On The Pipe

Time to nationalize health care and make it free

This came out of a survey by William Mercer that went out to 3,400 employers. Of those, 545 did not currently offer health insurance.

The reason?

43% of those employers without health coverage said they couldn't afford it. And 59% of those without coverage said they would be willing to spend no more than $50 per employee a month for it.

And while they are at it, how about serving up new BMW's for everyone at $50 per month or a home mortgage I don't have to pay back?

The data suggest, Mercer concludes, that it could be very difficult to get small-business owners to support state or federal initiatives, like Barack Obama's health-care proposal, that would mandate that many small employers buy health insurance for their workers

Employers who are forced to buy health insurance for their employees have options.

Pass the increased cost on to the consumer in the form of higher prices.

Reduced pay for their employees.

Lay off employees.

Decisions, decisions.

Many angels maintain a low profile. If you don't, then you subject yourself to all kind of people with crazy ideas. A good place for investing leads is from your local community bank. Establish a relationship with them so that you can mull over their loan rejects."

Angels = angel investors who are willing to spot money to a new venture or expansion in expectation of a high return on their investment.

Here is a wake up call.

1. Organized angel groups DID act like [venture capitalists] too much -- they were chasing unrealistic return expectations, looking for a 30% return on every investment within a couple years. Yes, that's a great model, but [it's] not going to happen most of the time.

2. They want something unique, patentable, leverageable, and with skyrocketing revenue."

About these folks looking for a free ride for health care (or health insurance) . . . any idea what they are smoking?

For more on this topic, see "Shifting the Blame".