Healthcare or Warfare?

Both concerns have nothing to do with either side being more compassionate or hawkish than the other.

Liberals believe in supporting the weapons of war when it (Surprise! Surprise!) benefits them politically and financially. Consider the following examples:

1) The F-22 Raptor - Democrats who represent districts where any particular piece of this damn cool but arguably unneeded weapon was manufactured where more than ready to fight for the plane's survival. The hypocrisy of any liberal's defense of this program (assuming he/she is anti-war and/or pro-govt. health care) is that a) this is weapon of war that b) is not needed as the enemy it was intended for the (U.S.S.R.) is no longer in existence. The planes we have now should be more than sufficient. Politics makes support for weapons of war expedient and high-minded ideology takes a back seat.

2) Other boondoggles include tax payer purchase of two destroyer class battle ships (eh... a few billion dollars here and there...) the Pentagon states it neither wants nor needs. There are also C-17 transport planes being purchased that, once again, are neither wanted nor needed. The problem with these programs are twofold: Not only do such programs tend to blow their estimated budgets (doubling them, if not even more), but they suck funds from programs that are deemed necessary. To top it off, you have unrepentant liberal "heroes" (Read: Mouthpieces) such as John Murtha who don't care what you, I or the rest of the country thinks about this brazen abuse of power. The height of hubris is that Murtha has made it clear he has neither faith in nor respect for the U.S. military. But he'll use it's existence to further his own ends. Yep. That's some compassion and leadership there.

With regards to defense (or, to use your terminology "the financial burden of fighting foreign wars"), I tend to be biased as I have friends and family serving in the military. That's why I tend to get enraged when I hear about the lack of adequate body armor or vehicular armor. But, hey, let's make some more super jets and boats we don't need! How is that compassionate again?

Now on to health care. I've worked in mental health and social services for over 13 years. The one thing I can state without hesitation is that no govt. program is person centered. Govt., by it's very nature, tends to be process driven.

Consider this example from my personal experience: One of the problems in my home state (which is proudly democrat) is there is not adequate housing available to meet the needs of mentally retarded individuals who have severe behavioral problems. Oh, this has been kicked around in committees and thru the legislature, and money has been thrown at agencies to placate parents and advocates. The problem is, newly designated "crisis units" wanted two weeks notice prior to any placements and many were refusing to accept MR clients with severe behavioral problems. Do you see the insanity here? A crisis, by it's nature, cannot be scheduled and, in my humble opinion, if you're going to take tax payer money to address a specifically identified need, you damn well better provide the service you agreed to get paid for. I went and spoke to legislature and other high muck-a-mucks on the matter. Everyone agreed there was a problem that needed to be addressed... and that was the extent of the state's concern. I was told by a DHHR rep. and my delegate that things would change if and when my state ever elected a governor with a special needs child. It all comes down to human nature, laziness and greed and there is no shortage of laziness or greed on either side of the political spectrum.

You would likely label me a conservative. That's fine. But understand, I believe in meaningful health care reform. Wouldn't it be nice if the current administration and party in power bothered to let us see what exactly it is they are doing? If that doesn't have your wind up, you have more faith in govt. than I believe it deserves. I'm ready and willing to aid the helpless... those, who thru no fault of there own (the disabled, the elderly and children) cannot meet their needs. I don't want to see anyone suffer, but I am not for enabling the clueless (e.g., junkies and the just plain worthless). As a closing thought, we have programs that are set up to meet the needs of the less fortunate. Why can the govt. not expand on those programs (Medicare and Medicaid)? More bureaucracy indicates a desire for more power and a brazen admission of greed. You tell me why it's okay for the govt. to express the very traits you say your deplore in those you label as conservatives. I can't wrap my brain around that mindset.

That's the deal.

We DO bare the burden of wars... it's called TAXES and less people are concerned about war then are opposed to "health care reform" but let's call it what it is: INSURANCE REFORM. Or call it what it really is any how: the redistribution of (insurance) wealth to the government instead of those "evil insurance companies! This much like the "evil oil corporations" who have the nerve to turn a profit due to our own gluttony! All LIES and smoke screen to create an emotional response.. The poor have adequate care although Social Progressives would have you believe "thousands are dying in the streets" even while it takes 5-years for their "helping plan" to begin... but how about taking that budget you spent on electronic gadgets and entertainment spent in 2008 (equaling that spent on health care) and use it to purchase insuranced? Or are we "uncaring" that you have to make such a critical choice of "stuff" over your own self-sufficiency? Take charge of your own lifew and stop expecting the rest of us to bear your burden for the sake of the newest Blackberry!

1. Democrats supported the wars as much as republicans did.

2. The two are not mutually exclusive or even related.

Your question is meaningless. I do not support the war and never have. At the same time, I realize the health care bill is a huge piece of trash power grab disguised as helping the people. It isn't going to help the needy. It is going to hurt everybody.

Neither. Pay off the national credit card first.

What is the deal with everyone wanting to give our grandchildren the bill for all this spending?

You're comparing apples to porcupines.

2 entirely unrelated topics.

You already said it....that is the deal.

They are not Christian not Conservative and not good for the country.

KRIEG! KRIEG! KREIG!