Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

Stand firm, Joe. The two health-care provisions that I oppose are (1) a "public option" and (2) an individual mandate. The first is socialism, the second totalitarianism. I'm not opposed to health-care reform per se, for that would imply that the existing system is perfect, and obviously it isn't. Note, however, that many of the problems with our current system are due to too much governmental intervention rather than too little. Among other things, I would create a national market for health insurance. That would go a long way toward reducing costs, for it would increase competition by health-insurance companies for customers. Look at the competition among automobile insurers. "Fifteen minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance." There should be a strong presumption in favor of market solutions to social problems.