If health insurance were like auto insurance....

The controversy surrounding the health insurance debate, and the case before the Supreme Court, is rather complicated to say the least.  The law, which is thousands of pages long, places restrictions on physicians, insurance companies, and patients alike.  The bottom line is this:  this case shouldn't even be at the Supreme Court level.  If the government had stayed out of private and economic matters, as the constitution intended, this wouldn't be an issue. 

I don't think that everyone should be forced to get insurance, but I understand that many uninsured patients skip out on hospital bills.  Since a hospital must treat everyone who comes in, this places financial strain on these institutions, then the cost is absorbed by other patients.

OK, so fine, if they want everyone to get insurance, it should be like auto insurance.  Auto insurance is dictated by the free market.  There are hundreds of different companies and plans available.  Some of the main benefits to this would be:

-Competitive pricing.  If a new company wishes to enter the market, they are going to have to price their product lower than their competitors.  Eventually the pricing, re-pricing, and adjusting will cause the market to reach some sort of equilibrium.  The health insurance market is what's referred to as an oligopoly.  In an oligopoly, entrance to the market is somewhat difficult, but not impossible, and a handful of large firms tend to dominate the market share.  If all healthcare were privatized, more companies would need to enter the market or the others would need to expand, leading to:

-Job creation.  Private insurance companies hire workers.  Their salaries are paid by the profits the company makes, not by taxpayer dollars.  This would alleviate the burden of taxpayers paying for Medicaid and Medicare workers.  Speaking of Medicare and Medicaid:

-If the government were to do away with these entitlement programs, or phase out Medicare gradually, a large portion of the budget would be slashed, putting the U.S. one step closer to balancing the budget.

-Lower costs to the healthier population.  Personally, I don't have any DUI's, accidents, and limited speeding tickets (knock on wood).  Therefore, my insurance is fairly low.  I made a decision to purchase a car within my price range, so I can afford my monthly payments.  Similarly, I have few health problems and have made a decision not to have children, smoke, or engage in unhealthy habits, so therefore, I can afford to pay my health insurance. 

-Personal accountability and responsibility for citizens.  If all citizens had to pay for their health insurance, the way they do for auto insurance, perhaps people would make more responsible decisions.  For example, if the government right now covered poor people's car insurance the way they do health insurance, a poor person could get a series of DUIs and tickets with few, if any, consequences.  These people are having more and more children, who in turn, suck more lifeblood from the system.  They use the ER as their own personal physician.  Why?  Because it's free.  If something is free, most are going to take advantage of it.

-Freedom of choice for religious organizations.  Let's suppose I start an insurance company.  I'm not going to cover birth control.  I'm not going to cover addiction rehabilitation.  I'm not going to cover heart disease (shouldn't have eaten all those cheeseburgers over the years).  I'm not going to cover flu shots (the flu is good for you- it builds your immune system).  I'm not going to cover strep throat (that's what Jack Daniels, honey, and Hot Damn are for).  Maybe that sounds crazy, but if that plan appealed to some people, then that could be their personal decision. 

I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I do believe the government has no place in matters like this.  Only once the market has been deregulated and the government has ceased involvement, will consumers truly benefit.

Weave bombing: the latest threat to America

The threat of terrorism is real.  How real?  Well, depends who you ask.  If Bill O'Reilly is to be believed, and he always is, there's probably a terrorist hiding under your bed right now.[1]  (Rick Santorum is more worried there’s a used condom under there).

But all joking aside, as long as humans have been around, so have war and animosity towards ones enemies.  The United States has enemies.[2]  I'm not going to deny this.  So what is our government doing to keep us safe from these enemies?  How are they preventing another September 11 attack?

Is the government amending it's foreign policy to and withdrawing troops from Afghanistan?  No.  Are they opening dialog with foreign officials of hostile nations such as Iran?  No.  Are they building positive relationships through free trade?  Not a chance.

Threats to America.

Instead, the MENSA rejects in Washington are increasing TSA restrictions, naturally.  Obviously, shoes have been a threat since 2002 and bringing bottled water through security is now akin to bringing crack to a kindergarten class.  The underwear bomber?  Yep, we all remember that guy.  

Now I don't have top secret security clearances to classified material, but I can tell you this: the latest threat comes not from hiding explosives in ones shoes, underwear, or any other body orifice.

What's the latest threat?  Weave bombing.

Yes, our government officials have taken a stand against this threat.  And who is suspect number one?  Yours truly, Zoe.  (Or any other girls who wears hair extensions).

The last few times I've gone to the airport, after going through the TSA full-body scanners, I've had the pleasure of receiving a pat down.   

This man is keeping America safe from me.

On.  My.  Head.

(Yeah, kinda like a golden retriever).

The last time, I followed the instructions, removed my shoes, sweater, and belt and assumed the position in the tube. 

Side note: The full body scanner is the same dimension as the spray tan booth.  If the government really wants to make a little cash, they could combine the two.  If you thought sitting next to the 350 lb. woman on the plane was rough, imagine watching her disrobe naked and get sprayed with orange lotion.

Upon exiting, the TSA female officer said, "I'm going to need to pat your head."  She then proceeded to FEEL MY HEAD FOR POTENTIAL EXPLOSIVES.

Do you know how embarrassing that is?  I don't mind admitting I have hair extensions.  Hell, I wrote a blog about it.  I just don't think my business needs to be put out there like that in front of a line of business people heading to San Antonio.[3] 

I wasn't singled out.  I saw them pat down a few other adult females, and my personal favorite, a small African American girl who couldn't have been older than two.  Her offense?  She had pony tail holders with metal balls holding her hair back. 

I have no idea how it would be physically possible to even hide explosives in my hair.  It's not like I have a bird’s nest or a beehive on my head.   What the hell could I be hiding in there???????  I'm not a bomb expert, but I'm pretty sure most explosives are wider than a few millimeters.

Also, think about the germs that could be spread from head to head.  Hairdressers sterilize their combs and scissors between clients whereas TSA uses the same gloves for everyone.

This epitomizes ridiculous.  Is our government so daft and resistant to real solutions to combat terrorism, which their hand puppet, the TSA, is putting on this show for everyone?  I'm really sure the passengers on my plane felt much safer knowing that I had a thorough pat down.  I'm barely 110 lbs.  I could probably have an RPG and get easily disarmed. 

So sleep well tonight, my friends.  The government is taking all necessary precautions to protect you from scary men in turbans and girls with long hair.  Plus, I could never be a suicide bomber.  I just paid $400 to get these extensions done.

Next time, I am doing my hair like this.  Wait, is that BACON????

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[1] Go check.  Immediately. 

[2] Really?  Everyone doesn’t love the Dallas Cowboys, processed food and forced occupation?

[3] As the female agent was patting down my head for explosives, she was simultaneously complimenting me on my extensions however.