Enjoy that flippin Belgian Waffle and make me pay for it.
September 17, 2007 – 8:12 am I was on a business trip recently and begun to get really heated in my opinions on healthcare. Upon discussion our current issues with social security and medicare…etc, I got extremely angry when it was presented to me that we are living longer lives not because we are healthier but because we are more medicated. In other words all that money that I am working hard for is going to the older population that have year after year polluted their body and led a sedentary lifestyle decade after decade.
When I got really upset is when i was at the hotel restaurant and looked over at a woman, by FDA standards morbidly obese, probably around 250 pounds and 70+ years old going to town on this huge belgian waffle with whipped cream and strawberry glaze. I realize that my tax dollars are paying for her f#*!ing diabetes medication and heart disease pills. Worse yet she is going to live longer and continue taking my hard earned money towards her doctor bills and her medication.
So am i saying to penalize old fat people that eat unhealthy…no, but I am saying as a society that is so concerned about the social security crunch upcoming and lack of funding and national deficit that one of the first places we need to look is our own health to preserve our national funding and debt in the future…Preventative care…goverment excersize issues…taxes on fast food…tax cuts on agriculture farmers that stick to fruits and vegatables…etc. There is alot to do to change what we have in front of us, but it may be a first line of attack in a future that for our aging health care system is in desparate need of a “nip and tuck.”
5 Responses to “Enjoy that flippin Belgian Waffle and make me pay for it.”
rt on.
By steven on Sep 17, 2007
“U.S. health costs related to obesity are estimated at $117 billion per year as studies sponsored by the U.S. government have linked it with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1142796920070911?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNewsg
By Dan on Sep 17, 2007
People who CHOOSE to live an unhealthy lifestyle should be penalized. But they should not be penalized by any one person, politcal group, special interest group, etc. They should however be penalized by the free market.
Here’s some insight for you. Insurance is a legal form of gambling with a twist of forced savings wrapped in a cloke of percieved peace of mind.
In a nutshell, Insurance companies are betting that you won’t get sick. They are betting that due to your age, gender, lifestyle, etc. you won’t get sick enough that a years bills will be higher than your deductible. When the odds are increased out of their favor, (i.e. smoker, obese, daredevil!) premiums get higher. In other words, they are hedging their bets! Who could blame them?
In order to buy in to the idea of having your neighbor pay for your grandparents healthcare through paying taxes (Medicare), or your coworker paying for your son or daughter’s healthcare through paying taxes (SCHIP), you must believe that every American has the RIGHT to medical care. I have yet to locate that “right” in the Constition. But who cares about the Constitution anymore, right?
There was a day, I’m told, when you went to the hospital you paid cash. People went to the Doctor when they had to and treated that relationship similar to an other “contractor” such as a roofer. Doctors provide a service, not philanthropy. There was a day when people were responsible enough to save money for their everyday needs, not bet on their futures.
Consider car insurance… I have been driving for 10 years, which means I have paid somewhere in the range of $12,000 in premiums. Recently I was at fault in a small traffic “incident” costing a combined $3k or so in damages to both cars. I have a $500 deductible. When I got the estimate and looked at the bottom line a friend of mine said, “well, thank God for insurance?” Really?! If I didn’t have to pay insurance I would be in the black $9500 over this 10 year span. All the Insurance company did was allow me to withdrawal a small portion of money from my forced savings account. I still have a few more wrecks in my future for this all to make sense.
So what’s the bottom line? Am I saying that insurance is bad? No, not at all. What I am saying is that in a society burdened with delusions of entitlement for no other reason than they are a citizen of this great nation (and in too many cases when they are not), we need to stop relying on other people to achieve the American dream. Insurance is meant to protect our assets from a catastrophic event not pay for everyday bills. Practice responsible buying habits,(that may mean not having the latest computer, cell phone, etc.) save your money, practice a healthy lifestyle. You’ll be surprised how inexpensive healthcare can actually be.
Bottom line, my intent is not to tell anyone how they should live their life. If you like being fat, be fat. If you like to smoke, smoke. If you want to play a real life version of frogger (god forbid), do it. After doing all those things, though, do not complain when your wallet takes a hit.
Drew
By Drew on Oct 23, 2007
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
By Idetrorce on Dec 15, 2007
Idetrorce. I love a good debate. In the words of O’Reilly, tell me where I’m wrong.
By Drew on Dec 19, 2007