the double "thank you"

Just the other day I was getting a cup of coffee at work and I noticed something. The coffee maker we have in our office is quite old. It's probably dirty inside as nobody takes the effort to clean it. The pots are always empty as most people feel they are too busy to make a new pot. The cups are always running out, the stir sticks are running out, and the entire area is usually a mess. We have also recently switched to ground coffee, instead of beans, because not enough people were contributing their $0.10 into the fund. This is probably a common scene in offices around the country. This is Socialism. As a group of people we all agreed to contribute and keep the coffee flowing. This is supposed to make the system more efficient, as there are no profits. The problem is that people are selfish and lazy. Nobody takes care of the system because nobody owns it, so nobody really cares.

In our cafeteria, there is a coffee stand run by a local food service company. Yes, I have to pay more than $0.10 for a cup of coffee. Yes, part of what I pay is profit. Yes, part of this profit is going to improve the lifestyle of a millionaire. But, the coffee tastes better, I never have to make it, I don't have to keep the area clean, I have a variety of coffee choices, and generally a more pleasant experience. Also, jobs were actually created by opening the coffee stand. But the most beautiful part of all, it is voluntary. Nobody forces me to buy a more expensive cup of coffee. I choose to do so if I perceive a worthwhile value. This is why after I pay for my coffee, and the transaction is complete, we have the double "thank you". I thank her for the coffee and she thanks me for the money. It is voluntary, it makes lives better, and it improves the nation. This is Capitalism. We don't centrally agree on how to provide coffee to the office. Rather, one person takes the intiative and risk and begins providing coffee to us. If we like what he does, he will prosper and us with him.

Now, some people feel this model doesn't work for important social needs like Health Care, but I disagree. Only a few months ago, I was arguing for National health care. I've known close friends who were screwed over by insurance companies and still suffer the economic consequences. It is not fair. But I now feel strongly that government will not provide the answers. Just as with the coffee, a government-run, Socialist health care program will stifle innovation and competition. Prices will continue to increase, people will continue to be denied the health care they need, and on top of it all taxes will skyrocket.

It is rather easy to be sold on National health care. It is so tempting. But please, do not fall for the deception. Improvements in health care will be short term at best.

What the system really needs is less government involvement. Vote for Ron Paul in 2008, the only candidate serious about reducing our government's role in our lives.