Presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton, (D-New York) has unveiled her plan for healthcare. More over, Universal Health Care.

This 110 Billion, (yup, Billion) dollar plan will be funded by halting tax-cuts, increasing taxes, and mandating that All American citizens have health insurance.

“Perhaps more than anybody else I know just how hard this fight will be,” said Clinton. No kidding! This is a replay of her attempt in the 1990’s to instill universal health care. Not only was it defeated, but it helped garner control of the House and Senate for Republicans. In an attempt to pre-empt the Republican criticism, Hilary continued: “I know my Republican opponents will try to equate health care for all Americans with government-run health care. Don’t let them fool us again. This is not government-run.”

How can it not be government-run? Anytime the government mandates something, it is the government’s attempt to run the mandate. In making the rules, government will say what is and isn’t acceptable, what is the minimum coverage. Under Clinton’s plan, individuals could continue their employer’s group plans, or if the employers do not offer insurance, they can contribute to a “government-run plan” to cover those that are uninsured. But wait, didn’t she just say that this is not government-run?

One can only guess in the event that you default on your health insurance, that you will automatically fall into the government-run insurance program. What incentives would individuals have to pay for insurance to begin with? With this mandate-insurance are they also telling Doctors and Pharmacists what they can and can’t charge for services and products?

This is another attempt to bring the failed socialist ideals from the east to our boarders. In Clinton’s and other liberal’s speaking you hear one theme that is consistent: take from the haves and give it to the have-nots. Their Robinhood ideals are noble. Ensuring that all individuals can live a perfectly, secure life and that all things are taken care of by Big Brother from cradle to grave. But we live in a real world. Those who have a comfortable living should not be punished because they have worked to have money and the poor should not be handed things just because their situation is unfortunate. Every American does have the right to prosperity, but it should not come at the expense of others.

These ideas are sending a dangerous message to our younger generations. They are being told that if you grow up, make money and be successful, you will be punished and that you will have to work even harder to secure a comfortable living for your family. They are being taught that the more money you make, the heavier your tax burden will be. These ideas are taking away incentives for our youth to grow and be the most successful they can be.
If these socialist ideas will be implemented in America; from Universal Health Care to knocking down a few pegs those on higher ground in an effort to lift those in the valley to create a level playing field; we will loose sight of the free market.

If liberals want to continue their ideas that everyone should have health care, they need to focus on incentives for individuals to have health care such as increasing tax cuts for lower income brackets when they pay for the health insurance premiums. If they truly wish to make health care affordable in America, they should visit ways of continuing tort-reform legislation, and creating attractive health care alternatives such as Health Savings Accounts which is not only consumer-driven, but also doubles as an additional retirement plan for those who enroll once they reach retirement age.

Lisa Peana is a resident of Ceredo, WV and ran for the House of Delegates as a Republican in District 17, Wayne County in 2006.