Three Most Important Questions
In Just a Thought, March 17th, 2010
What are the most important questions we should asked concerning any public policy?
Before any of the legal details are hammered out, before the “legislative language” is developed, we should answer three common sense questions. If we cannot form a consensus on these three issues, we should not proceed.
What is the underlying principle driving the discussion. In the healthcare debate, the basic question seems to be “Does everyone have a right to healthcare?”
Then we must ask, “Does the Constitution give Congress the authority to proceed?” Rarely is this considered on Capitol Hill. In the case of healthcare, “Does Congress have the authority to force every American to purchase health insurance?”
If the principle is compelling and the authority exists, the third question is, “What can we afford?” and build the legislation accordingly.
The problem is, Congress refuses to accept any spending restrains. Don’t you wish your household budget worked like that?
