John Edwards is right

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards wants to force Americans to get preventive health care. This is reasonable given that he also wants to greatly expand government provided health insurance.


If the government is paying for my health insurance then if I don't take good care of myself all taxpayers suffer. Thus, the government has an interest in forcing me to get preventive care.


In fact, the conservative party in the UK want to penalize citizens who don't take care of their health. Since the UK government pays for the health care of most citizens conservatives are correct to worry about people with unhealthy lifestyles imposing costs on others.


One of the greatest problems of government provided health care or government provided health insurance is that it gives politicians a legitimate interest in citizens' lifestyles. Liberty and universal health care don't well mix.