We’ve all read the nightmare plans Hillary has for socializing our health care system. It’s a terrible idea and there are literally thousands of reasons why. We need to look no further than up north, to Canada, to see examples. In Britain, people are dying while waiting for life saving treatments and surgeries.

And now a few kind words about most recent model of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s health plan. Yes, you read that right. There are some good, even important features, about her “American Health Choices Plan.” That they are there means that Republican presidential candidates are going to have to do a lot better to compete against Hillary in the health-care department.

Many factors contribute to the “crisis” we have. All parties are guilty of making our system so expensive and really, out of control. No matter what the doomsdayers think and say, no matter what WE think and say, the system has to change. One thing: All these ideas coming from Hillary and Obama and the like are not at all about reforming health care. No no…these are all about reforming the paying for health care. Health care reform is an entirely different matter.

The GOP has handed this issue over to the Lemoncrats. Because we have not come up with a viable solution, that makes sense to everyone affected. A question I hear often: Is health care a right? No. But neither is food, clothing and shelter. Yet we cannot survive without them.

I have come to the conclusion that liberals are in control when it comes to any and all matters relating to health care. They have the upper hand and therefore they call the shots. The GOP has failed, quite miserably, to come up with something more attractive, that fits the needs of all classes of people. Until the GOP does this, we WILL not be winning any elections in the near future.

But much of that deconstruction is beside the point if the Republicans fail to come up with a bold health-care proposal of their own (a note to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: a PowerPoint presentation doesn’t qualify). Such a proposal should make health care affordable, convenient and continuous. The GOP is locked into an esoteric debate over tax credits and tax deductions no one except Kool-Aid drinkers care about. In the past, Republicans have always used a mix of credits and deductions to promote consumer choice and investment in housing, education and child care.

Being the Devils Advocate and daring to speak for the blue collar Republicans who don’t see any good ideas coming from our side of the street:

No one has to educate me in the disasters that Hillary Care will certainly bring. But I do need some education to a viable and sustainable alternative or option.

Mrs. Clinton asserts her plan will cost $110 billion a year. But that doesn’t count the $50 billion in SCHIP spending for families with incomes of up to $80,000 a year in Democratic congressional proposals. While she estimates that computerizing health records and adding an undefined menu of preventive care will generate $300 billion in savings, you first have to pay for them and the Congressional Budget Office rarely “scores” an expenditure as saving money. She buries the additional cost of forcing insurance companies to cover people who are buying insurance just to get a procedure paid for. That will drive up premiums and dump people into the waiting arms of government-run health plans.

Some questions the GOP should answer, with ideas and solutions that might turn the tide in our favor:

Do we really think opening up insurance portability to all states is an answer? Do we really think the system of insurance, itself, is a good thing? Why do we always support the huge profits these insurance companies make, vs. looking to see if there is a conflict of interest in this model? Are we aware of the costs of all the paperwork, red tape and other useless non medical wastes of money generated by the insurance companies?

Many say we must de-regulate the system and I agree…but not those who see the profit numbers. They have a point and it’s a huge one. Another sore point with insurance companies: This business of excluding coverage for pre-existing conditions for lengths of time. And adding high premiums to those who have “conditions”. Sooner or later every one of us will have some condition that renders us a risk. Life is a risk and so is living it.

I agree with charging higher premiums for those who chose to practice unhealthy habits. I agree with assigning a certain risk to those who work in certain industries as well- nurses would face a much higher premium due to the very high risk of back injury, for example. But desk bunnies and managers and others who sit all day are running a huge risk since they are so sedentary, which increases their odds for very serious and expensive health related problems as well that show up later in their lives and costs far more than a back injury. It’s not always as simple as it appears and often, those who rake up the costs of health care are those who snobbishly think they live the better healthier lifestyle.

At least one group of Republican lawmakers realize that the goal of policy-making is to advance ideas that increase opportunity instead of maintaining loyalty among ideological shock troops. Sens. Richard Burr, North Carolina Republican; Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican; Mel Martinez, Florida Republican; and Bob Corker, Tennessee Republican have developed the The Every American Insured Health Act. It take the tax subsidy for health insurance that now goes to corporations and give it individuals in the form of a tax credit.

Can the average American family afford to utilize the health savings accounts? A family of four? What about the nursing assistant who makes $10.00/hr and works full time? She who has two kids and no husband. If she manages to save a few thousand each year for the HSA, what will she have to cut out of her budget? What goes- the rent, food? Something will have to go in order for her to save. No matter how hard they paint a pretty picture for these HSA, they are not an option for everyone. The GOP needs to remember that. Health insurance is not usually a benefit for those who work in service sector jobs, or if it available, it’s at such a high rate very few can afford the premiums- which DO add up to pennies under half their income. How do we include these people?

Typically when we read about the low wage earners, we belittle their choices and tell them they have to reap what they sow…that if they want a better life, get more education and a better paying job. We basically tell them they are part of the problem and not part of the solution…it’s no wonder so many of this class of people follow the Democrats. And it’s no wonder we see so many illegals taking these jobs. We’re too damn snotty for our own good.

My idea of health care reform would be pretty shocking. And not at all popular with anyone from either side of the table. We won’t go there right now.

One thing the Lemoncrats have going for them, lock and barrel, is the unquestionable backing of just about every lower wage earning working class citizen. (Except me of course.) The GOP needs to do better with ideas on this very HOT issue. We have to do better than the Lemoncrats if we want to win elections…whether we like it or not, we have to include people who are caught up in the health care system and the problems it has created. We also have to show real life examples like, how the CNA who earns that 10.00/hr would manage under these GOP generated ideas. If we don’t do this, we lose. Plain and simple.

Thoughts? IDEAS?? SOLUTIONS??