Government Expansion

Sitting in class today, I got to thinking. We were talking about Swift's argument in "A Modest Proposal", and the current debate on expanded health care for the poor young people in America. With mention of Bush shooting down the idea of expanding our health care system and that doing so would be unnecessary expansion of the government, and also that such programs are unnecessary because these people can just pay for their own health insurance. Generally the Democrats are associated with an expanded government, one leaning towards socialism in providing health care are other civil services. What I find ironic is, that under the leadership from a majority Republicans over the past several decades, is that our government has expanded into all reaches of daily life, a strange thing, because the Republican party was founded in part to allow the responsible citizen to live their life without unnecessary interference from the government.

The many branches in the government, from our courts to individual agencies and coalitions are always expanding. One of our most recent creations, the Department of Homeland Security, was created in the wake of 9-11 to help prevent terrorist attacks here in the US. Am I the only one who finds it ironic that we will spend billions of tax dollars to help prevent attacks that might kill thousands, but do not have a health care system in place to save millions when they need it? My logic may be off, but I do not see how. Yes, universal health care may not offer optimal medical treatment for all, but I'd say it is better than nothing at all. You must remember, that those who like to be pampered will continue to do so, and will not settle for our "free" system. There is always the option of going to a private party. So what am I missing?