Redistribution of Wealth?

This past legislative session our legislators kind-of mucked up the insurance system for public school employees. It was passed at the very last possible moment and without much time for legislators to read the bill. And there was definitely no time whatsoever for those affected, public school employees, to comment on the proposed compromise.

The law is complicated and the bill so poorly constructed that those in charge of writing the WAC's (administrative code) haven't been able to satisfactorily complete the codes. This has kept the school districts from being able to provide a clear picture of what the costs to the employees will be. There is one cost that has become clear...those individuals who only insure themselves will now have to pay a portion of their premiums. The law says that families will not pay more than 3x than the individual.

Oh how the wailing and knashing of teeth that has gone on because of that one item. Those who insure only themselves and choose a plan that doesn't go over the amount allotted from the state don't feel like they should have to pay more just to support those who have a family. Some of the arguments I have heard are:

• It's not fair
• I choose not to have children so why should I pay more?
• I've already spent 20 years paying the increased premiums when I had children at home, now it's my turn to suck off the system have some reduced costs.

But here is my take on this particular section of the new legislation...it is not that much different than socialism. The law takes money from those who have more (those who insure only themselves) and gives it to those who have less (families) all in the name of making things more equitable and fair. That sounds an awful bit like our current welfare system (and where our current president wants us to continue to languish) doesn't it? Take from those who have more (those who have worked incredibly hard to get where they are at) and give to those who have less (or perhaps choose not work because why work if the system will pay me not to).

This is probably not a very popular interpretation on the situation and maybe I'm wrong in my interpretation, but that is how I see it. I just wish I had been brave enough to share my thoughts about this today at the executive board meeting for our local teachers union--I'm a member of the executive board but definitely find myself in the minority of several political issues and it's hard to be brave when you are the only voice for that particular viewpoint.