The Myopicity of One Party Rule

Myopicity (I just coined that, pronounce it my-oh-PE-siti if you like) meaning “prone to a narrow-minded view”. This in an effort to succinctly describe Georgia’s State government: self-serving Republican wannabe capitalists of the highest order.  If there is no money to be made in a real estate deal, no resort trip in the cards, no patronage for a family member to be had or no path to higher office, members of our state government are just not interested.

Consider Governor Deal’s reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (PPACA).  His actual response could just have easily been a spit-take from a Saturday Night Live skit, or a “what the what?” from Liz Lemon.

Question: What will the State of Georgia do about expanding Medicaid roles?
Deal: We don’t know yet; well have to see what happens in November.
Question: Will the State of Georgia operate its own insurance exchange?
Deal: We don’t know yet; well have to see what happens in November.

What does this reveal if not that the Government of Georgia has been operating under the assumption that the PPACA would be over turned by the Supremes? Nothing else that I can discern, certainly nothing pro-active. Perhaps hubris would be a better description of this attitude.

If Georgia does not agree to expand its Medicaid roles, Georgians who pay taxes to the Federal Government will be subsidizing this program in other states. Not here though (too much Big Government?). If Georgia does not create a State Health Insurance Exchange, the Federal Government will take care of it (not enough Big Government?).

Here’s what’s going to happen in November Governor, President Obama will win a second term by a score of 308-226. Even the staunchest critic (i.e. Mitt Romney) believes that are many good parts to the PPACA. Why not do what’s best for the citizens of Georgia sooner rather than later.

Vermont and Oregon are going to seek an exemption for the PPACA because they are moving to a Universal Single Payer System for their people. Let us not allow the politicians in the State House seek an exemption just because there’s nothing in it for them.