The Colvin Report: 'Change' Round 2

I knew I had recognized Obama's campaign tactics from somewhere, it finally came to me. Remember middle school elections for class president? The kid who promised the vending machines always won. Obama is that kid. He has no plan or means of delivering, but everyone loves the way it sounds. Everyone likes candy, especially if it's free.

My next issue, Obama's take on government provided health care.

He talks about bringing drug companies, insurance companies, and politicians to the table and working together (Remember, I've already questioned his ability to work together)to come up with a feasible plan. I appreciate that he recognizes he needs a plan, but come on, If that would really work, don't you think we'd have universal health care by now. Well, we don't. If you can't break party lines, how do you bring corporations with billions of dollars and their shareholder's interest at stake to the table and expect them to turn over their livelihood. Goodbye vending machine. Hello reality.

Here is my take, we have Medicare/Medicaid to provide health care to low income families and we have Welfare, job training, and various supplemental income programs that vary slightly by state. We also have an unemployment rate of almost 3 times less than the European average. Like they say, give a man a fish, feed him for a day, but teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. That still holds true.

For lower middle to middle income families, is the real issue that they can't afford health care or that they have their spending priorities wrong? Everyone hates paying for insurance, but sometimes you have to plan ahead. If a flat panel tv, a car stereo, or nice clothes are more important to you than providing your family with health care, I understand, I'm materialistic too. But, lets admit there are better ways to solve this problem. Let's not turn hospitals into the DMV, one is bad enough.

My suggestion: Tax credits for insurance premiums. No free money, but if you pay it, you can get it back. More feasible and allows the benefits of privatized health care. Maybe I should run for president.