Folks, We Already Have "Death Panels." They're Called Insurance Companies

August 16, 2009
By: Dave Rogers

The unassailable facts in the health care "debate" are that the insurance companies already hold the fate of seriously ill Americans in their hands.

The hysteria about so-called "death panels" totally ignores the fact that the insurance companies now make the decision on whether seriously ill Americans receive more care, or even the proper care.

Doctors can recommend until kingdom come, but the guy who writes the check calls the shots.

And, the guy who writes the check is the insurance company.

They are the "death panels" that the protesters apparently fear, but ignorantly fail to recognize are already with us.

It is hard for this corner to imagine how rational citizens can accept the purported $14 million a year, or $7 million a year, average annual pay of insurance company CEOs and argue for continuation of the present "system."

A campaign of misinformation worthy of George Orwell's book 1983 is sweeping the country, ginned up, obviously, by moneyed interests whose goal is the status quo.

What about the 46-47-48 million Americans without any health care at all?

What about the fact that we all have to pay for their care anyway through higher premiums?

Tortured logic flows in rivers and spokespeople like the inimitable Sarah Palin have gone overboard in their opposition to any change in the nation's health care.

You have to wonder why ordinary citizens who don't even know what the final bill will say are so "infuriated" at the thought of change.

Anyone who thinks this activity isn't serious, and is just healthy debate, should consider that in several instances people carrying guns have been discovered at the rallies. How long do you think it will be before they start using those guns to vent their frustration, and vent the public officials in their sights.

Marshall Dillon, where are you now that we need you?

Yes, we have freedom of speech, but like the old saw goes, that only is acceptable until you shout FIRE! in a crowded theater. Then free speech becomes a crime. Inciting crowds to madness begins to approach that standard. Carrying guns to public meetings makes one wonder: why? But I guess the answer is obvious. The "debate" is out of control, the hysteria is reaching the stratosphere and there is very little that is useful being achieved.

An unfortunate failing of human nature is greed and a perverse trait of human nature is to deny the fruits of the nation's prosperity to those less fortunate.

These aspects are confirmed, this corner believes, in the reluctance of so-called senior speakers, who stand to gain the most, to even allow a rational discussion of the topic in so-called "town halls."

"Town Brawls" they are being aptly termed by television pundits as the right wing continues to attempt to reverse the results of the 2008 election.

We don't know if President Obama, or anyone else for that matter, has the skill to reverse what appears to be a classic fascist campaign of misinformation and disruption.

Frankly, my dear, I've never seen anything like it in my lifetime. And, when it is over I expect we will continue to be pawns in the hands of the big, over-stuffed executives of the insurance industry.

And, no doubt, we will continue to pay for the uninsured who seek the most expensive care possible -- in hospital emergency rooms.

WHAT A COUNTRY!!! ###