I think that many Utahns agree that the issue that most reveals the basic values of our two U.S. parties is health care.
For the Republicans, it is not one of the “unalienable rights” but a privilege or a benefit that people receive from their generous employers, and it is best managed by the private sector. The private sector will make sure that people receive health care according to what they work for and pay for, so that hard workers will be compensated for their efforts, and laziness will be intrinsically “scolded,” as “justice requires.”
For example, higher-earning employees will be able to pay for a platinum insurance plan that will allow them to pay very little in extra cash. Instead, lower-income employees can afford only a silver or bronze plan and will have to pay thousands of dollars if they need a hospitalization. So, they pay less monthly for insurance, but they lose the peace of mind of not having to pay huge cash payments. They are “scolded” for their lower productivity. A complex administration of “gatekeepers” will be needed to take into account all these different insurance “metals.” Lots of paperwork...
The Democrats, instead believe that standard health care belongs to the unalienable rights (“life”) and should be provided as a public service to all citizens, with no or minimal cash extra payments for all. Such as it happens with our decent K-12 public education. The productivity of people can find plenty of just rewards in other non-necessary products and services, but not in the necessary ones.
Because the necessary ones belong to the general welfare, which is a constitutional right, dependent on “all men are created equal” and connected equal dignity. Are the Democrats more faithful to our great U.S. Constitution than the Republicans? And, ultimately, do they propose a better organized health care system, with easier administration?
Adrian Comollo, Lehi