Let's "Opt Out" To Victory

The travesty of ObamaCare has so discouraged me that I can't often post about it.  I'm proud of the House Republicans and wholeheartedly support their legislative efforts to kill the law with death by a thousand cuts.  At the end of the day, however, most of us believe it will take a new President to repeal this Orwellian monstrosity by ripping out its roots and casting it into the lake of fire, so that efforts at meaningful reform that empowers patients and their doctors can take shape.

It was in this context that I've been reflecting on how a catchy turn of phrase can make a profound impact on an idea's success in the marketplace of ideas.  Examples abound, such as "affirmative action" instead of "race-based preferences," or "investment in our children," instead of "pouring good money after bad down a rat hole of overpaid, incompetent, unmotivated teachers."  "Reform" is another useful noun that can mean anything, as in "tax reform" that lowers marginal rates and eliminates the double taxation of the death tax, versus "tax reform" that raises marginal rates, punishes entrepreneurs and investors, and generally incentivizes people to hide money under their mattress.  The same word, but two completely opposing meanings.

I suggest we who oppose ObamaCare down here in the trenches begin to call for allowing individual states to "opt out" of ObamaCare.  The term "opt out" is catchy and conveys clearly our goal, but with a positive connotation that suggests "freedom" and "choice" to citizens.  It lends itself to a number of slogans, such as "Just opt out!" or "Opt Out Now," and it can even be used as a stand alone motto.

The value of a catchy phrase, composed of two or three three letter words, that clearly communicates our values and goals cannot be overestimated.  Opting out is consistent with America's historic federalist principles, and ought to appeal to moderates and fence-sitters and others who might oppose outright federal appeal.

I envision a coordinated grass roots effort among roughly the same red and purple states which are participating in legal challenges to ObamaCare, which is more than half of the Union.  Existing conservative infrastructure would promote the idea publicly and pressure the individual states to pass "opt out" laws.  In turn this would generate further federal pressure against ObamaCare, and in fact the Opt Out movement might be viewed by President Obama as a face-saving compromise as he positions himself for his 2012 re-election race.  I dare even hope that federal legislation allowing for an Opt Out option might be perceived as reasonable enough to pass the Senate and avoid an Obama veto.

Granted, Opt Out does not by itself nullify all the damage done by ObamaCare, but it is an achievable goal in 2011 or 2012, and as policy would boost a number of favorable precedents, not least the broadening of the concept of federalism and state sovereignty.  Granted as well, Opt Out requires action at both federal level and in each state, but in accomplishing each legislative victory another nail is driven into the heart of the concept of centralized health care rationing.  No one said this would be easy, but with hard work I'm convinced we can achieve victory.

By all means let's press on toward the goal of repeal, but let's open another battle front against the forces of statism and stagnation with a new grassroots movement to Opt Out!  Far from diluting our efforts, Opt Out will strengthen our cause by adding new volunteers, persuading more voters, and encouraging those of us in the trenches with achievable victories in the short-term.  Conservative leaders, tea party activists, Republican officials, are you listening?  We the people are crying out for leadership on this issue.