Listen To Rand Paul

One of the benefits of being an independent thinker is that I can agree with a man one day for one idea, and disagree another day over another idea.  One of the problems with being an independent thinker is that those in power really don’t like independence of thought.  They much prefer blind loyalty.

I’ve been around politics long enough to have watched groupie like robots jump to their feet every single time their rock star of a candidate or office holder walked into a room.  I’ve been the recipient of harsh stares and harsh words when I dared to challenge the ideas or statements of elected officials in my own party.  Believe me when I tell you, politics is an inhospitable environment for free thought.

All that said let me tell you why you need to listen to Rand Paul, and why you might find room to both cheer him and disagree with him from time to time.

This week, flanked by Senator Jim DeMint, Lindsey Graham, Richard Burr and Tom Coburn Senator Paul announced a “fix” for the Medicare program.  He has proposed replacing Medicare by putting all senior citizens under the same plan which covers Congress. I applaud him for a number of reasons.

First, for having the courage to tackle such a tough issue.  Second, I am inspired that his plan was not just focused on the economic realities that the plan will go insolvent pretty soon, but by his larger vision of how vitally important it is that we take care of our senior citizens.  And third, I like the idea that if it is good enough for Congress, it should be good enough for Grandma.

But I do disagree with the effect of the plan in some areas.  As they say, the devil is in the details.

The plan will not allow any choices.  Medicare will end and all Medicare seniors will be forced into this plan.  For a guy who I think stands for liberty and free choice, I find this little inconsistency to be slightly bothersome.

Second, I like the plans idea to “means test” to the extent that millionaires will not receive free federal health coverage and that those seniors still making over $100,000 per year will pay more out of pocket for their benefits than those on a fixed social security income.  But I don’t like what the plan does to the solvency of the system into which all of these new enrollees will be thrust.

It will immediately increase the cost of health care coverage for federal workers and throw a lot of new enrollees into a system not designed to handle it quite yet.

I also don’t like the fact that Rand’s plan will impose news costs on seniors which they can’t afford to pay now.  I think the argument that the plan will eventually fail anyway is not a reasonable excuse for hurting seniors now in the plan who are at their most vulnerable.

And while I am in favor of incrementally raising the age of eligibility to 70 over the next 20 years, and admittedly have not drilled down into the fine print of the legislation, I would hope that the benefits would not be put too far out of reach of those who need them earlier without some safety net in place.  Who pays for the coverage of 69 year olds who have been living on social security for four years?

I applaud Senator Paul for taking the bold step to tackle such a controversial issue.  I applaud him for standing up for senior citizens and I applaud him for the selfless recognition that if it’s good enough for Congress, it’s good enough for the American people.

But I would encourage you to listen carefully to what he says, read the bill in detail (I will) and do not fear either standing with or disagreeing with him on this bill, the details or any other matter.

The last thing we need is another politician who can’t stand constructive criticism, won’t tolerate different opinions or who uses the influence of his office to inspire dogmatism and blind loyalty.  For a guy who got a lot of support for being an independent thinker, you’d think he’d appreciate that in others.  I hope he will.

Read more at Blue Grass Bulletin