I remember first hearing it as a freshman in my macroeconomics 100 level class in 1977. It was every bit as true in 1777 as it will be 100 years from now. Guns and butter. The economic trade off that every society faces.
Never has this choice been more stark than it is today. Here is the simple math. Over the last 10 years, our country has spent over $1 trillion dollars waging wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most people do not know the number and very few are concerned about it. Most experts think that over the next 10 years, we will spend another trillion in Afghanistan alone. Again, nothing but yawns.
But splattered all over the headlines are the various estimates of the cost of providing health care to a majority (not all) of Americans, ranging from $850 million to (gasp) $1 trillion dollars. These estimates are met with incredulity, anger, shouting and tea parties. The hue and cry rises to ear-deafening levels about the crushing debt that we are leaving for our progeny. All of a sudden, a trillion dollars is recognized for the immense amount of money that it is.
Which leaves me scratching my head. Our recent wars have been positioned to us by our leaders as protecting our way of life. We are told that the 911 hijackers found their legs in Iraq and Afghanistan. This, despite the fact that none of them hailed from Iraq or Afghanistan and that the majority (15/19) came from our trusted ally, Saudi Arabia. We were told that unless the terrorists are ferreted-out there, they will inevitably find their way here. Maybe so.
But why does this argument not apply to protecting the lives of our citizens here and now with affordable and accessible health care? Why is it a yawner to spend a trillion somewhere else, protecting us from what could be, yet a screamer to spend the same amount protecting us from what is already here?
Oh, that’s right. It’s that guns and butter thing again. So much for the butter…
Matt,
I started reading your postings last week and I must tell you that I have enjoyed them very much. I especially liked the comments about your dad. He was truly a great man. I believe you have many of his fine qualities. I agree with these comments you have articulated on health care. When faced with a medical crisis, people should not be put in a position that requires losing one’s home, one’s life savings or both.
Joe Morell