Yet we also want the government -- chiefly, the president -- to 'do more'" (Healey, 2008). The people rely on the president to "fix" things, when in reality; the people sometimes have to take matters into their own hands. If they want health care reform, they notify their representatives, create their own citizen lobbies, and notify their political parties to work harder on reform (and to work harder to work together, something the country desperately needs). Finally, we need health care reform because health care is one of the most expensive aspects of American life and government spending. Another author states, "We spend $2.5 trillion per year for healthcare, 17.5% of the gross domestic product. Under current trends, that will increase to 48% of GDP by 2050" (Tanner, 2009). Clearly, that type of spending is unsustainable. Health care reform could actually lower spending by capping insurance company costs, lowering drug costs, and making health care more affordable for everyone. Congress has worked hard on credit card reform and has created new laws that make the companies more responsible to their customers. They must do the same with health care reform, and make the insurance companies more responsible. Any health care plan must include laws that stop the practice of denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, and charging more for drugs in industrialized nations like the United States. Many drug companies charge exorbitant prices here in the U.S., while the exact same drugs sell for far less in other countries such as Europe and Canada. Congress needs to address this practice in health care reform, as well, and they need to work quickly.

In conclusion, America needs health care reform, and it needs it as quickly as possible. In recent years, Congress has been much more concerned with party politics and petty differences, rather than truly representing the American people. Both parties need to work together for the good of the country to develop a viable plan, rather than working...

"Healthcare: Is 'Mandatory Insurance' Unconstitutional?" September 18, 2009. http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10579 (accessed February 10, 2010).
Despite every statement within the Constitution, does the Supreme Court have the right to interpret, or even misinterpret laws at their discretion? Mr. Barnett certainly brings to light numerous rulings of the Supreme Court that were at best 'mistakes' that preceded further rulings to correct the problem. He brings to the forefront the question burning within each of our minds: Is a mandate on healthcare truly Constitutional?

Cannon, Michael F. "Perspectives on an Individual Mandate." October 17, 2008. http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9722 (accessed February 10, 2010).

"Mandate, Schmandate." With saucy appeal, Mr. Cannon defies and legitimizes what a proposed mandate on healthcare could do to our society. He depicts what is seen on a daily basis, how a lack of healthcare evokes pain, strain, and empathetic compassion towards those in need. He then clearly characterizes how a desperate and deprived people will, as history has shown, do whatever it takes, not only to survive, but to thrive.

Healy, Gene. "A President, Not a Savior." August 28, 2008. http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9615 (accessed February 10, 2010).

Written during the dawning of a new president, Mr. Healy expresses the hope within the eyes of Americans. He discusses the emphasis of leader-of-the-national-soul that has been aptly thrust upon the President. He denotes the outright idolatry that surrounds the presidency. With references dating back to our Founding Fathers, he shows the progression of the meaning of a leadership role in America.

Tanner, Michael D. "Not Enough Healthcare to Go Around." July 29, 2009. http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10393 (accessed February 19, 2010).