It’s really hard to argue against a national health care system. You can say all you want about bankrupting the nation, you can say all you want about government inefficiency, but it’s really hard to argue that people shouldn’t have health care. Now I understand what it must feel like when someone tries to argue with me about Iraq and I get lazy and turn it solely into an issue of genocide. It’s really hard to argue against me because I’ll just paint you as not caring about genocide. The nuance disappears. Likewise, I feel like I’m arguing that poor people should die. Arguing against a national health care system isn’t very palatable. Frankly, it’s a losing issue. When I really think about it, the question, “Why shouldn’t everyone have some minimum level of health care?” doesn’t have a satisfactory answer. So, I think we should — have a national health care system, that is.

Woah there, you may say, aren’t I abandoning my conservative principles? Hey, who says the issues have to line up this way? There’s no rule that says Democrats are for national health care and Republicans aren’t. I’m against boxing the party in on losing issues, and this surely is a winner for the Democrats.

My opinion, as a Republican, is that we should steal this issue from right out under the noses of the Democrats. How can I do this? Well, listen to me:

“We want health care for everyone, but we want to make sure it’s done in a fiscally responsible way. If the Democrats institute a plan for national health care, they will dramatically raise your taxes in order to pay for it. They will radically alter the system, bringing about all sorts of new problems. These new problems, in turn, require more money to identify and solve, which means… raising taxes again. The Democrats will give you a socialist plan for health care that will put everything in the hands of the government, which will result in inefficiency and the deterioration of our great medical institutions. To those who say a national health care will bankrupt America, you’re right, if you decide to go the route the Democrats wish to go. A socialist health care system will hurt doctors and hurt you. We want a moderate route that will leave everyone covered, but not radically alter our current system. Health care will not be provided by the government, but subsidized by the government. Everyone deserves health care, but only we will deliver it in a way that will not waste your tax dollars.”

Do you see what I’m doing there? The first rule of propaganda is: Define your enemy before he defines you. The health care issue isn’t at the forefront of things at this moment. We’ve got immigration, Iraq, and gas prices. Soon, though, this issue will grow. Gas prices got people angry because they were so high. The cost of health care is rising as well. Not only individuals, but businesses will press for government action as well. If the Republicans don’t act, they will be painted as the people who don’t care about your health, the ones who want poor people to get sick and die. With my way, the Democrats are painted as socialists who will raise your taxes, while Republicans will extend coverage to everyone without need of revolution. Whether this is a correct portrayal of Democrats has no meaning at this moment, since I am only concentrating on the issue of packaging. The portrayal is pointing to the Democratic Party leadership, and tries to bring swing voters, including centrist Democrats to vote for Republican candidates. It’s just a rhetorical exercise at this moment. Policy will come later.

And Republicans can court the corporate side: “Moreover, the rising cost of health care is hurting businesses. Instead of paying you better wages, they have to put more and more money into health care. We want a system that is friendly to capitalism.”

Believe me, businesses are starting to feel the pinch of rising health care costs. It is in their best interest to push this burden onto the government. Republicans can’t afford to lose their backing. On all fronts, this is a losing issue if Republicans continue their current course. I have offered a way out that remains true to core conservative principles.