Last week as the Cash for Clunkers car program announced all the money was gone after only a week; it reminded me of a quote Thomas Jefferson left for us. " A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have." As the deficit soars and the spending escalates, what happens when we run out of money to fund a government run health care system?  We better think about these things.  After all, we the people fund the government.  Government doesn't make money. 

We can breathe a sigh of relief that Congress will break for August without voting on health care reform.  Let's hope the American people will voice their opinions to these federal elected officials that we need to let the free market work.  We need alternatives to "Obamacare" that will not kill small business jobs and not destroy the private insurance market.

It seems some members of Congress are hearing the message loud and clear from the grassroots.  For small business owners, another tax or mandate will put them over the clif.  They just can't afford it and will lay workers off or just close their doors.  Lisa Dolan, an NCPA Advisory Council member testified last week before Congress about her situation.  She owns a private investigation and security company in Queens, New York where she employs 124 workers.  She told congress she can't afford these new mandates.  Last year her gross payroll was $3.9 million and net payroll was $2.8 million which means her payroll taxes alone were just shy of $1 million.  Adding an 8 percent penalty on workers' wages means her revenue goes down another $320,000 a year.  That is real money when you are trying to grow and expand your business.  She said that forcing her to provide health insurance for all her employees is going to drive her to raise her prices, lay people off or shut her doors.

Congress will continue to "tweak" the health care reform legislation when they go back into session after Labor Day.  Small business owners must continue to let their voices be heard on this issue. Members of congress must mull options that should include free markets and consumer choice. Otherwise, we have to worry about a government run health care system running out of money and destroying our economy.

2 Responses to “Cash for Clunkers (cars) ran out of money! Could same thing happen to Government run Health Care?”

1. Delores Boone Says:
   August 14th, 2009 at 9:43 pm

   Good comments here. I agree, the program did not seem to be well thought out. Can’t totally blame the President, after all Congress read it (I hope) and approved it.

   Perhaps the program needs be present on a sliding scale of some sort so that the poverty level folks can have the opportunity to trade in really old gas gussler’s for a newer make of car that will be better for our environment and save them money on gasoline at the same time. After all, if all your spare change goes into the gas tank each week ………..

2. David in Sydney Says:
   September 15th, 2009 at 1:28 am

   So now the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program has ended, I think the auto industry will have a turbulent few months. The Australian stimulus is set to continue until Dec

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