November, 2009 --

[Editor's note: Though this essay is dated, it is as relevant and important today as it was in 2009.]

Unless you are a news/political junkie, it must be tough to figure out where to come down on the health care issue. There is so much material to digest. This week, I'd like to focus on just one feature of the proposed legislation. Revealing this single feature will clearly demonstrate the integrity and character behind the people involved. This is not "spin"; it is not an analysis or opinion. All I have to do is explain how the law is configured, and the conclusion will be obvious and irrefutable.

The President's Approach

President Obama has expressed his views on health care numerous times. He has said, "My bill..." and "the bill that I am proposing..." and "under my plan..." However, in point of fact, as of this date, the president has not actually proposed any specific legislation. He has not submitted any legislation to Congress, or endorsed any bill currently under consideration. If he has a specific plan in mind, even at this late date, he has not revealed it to the American people. That, by itself, makes me wary.

[2010 update: Nope; the president never did submit a bill. The bill that he signed was written by congressional aides, lawyers, and lobbyists.]

Nonetheless, he has stated that the plan he wants must include a few specific characteristics. Regarding the cost of the legislation, he has said it must be revenue-neutral. That means that it must be paid for without taking money from the general fund (the big pot of taxpayer money that Congress uses to dole out money). Second, it must cost no more than $900,000,000,000 - nine hundred billion dollars.

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