No the free market cost was not $6000.00 that was the negotiated price between the insurance company and the hospital. This is done all the time. In the auto industry for example - if you do not have insurance to pay for a new bumper it would cost say $2000.00 but if you have insurance it only cost $1200.00 that is because the insurance company has negotiated with the different repair shops for a lower cost so long as the ins. co. steer business towards the shops that have signed up with them. The free market allows this type of negotiation to happen. The free market also lets an individual company, hospital doctor whatever set their own price - that is the free market. What I was talking about is also a function of the free market - being able to buy your insurance from whatever company you like no matter where you live.

The hospital would not ruin your credit so long as you set up a payment plan for them and paid your bill on time and in good faith - it would be like any other bill.

The cost are actually jacked up not because of insurance companies but because of people who have no insurance, who set up payment plans and then do not pay and because of the government and their ridiculous price controls in regards to medicaid and medicare as well as their unfair regulations. It is unfair to make is sound as though only the insurance companies and the hospitals are corrupt and out to get someone.

Don't just red their writings learn about them especially the signers of the Declaration - some of the stories are heartbreaking and yet not one of them went back on their pledge. They are men of honor and need to be looke dup to.

Here is an idea how about taking down the barriers. I read a paper a young college guy did that I twitter with - he advocated the idea of letting people cross state lines to obtain insurance. For example a policy in NJ cost 5K that same policy in KY cost 1K. By eliminating barriers free market competition takes over thus lowering the cost for everyone. This way government does not have to be involved in providing or paying for healthcare. You figures are pretty dead on - in TX where I live part of the year they spend about 12 billion dollars on services for illegal aliens. Think how much money we would have in the system or our pockets if we did not have to foot the bill for people whether illegal or not. Let the free market take over.

This is a very good post and a very good idea - it is out of these ideas and counter ideas that we will find the right solution. My solution - enforce the Constitution and it's amendments. Enforce our laws, teach subjects in school correctly and not to a particular ideology. Quit being babies and acting like we are entitled to the world. take responsibility for your actions. Get involved and speak up not matter how politically incorrect it may be because not only do our future generations deserve the opportunity to live in freedom but the men who signed the Declaration and fought in the Revolution deserved to be honored.

We have organized a Tea Party in Ashland OH and have already heard from the local radio station WMAN. We will be having our tea party from 12 noon to 1pm at Fin Feather and Fur parking lot on US HWY 250 in Ashland OH near the 250/71 interchange. Anyone interested in attending can contact me via my web page at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wesurroundthemashla... or dlgreenwood1@aol.com

My husband and I have been doing the same thing - we even have a wood burning stove that you could cook on. I have learned how to can and dry foods - although right now I use an electric dryer. When I was in Malone NY this past summer visiting the Wilder Farm, I picked up a little House cookbook that teaches the old way of cooking and I have tried many a recipe out of it. I don't have a huge plot of land but I have a friend who has offered some of his land for me to grow a large garden. When we help each other out through our own generosity we will prosper.

Since 9-11 my husband and I have talked about a financial collapse and the possibility of a severe uprising in this country. I never thought the anger of the American people would bubble up so quickly with a new President. But then again we have Barak Obama who is doing everything that the American people do not want him to do. This economy will not bottom out this year or next year. What will happen is that we will go into a severe Depression which in turn could cause chaos because of the "give me" society that has sprung up over the last 20+ years. It is sad to see this country and its' people have to go down this road. However it is a road we must travel if we are to get our country back. Obama will be a one term President - I am confident enough to say this. Democrats will probably be thrown out in 2010 but we have to be careful that we don't elect Republicans just because they are not Democrats. We have to vet our new candidates and make sure they understand that we employee them they do not employ us. Those candidates must follow the principles of the Constitution - limited government and freedom for it's citizens.
If I sound a little nutty it is because I am tired - so tired that at times I just want to quit and say so what but I don't because if I did then Obama and his ilk would win. I cannot let that happen.
Come visit me at my blog www.gopexiles.com