These costs get shifted down to us, working folks. So the guy in the middle is now shouldering the burden of both the rich person's mansion, and the poor person's "free healthcare". So, you people making the argument that I as a taxpayer, should not try to enjoy whatever public services I already pay for, can take a flying leap!
