Reader comments
Salt Lake Chamber makes the issue its top legislative priority for '08

Ah the joys of socialized medicine!

So now we are going to tell business what is profitable and what is not. We are going to tell them where to cut off risk. We are going to tell people what they have to buy. We are going to tell every person in Utah what they can afford. We are going to structure the entire health care system by government mandate.

Structured economies are wonderful. Today we call it structured economics. Do you know what they traditionally call it? Marxism. Kid you not.

So now the Salt Lake Chamber of commerce supports socialized medicine? Have they learned nothing from Mass? Gov Romney rolled out his structured health care plan, made promises about ending the uninsured, lowering costs, etc.

Results: Number of people applying for the free portion have more than doubled. Costs have more than tripled. Now they are beginning to cut back services. Facts are, people that were insured saw an opportunity to get it for "free" so they stopped buying and moved into the structured economy.

Gov Huntsman should stop telling Utah to eat cake. He has no touch with reality. And to think the Legislature is going along. Ug!

Why is the Chamber involved in all these government issues. Do they think they are now policy makers?
Why aren't they concentrating on helping their members instead?

Author Gabriel Kolko explained in his book he Triumph of Conservatism that the New Deal reforms of early 1900s were not so much a triumph of big government as a triumph of big businesses over small businesses.

Socialized medicine and the rationing of services that accompanies it ("contain costs") is corporate welfare.

Boss Huntsman promised "out of the box" thinking when he ran for governor, and all we're getting is a bigger box.

I am a small business owner with a current, significant health insurance situation. I beleive my cureent situation is representative of the type of problems other small business owners have. Who in the legislatrue can I speak with about this situation? Also, is there a contact person in the Chamber that might want to visit with me? Thank you.

The Chamber pushed for vouchers last year, now this.We already have 2 Econ Dev offices EDCUTAH & GOED. Shouldn't they be leading these issues. Every city, county and region has an Econ Dev group. So why is the chamber acting like it's Econ Dev. Isn't their mission to work with and support businesses in Salt Lake City? This is about power positioning.

Do something meaningful. Promote a healthy lifestyle by funding more trails, pet adoption, parks, recreation, and playgrounds. Invest in sports leagues for both men/boys and women/girls. Campaign to encourage people to adopt dogs so they will take them for walks and increase exercise. Give tax breaks for the purchase of recreation passes and gyms. Put fruit in vending machines. Stop expansions of McDonalds, BurgerKing and others that promote obesity. Get Coke and Pepsi out of the schools. Offer special discounts to ski resorts etc. for seniors. Do something that makes a difference for once!

The Stadium is in SANDY-THE CHAMBER IS SLC. Why are they involved? "taxes are being allocated for a Real Salt Lake stadium in Sandy,... the chamber approves of the deal." This is all about power, influence, personal agendas, and building a personal legacy.

The Women's Bus Ctr was removed from the Chamber for lack of funds, but there are funds available for all this activity? What's the message? They support a stadium in Sandy but not a science museum in SLC? It's time to send a message to the Chamber and get them back on track.

The SLChamber has their hands in too many pots and as a result are not making meaningful contributions any longer.

My husband is self employed and finds it difficult to afford health insurance. I can't think of a more important business issue than fixing our current system. Kudos to the Chamber of Commerce.

You want burecrates & politicians deciding what types of treatment you get? 'fixing' the current system may not be helping you! You need to watch this closely and get involved! These same people all thought vouchers would fix education too!

It is good to see that our government and local chamber are doing what they should in regard to health care- fixing it here before we get handed something from the federal government (No Child Left Behind, anyone??) It is good to see that the chamber of commerce is acting as it should- to support the business community as a whole.

I'm happy that political, business and other community leaders are addressing health care. We all know it is a huge problem. Let's just hope that we can find a way to take care of this a most important part of our quality of life.

Let's unify and do something good for Utah.