Government aims to keep kids in a state of need

When talking about his 6 kids, I recall my dad saying, “I can’t wait until they’re all 20 years old and living in Montana.”  He was kidding…I think.  But the sentiment was a true one.  His wish was that we’d all grow into responsible self-sufficient adults.  Isn’t that what every parent wants?  What responsible parent wants a 40 year old unshaven man in sweat pants living in their basement bitching because his sheets weren’t cleaned and the Oreos are all gone?

Parents I suppose will always be the first social safety net for their kids.  Things go wrong.  Cars break down.  Roommates fall through. Jobs disappear.  When things of that nature happen, parents step up and provide the safety net to get their kids back on their feet.  Since Lex jr’s birth, I’ve always said I will not criticize anyone else’s parenting or kids until Lex jr is 20 years old and living in Montana.  No.  Wait.  Really, I’m not like my dad.  As Lex jr. is but 17 years old I know I’m going to regret writing this, but after about 3 months, the safety net becomes a hammock.

So what the hell is our government doing telling kids they can stay on their parent’s insurance until they are 26 years old?  And how much sense does it make doing something like that when you need those “kids” to sign up for Robertscare to make that giant mashed up mountain of bull excrement work?  WTF?  It makes no sense.  So Johnny can stay on mom and dad’s insurance or can go buy his own at an exchange.  Which do think Johnny is going to do.  Even if Johnny is self-sufficient he just might opt to pay a premium plus 10% to mom and dad to stay on their insurance.  That’s a win, win for Johnny, mom and dad but a big fat loss for Robertscare.

Yesterday Lex noted that the average business guy is about 10,000 times more savvy than anyone in Caligula D.C. when it comes to watching out for his own interest.  Today I expand that notion to the average high school drop out changing oil at the local Jiffy Lube.  OK, Johnny, you can pay an exorbitant premium to Robertscare to subsidize old man Potter’s knee replacement and colostomy supplies or you can pay the much, much cheaper penalty and not get insurance at all until you get sick.  After all, preexisting conditions are covered so you really don’t even need to pay a dime until you need it.  Or just pay mom and dad and stay on their plan until you’re 26.

Why in the world are parents and the government working against each other?  One is trying to prepare Johnny to leave the nest go forth and conquer the world.  The other is telling Johnny that it’s a cruel, cruel world out there Johnny.  You’d better just stay in the nest until we give the all clear notice.  Here’s free healthcare.  Here’s a free cell phone.  Here’s some food stamps.  Here’s some tuition assistance.  Here’s some home heating assistance.  Here’s free WiFi to do your blog – No.  Wait.  Here’s free WiFi to skype with your fellow basement dwellers.  That’s better.  Blogging is such a noble thing.  It requires real talent and skill to tap out 300-700 words of crap every day.  I doubt any basement dweller is up to the challenge.  Well, it’s time to head upstairs to get another cup of coffee.  See you tomorrow.