Paved with Good Intentions

As we creep closer to socialized medicine, I am continually reminded that many enemies of liberty do not understand why, though they shackle us with unconstitutional legislation, they are not greeted as liberators.

It is because our current struggle in which we see our liberties further eroded is, for the most part, nothing more than a symptom of a broader problem--the problem of good intentions.

Now, good intentions are not bad. In fact, I work in accordance with good intention as I am sure most do. The problem arises when we let our desire for good blind us to the results of our actions.

The good intent of wanting to help granny get down the steps quicker cannot justify me giving her a little push. Yes, intentions count, but so do results.

Not all actions by our elected officials have noble origins. Corruption, immorality, and the like rule quite often at all levels of government. But on occasion, good intentions back legislative decisions. However, what we must realize is that government is not a game of effort, but rather, it involves human lives--human lives whose life and liberty are often in peril when met with government interference.

So let us always stand against action of bad intention, but also, let us guard against what is proposed for our "own good."

We must remember that however noble the intentions, the results are what matters. Perhaps many in Congress desire passage of Obamacare because they truly want to help. But when its passage results in loss of life and liberty, there noble intentions will be nothing more than a kind start to a bitter end.

Unconstitutionality Trumps Grandma

Today I read a Tennessean article describing the efforts of Lamar Alexander (R-TN) as he works with party leadership to combat Obamacare. This article was sent to me by the Tennessee Republican Party lauding one of their party members. I do not share in this praise. Of course, I want the current Senate “healthcare reform” bill to fail, but I can offer no praise to the words or deeds of Sen. Alexander and those like him.

The Article Begins:

To understand Sen. Lamar Alexander's role in the ongoing debate in the Senate on health-care reform legislation, you have to go back to a floor speech Alexander made in July.

"We are talking about Medicare cuts and spending grandma's Medicare money on somebody else," Alexander said back then. His comments received no press coverage.

During the next six months, Alexander repeated some version of that phrase 13 more times during floor speeches.

By last week, he had refined the message: "If we are going to take money from grandma's Medicare, let's spend it on grandma."

The article then quotes Senator Bob Corker (R-TN):

"Our focus is to stay on the core message," Corker said. That message is that the health-care bill includes Medicare cuts, higher taxes and unfunded Medicaid mandates on the states.

My concern with the health care bill isn't that there is going to be a gobbling up of "grandma's Medicare." In fact, the Medicare program is repugnant to the Constitution and should be ended.

My concern is simple: the federal government lacks the authority to provide health insurance.

Do I believe that the proposed Obamacare plan will lead to higher costs, higher taxes, unfunded mandates, rationing, and countless other mistakes? Absolutely! But if none of these concerns were on the table, I would still oppose the plan because it is unconstitutional. (See my previous post.)

We need reform, but we don't need what is being proposed. Moreover, we need to make sure that if we oppose government run healthcare and health insurance, we need to really oppose government healthcare and insurance (i.e Medicare.)

As for me, I will not use fear tactics (though they be grounded in truth) as my rallying cry. Rather, I will stand upon the Constitution, I will stand upon morality, and I will stand against anything to the contrary.