President Obama And Herbert Hoover

As I listened to our president talk to the joint session of congress on Wednesday night I could not help but think about our 31st president, Herbert Hoover. Now, Hoover was a Republican but I think Obama might be channeling him.

In 1921 Hoover was head of the American Relief Administration and organized shipment of food to millions of people starving in Europe. When criticized he said, "Twenty million people are starving. Whatever their politics, they shall be fed!"

When he ran for president in 1928 his slogan was, "A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage". This was his way of saying that under his presidency everyone would find prosperity. He also said, "We in America today are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land." He won the election but within months of his taking office the stock market crashed and the country spiraled into what we now call THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

Fast-forward to 2009 and president Obama is pushing for health care coverage for every American. His slogan could be a version of Hoover's! HEALTH CARE FOR EVERY FAMILY AND A CAR IN EVERY GARAGE" He attempted the car idea with the cash for clunkers program ( I read just tonight that Oklahoma car dealers are still awaiting the check from the government on this deal). And the health care debate is revving up to full throttle.

If we allow the public option for health care insurance then the publicly held companies (such as the one I work for) will find it easy to dump health coverage to add profits to the bottom line for shareholder value. After all, the government will have a plan that will work.

Then, when the competition is taken out of the health care insurance industry and costs and volume are overwhelming to the government there will have to be more controls. Perhaps we can move the annual physical to every 2 or 3 years instead. Oh, and we really will have to start controlling the grocery industry. They sell way too much fatty, sugary, high calorie foods. Sorry, but it really is for your good.

We really do want people in the public option health care plan. To make that happen on an accelerated pace, perhaps an incentive: Go with our plan and we will throw in a GM or Chrysler vehicle. The unions need jobs.

Does the government owe you health care? I think not. They owe you a safe country that allows you the the pursuit of what you want. You want health care....get focused, get serious, prioritize, sell your car that is newer than mine, have garage sales, downsize your home, if you lost your job, get a hand up from time to time, give others a hand up from time to time. GO! GET IT! EARN IT! NEVER GIVE UP. How bad do you want it?

We need reform in the health care industry. And government can help there with some regulation. But I am not ready to turn all aspects of my life over to government care. And if they have not been successful with Medicare how can we expect them to do well with health care for all?