Huh, interesting. Well, how about this: let me off you a 2-for-1 deal. You get to strike 2 laws of your choice off the books, in exchange for 1 military invasion of your state. Federal laws, state laws, hell maybe you really don't like your hamlet's zoning regulations, whatever. Your choice. In exchange for... let's say, 10 years of Iraq-style military invasion & occupation (the US invasion of Iraq, I mean, not Iraq's invasion of Kuwait). We've been there for over 15, but 10 is a nice round number. 1-for-1 is a wash, sure, I get that, but 2-for-1 seems like a good deal. What 2 laws would you pick?
> Once it's proven, I bet many other states would adopt it as well. This extends beyond healthcare IMHO to almost every other facet of law.
Interesting—so you think that the objections to universal health care are that people don't think it'll work?
> Or do you mean something like "show them the results, and convince them it's a good idea"?
Good question, I think our disagreement may actually come down to how we view the definition of "force".
I did mean the former (military/police force). I think the latter is the best (and only moral) way to get things done (winning hearts and minds). But where we may differ is that I believe even democratic laws are force because they are ultimately enforced by police agencies at the barrel of a gun (or threat of imprisonment).
So I don't really see a philosophical difference in imposing universal healthcare at a federal level on a State (pick any conservative state for example) who doesn't want it, or invading another country militarily and forcing them to do it. Both result in the imprisonment or death of people who refuse to be assimilated.
That's why I argue for doing it at the lowest level possible, such as New York State or even better maybe NY City. If somebody wants to "opt out" they can move, which isn't a great solution, but it's certainly easier to move out of the city or state than to move out of the country.
Then at the same time we can evangelize for universal healthcare and demonstrate with our own state that it can work. Once it's proven, I bet many other states would adopt it as well. This extends beyond healthcare IMHO to almost every other facet of law.