by Jason Stotts
While states such as Massachusetts already have socialized medicine and states like California are trying to pass it, I’m encouraged to see that some states are taking a principled approach based on individual rights and are moving to prevent socialized healthcare from ever entering their states. The recent article in Business Week called “Va. Senate OKs Bill Against Health Reform Mandate“states that:
Five Democrats broke with their party Monday to endorse measures that would ban government health care mandates like the one being debated in Congress.
If approved by the GOP-controlled House, Virginia would be the second state behind Arizona to pass measures in defiance of the proposed federal legislation. Arizona last year approved a similar constitutional amendment, which will be on the ballot in November.
“I don’t think the government has any right telling people they have to buy health insurance,” said Senate Finance Committee chairman Charles J. Colgan, a Democrat and the chamber’s most senior member. “We talk about being a free country, let’s be free.”
I want to applaud Virginia for taking the initiative and standing up to President Obama and stating unequivocally that they will not allow their citizens to become victims of his socialized health care scheme. I only hope more states follow Arizona and Virginia in their principled stance for individual rights and freedom.