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Many good points made. Our very high social net makes us consider the difficult questions that you pose.
Liberterianism always quickens the pulse of every red-blooded American - until the guy next door stops cutting his lawn and the junk cars now number three... "uh, hello mayors office, this is....." Democracy is difficult business, not for the weak of mind..
As for 2% of the population "paying" for health care of 56% of the population - I am not so sure I am on board with that. Simply by any standard of productivity, you do not have so few people generation so much wealth. We have an economic system that rewards business owners, professional and the like, but they do not make that money all by themselves.. And yes, we have a structural underclass that might not be adding much to the GDP - but I dont think it is all that big..
As to the important issue of the regulation of our behavior, that is far more likely than our society kicking out the plugs of the life support machines of those irresponsible among us.. Not providing a coverage because of smoking status or body mass index? Not going to happen, not with today's jury pool and voters..
It is that long and slippery slope - those who know better, have a better education and "care" more (I am NOT going to mention Hillary here) would love to regulate far more behavior than mere cigarettes. Beer is next, then booze. Just wait until the taxation-industrial complex gets a hold of GPS and speed cameras.. Fast food, beef, its all on the to-do list.. The problem is - it is a broad net they are casting. The heavyweight dining on MickyDees 14 times a week, has a whole set of different problems that the lightweight looking for a road trip snack.
But we ARE providing this universal entitlement (health care). Some may be getting better care than others, and it may be inefficiently provided, but it is there. Those without health insurance are not dying in the gutters.. Is the cost "TOO GREAT", I dont know. There are few checks on the costs of healthcare (or the march of science) and it will outstrip our economies ability to pay these bills one day.
So what do we do? Fight the good fight. Protect our economic rights as we do others. Hopefully peer pressure will kick in, fueled by an example of personal responsibility and moderation by others.. (Go for it Cramer!) Will joys be found outside of food, substances and a sedentary lifestyle..time will tell..
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