[Moneyguy1]

You are forgetting that many other countries underwrite some things that employers here include in their expense column. Health care is but one of these.

Doctor, if you can come up with new and exciting ways to pay for the military, police, fire, refuse collection, infrastructure maintenance and expansion and the myriad of other necessary functions that government at various levels must provide, I am certain that those supplying these services would be happy to hear.

Many foreign countries depend upon the US of A to maintain a defense umbrella over them, at our expense. If we, as a country, decided not to provide this service, we could reduce the defense budget but at our own peril. I am sure the Pentagon and the defense industry would really go along with THIS idea (sarcasim)

Government expands to fill the voiced and sometimes merely perceived wants of the public. Sometimes what is accomplished is useful, sometimes not. Sometimes divisions within the government are at cross purposes, but this happens mostly at the federal level since the locals cannot run the risk of alienating the public in perpetuity. I offer that local govt is far more responsive and efficient than federal or state. And, for the past three years or so, federal expense and complexity has grown at an alarming rate. Some say due to 9/11. But, all the elements for internal/external protection were there all along. Where has the additional money gone?

The problem of government size and the ability for this country to compete globally is a complex one. There is no magic pill. Provide national health insurance like some European countries. Depend on other countries to defend you. Tax at a higher rate for energy; reducing waste. All ideas, some not practical.