Friday, August 21, 2009

Auto vs. health insurance

One of the many problems conservatives have with the health care bill being debated is the government mandate that everyone have insurance.

Conservatives argue, rightly so, that is beyond government's intended reach.

So liberals came up with a "gotcha" question on this point. I've heard it a number of times, including last night at Joe Barton's town hall meeting.

I'm frankly surprised the answer apparently hasn't occurred to anyone who I've heard argue the point.

The question: "Since conservatives are so in favor of government-mandates for auto insurance, why do they have a problem with mandated health coverage?"

It's apples and oranges, people.

I understand 48 states have mandated auto insurance of some type. I'm not sure who requires what. But here in Texas, you must carry liability insurance, which covers damage to other people's property if you're at fault in an accident.

And no, I don't have a problem with that. You drive your car into the back of mine, you better have a way to pay for the damage.

Insuring your own personal health is a different matter entirely.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Yes to Michael Vick

Let's get this right up front. I'm no fan of Michael Vick. Never was, in fact.

While I don't know the man personally, an awful lot I've seen and read about him and his brother over the years places the two fairly high on my Shitty Human Being Scale.

His involvement with a dog-fighting ring and what he did to those animals is nothing short of despicable and certainly only solidified my opinion of him.

But should he be allowed to play in the NFL again?

Yes he should.

I understand the level of disgust and disdain expressed by dog-lovers and, more specifically, lovers of Pit Bulls. I just think their venom should not be directed at the NFL as much as it should be at those responsible for the length of Vick's prison sentence.

Point is, he served the time prescribed by the justice system. He wasn't merely suspended from football for two years. He was suspended from life as an incarcerated prisoner.

He also lost a contract worth more than $100 million. His endorsements, worth tens of millions more, vanished ... more than likely for good. His earning power will never be the same.

He also faces extremely restrictive terms in his reinstatement to the NFL. He will be, for as long as he's remotely associated with the league, under its microscope, and he will face immediate and painful repercussions for sidesteps at which the league would barely scoff if it were most any other player.

I have not heard, for example, of any other player in any other league whose personal finances are an open book to league officials. But the NFL is going to know when Vick buys much more than a pack of gum.

To those who still say that's not enough, that he should never be allowed to play football again, I ask this: Should all people who are found guilty of a crime and pay their "debt to society" by serving a prison sentence also be told they can no longer work in their chosen field?

In very extreme cases, such as convicted pedophiles working as camp counselors for 6-year-olds, yeah, I'll go with you there.

But the most common argument I hear in Vick's case is that he shouldn't be allowed to play football because he's so prominently in the public eye as a role model for kids.

I say bullcrap. For one thing, society needs to get its act together on this subject and stop putting athletes on such a pedestal.

Yes, there are some very good role models in the NFL, in the NBA, in major league baseball. There also is a number equal to that, if not more, of some very bad actors. Trust me on that. I've worked with and among them for much of my adult life.

So at what point on the Shitty Human Being Scale do we say, "you can't be part of this league, because kids watch you"?

Society will cheer on Sundays this fall for guys who have been "punished" for their involvement with drugs. Should our kids be watching them? Others seem to be prone to beating up their wives or girlfriends. How about them? We spend an awful lot of time now demonizing drinking and driving. Any idea how many pro athletes have gotten popped for doing that? Certainly, we should kick them out, too.

And don't even get me started on the bad characters a lot of these players surround themselves with.

My bottom line? You get rid of the bad role models in most any sports league, you're going to wind up with an awfully small league, if one at all.

Is what Vick did detestable? Sure. Should he have been punished more severely? I won't argue that point.

But he paid his debt as ruled in a court of law. And he'll continue to pay.

But now he'll also again play. Rightfully so.