Captain_Amazing:
In my understanding, I’d think they would say that if you were pushed around by your employer, you’re free to quit and find a better job, and if you’re poor, you’re free to use your skills and talents to improve your life, but you’re not free to refuse to pay taxes.
It works beautifully in theory, but not in practice.
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE54O4K120090526
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Countless workers in the United States are trapped in jobs they would like to leave because they cannot get health insurance elsewhere, calcifying innovation and mobility in the world’s largest economy.
Daunted by health-care costs, a would-be technology entrepreneur in Texas decides not to start her own business. A communications expert in Washington decides not to strike out on his own. And a freelance magazine editor in Brooklyn decides to take a less satisfying corporate job.
“I would rather be freelancing, no question,” said Jessica Tolliver, a former editor who now works in public relations. “I got my work done in less time, because once I finished what I had to do, the time was my own.”
Economists call this phenomenon “job lock,” and studies suggest that it keeps between 20 percent and 50 percent of workers from leaving their current jobs.
Because health insurance is tied to employment in the United States, workers who leave their jobs can see health bills skyrocket if they strike out on their own or take a position with a company that offers fewer benefits. Workers who would like to retire early stay on, unable to qualify for the government’s Medicare program until they turn 65.
And those who have existing health problems may not be able to get coverage at all.
Job lock is difficult to measure because many employees don’t like to advertise their unhappiness. But economists and small-business advocates say it takes an enormous toll on productivity.
SLOWING INNOVATION
“We can definitely say that it’s slowing down the rate of innovation,” said Tim Kane, an economist with the Kauffman Foundation which promoted entrepreneurship.
Yes, it has to be said again, the current health care in America makes sense only to a medieval feudal lord.
Even if the point is made that it was a historical accident that business are the ones offering heath care, the reality is that big businesses now know that heath care is a great way of putting a leash on their workers and putting artificial limits to the growth of small companies that have a hell of a time affording good talent.
It is that freedom to start or move to other companies that is despised by many big companies, especially heath care companies.