The Kazmer Report

(From the Daily American Debate available in the Daily American on Tuesdays)

By RICK KAZMER

The government promised to provide millions of Americans with better health care earlier this month when the reform bill passed in Washington, D.C.
But lawmakers from at least eight states are making plans that contradict recent national measures. They plan to make welfare recipients complete random drug testing. On the surface the idea seems reasonable. After all, we don’t want junkies wasting tax dollars. But some civil liberty groups are saying the move will discourage people from seeking financial aid and make already desperate situations worse, according to The Associated Press. The plan would cause more people to go hungry and further burden a health care system that lawmakers are trying so hard to fix.
Just because a randomly selected welfare recipient tests positive for drugs doesn’t mean the federal funding is completely wasted. Even drug addicts have children.  So eliminating food stamps in many poverty stricken families — drugs or not — will likely mean the end of three square meals a day for a lot of kids.
If the crutch is kicked out from under the arm of the growing number of needy people in America, things could get ugly. Druggies wasting Uncle Sam’s money will be a small problem compared with hundreds of thousands of starving people who are willing to do whatever it takes to eat. It’s the same reason the government continues to extend unemployment benefits. Many politicians know that desperate citizens can cause a lot of trouble.
The welfare system isn’t perfect. But lawmakers should be creating jobs rather than wrenching more money out of systems that aid the weakened populace.
(City Editor Rick Kazmer can be reached at rickk@dailyamerican.com.)

(From the Daily American Debate available in the Daily American on Tuesdays)

By  RICK KAZMER

As soon as President Obama signs the health care bill, leaders from nearly a dozen states will file a lawsuit against the measure.
The lawsuit is foolish and so is anyone who thinks politicians (Republican or Democrat) opposed to health reform are doing what’s best for the nation.
The House on Sunday voted 219-212 in approval of Obama’s $940 billion reform plan. That’s a lot of money the country seemingly doesn’t have. But light pockets have seldom kept the government from spending money on endeavors that are far less beneficial to the average American.
During the last seven years for example more than $712 billion has been spent on war in the Middle East. Maybe the war effort has improved life for the average Iraqi. It has definitely added to America’s debt — and left more than 4,300 U.S. soldiers dead. Sure, the 32 million uninsured Americans can take comfort in knowing Iraqis can participate in a working democracy. But the sentiment will quickly fade as they forgo another medical procedure because it is too expensive.
Does America have a duty to help foreign nations? Yes. The government also has a duty to serve its own people. And health care reform will provide a lot of uninsured Americans  relief.
Pennsylvania will likely join the group of states with leaders who voice strong opposition to a plan designed to protect health, something that seems to fall in line with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Health is necessary to have opportunity to fulfill those rights.
Of the more recent government actions — including the bank bailout and war plans — health care reform seems to be the only measure designed for the people.
Maybe that’s why there is such strong opposition from many politicians.
(City Editor Rick Kazmer can be reached at rickk@dailyamerican.com)