One fact about our system of governance — even more than most — is that it is entirely conditioned on the consent of the governed. It’s spelled out in the Declaration of Independence, right in the second paragraph: “That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
It’s a fact of our daily lives. The government relies on the vast majority of Americans just quietly obeying the law, going along, as part of the social compact.
The health care financing “reform” bill is even more dependent on that concept — and that could be its Achilles heel.
So much of it depends on people just accepting it as the new reality, and adapting to it and going on with their normal business. But that is far from guaranteed.
The government’s assumption of command and control of one-sixth of the nation’s economy can be summed up as thus: “if youre going to play this game, these are the rules. You will obey those rules under penalty of law.”
The assumption that could backfire if enough people and groups decide they don’t want to play the game.
The government sets limits on what it will pay for prescription drugs at pharmacies. Well, the pharmacies can decide they won’t take Medicare payments. Will the government demand these pharmacies operate at a loss? Well, the Obama administration might — but they can’t demand that Walgreen keep its doors open.
They can dictate what doctors can charge for their services when they treat Medicare and Medicaid patients, but they can’t demand that the doctors accept them as patients — or stay practicing if they want to quit.
And what would happen if, should health insurance become mandatory, people simly refuse to sign up — or, worse, refuse to provide proof of insurance?
I have a hunch the people behind the current atrocity called “health care reform” have an inkling about that. That would explain why they’;ve decided to put the IRS in charge of collecting the taxes and confirming that people are enrolled.
If this abortion actually becomes law, I’m toying with the idea of simply refusing to provide any information about whether or not I have health insurance. That is strictly a matter between me, my employer, and their insurance provider of choice. And should my employer or insurance company think about answering for me, I wonder if doing so in deliberate contradiction with my wishes would constitute a HIPAA violation.
I haven’t launched any stupid crusades in a while. This might be a fun one to start…
