An Obamacare parable from Lulu

Lulu wrote an Obamacare parallel that I think you’ll enjoy:

A Jacket Parable

m_0355_light_gray_ziphoodieLet’s say you live in a mild climate and the vast majority of the time the only jacket you need is a plain grey zip up hoodie. So, every year you replace your worn out hoodie for a new one and you are happy. You get it from Sears and it costs about 20 bucks, totally within your budget and meeting your needs.

But there are some people in your community who have really elegant jackets, and then there are some who have no jacket at all, maybe just a vest, or they can borrow a hoodie when they feel cold. Your boss says he has a great idea so that everyone can get jackets. He says that there will be a few changes but that if you like the jacket you have you can keep it and if you like where you buy it, you can continue to go there. So, you agree.

Jacket with rhinestones and furBummer then when your boss says that actually you can’t get your hoodie anymore because it isn’t meeting your needs. You need to get a new jacket that is waterproof, UV protected, warm to -10 degrees Fahrenheit, with rhinestones on the back, a faux fur collar, and a zippable pocket for your cell phone. The cost for this required jacket is $125 and is available only from Neiman-Marcus.

But, “I don’t want all these features,” you cry. “I live in a benign climate. I don’t need a jacket this warm. Plus, I’m a dude. I don’t want the rhinestones or faux fur.” You are told that this is the law. Being forced to get features on your jacket that you don’t want will buy a jacket for other people. You are told you have to go on line and buy the jacket you don’t want. Your simple grey hoodie is confiscated.

Empty refrigeratorYou go on line and the system is down. You try again and again because you are losing your hoodie and will break the law if you have no jacket. You find out that the personal data you entered into the system isn’t protected.

Your boss tells you that you will love your new jacket and that you might not understand enough to realize that your hoodie isn’t a good enough jacket. Meanwhile you can’t buy groceries because your new jacket costs so much.

The End