Opinion> Bill Oreilly> Socializing With Socialism

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Socializing with Socialism

No question that the chaos in Iraq has emboldened the far left in America. They now have some momentum and are on the march not only over the war, but also about introducing a bit of socialism into mainstream America.

Socialism is loosely defined as government distribution of services and goods. In the wish fulfillment catalog of the far left, that means the feds would, among other things, run the health care industry, control corporate behavior and profits, and provide significant entitlements to those Americans deemed to need them.

Since the federal government is even having trouble issuing passports to the folks this summer, I am not real optimistic about the feds making sure my health is top notch or instituting any other massive program. Call me crazy.

Right now the point man for socialized medicine is Michael Moore, whose new movie says Cuba is a great place for medical treatment. Unless, of course, you dissent from Fidel. Then you might not have to worry about medical treatment because you could be dead.

In the making of his movie, Moore took his cameras to Cuba but, alas, failed to mention that, according to The World Health Organization, the health system in the USA is better than in Fidel's socialist paradise. I'm sure Moore's oversight was accidental.

But far-left propaganda aside, national health care paid for by the taxpayers will be a big issue in the next presidential election. And it may get done. According to a recent Pew Research Center study, 69 percent of Americans believe the government should care for those who can't take care of themselves.

Many in the survey believe health care is a basic human right.

OK, but isn't nutritious food a basic human right as well? How about decent housing? And a dignified retirement for the elderly? And child care for working parents? The "rights" list is endless.

The statistics show that 15 percent of Americans lack medical insurance, and some of those simply would rather buy a flat-screen TV than spend money on insuring their health. It is certainly true that medical costs are very high in this country and, I believe, there should be federal oversight of insurance companies to make sure Americans get what they pay for and are not dropped when they become ill. Also, there should be safety nets for citizens who simply are too poor to pay for medical care.

But the notion of the federal government as a nanny state is a frightening one. This isn't Sweden with nine million people. America, with 300 million citizens, is the most powerful nation on earth because of competition and individual achievement, not because of a benevolent and intrusive federal bureaucracy.

And if you don't believe that, take a tour of your nearest federally run veterans hospital. Walk the halls and look around. And by all means, sample the Jell-O while you're there. Or better yet, wrap up the Jell-O and send it to Michael Moore. He needs a dose of reality.

Veteran TV news anchor Bill O'Reilly is host of the Fox News show "The O'Reilly Factor" and author of the book "Culture Warrior." To find out more about Bill O'Reilly, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com. This column originates on the Web site www.billoreilly.com.