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Opting Out Is In

Guest post by: Michael Hume

Article Overview: Today, I think opting out is a good idea, given what the global economy and our governments have in mind for us.

Opting Out Is In

It's Actually A Long-Standing American Tradition Several U.S. states are filing lawsuits or contemplating legislation aimed at allowing those states' citizens to "opt out" of at least some portions of Obamacare, the monstrous federal takeover of the American health care system. Personally, I think the best overall opt-out would be to repeal the ugly law and replace it with real reform. Something that makes much-needed improvements while generally leaving intact the greatest medical system in the history of the world. But it remains to be seen how all of the political jockeying will turn out.

Meanwhile, last Wednesday was "National Opt-Out Day," the day some protestors wanted all U.S. air travelers to opt out of the naked-photo body scanners installed in many airports and choose, instead, the "grope" pat-down offered by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA). Perhaps realizing the travel they would slow would be their own, not too many people ended up lodging that protest... but "National Opt-Out Day" sure had a ring to it.

Why?

Because Americans love options. They love to know that, if things go badly, or even if improvements can be made, they can opt out.

Not sure I'm right? Consider this: how, when they were making money at all, did car companies make money on U.S. consumers? That's right: options. What's the one offensive play that made gridiron football so popular and fun to watch? The option, of course. And options have always been one of America's favorite investments.

America has a long tradition of opting out. I was reflecting on that today, which turns out to be my birthday. Why? Because I was born in Oklahoma City. You may not realize the connection, so here it is. Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma. But it didn't start out that way. When Oklahoma was still a territory, the capital was Guthrie; but a group of citizens basically went up to Guthrie and stole the official territorial charters and other key paperwork, bringing it back down to OKC and basically opting Guthrie out of its status as the capital.

But that was in character... because before it was a U.S. territory, Oklahoma was known as "Indian Territory." If you studied any history, you may remember that the federal government, having chased the Native Americans away from most of their ancestral homes, had relocated them to the area now known as Oklahoma and promised, by treaty, that they could have that land "forever." But of course, by "Land Rush Day" (April 22, 1889 - and no, my birthday was not before that, so I actually had to learn that in history class), the feds had decided to opt out of that treaty and allow white people to settle in Indian Territory.

But that was in character, because you may remember other history lessons in which a group of English business people took the risky venture of sending people and supplies over the scary ocean to start colonies in a wild place known as "America." The colonists (the ones who survived, anyway) were happy with this arrangement until the British government decided to embark on a wild tax-and-spend spree (sound familiar?), casting the global economy into a frenzy and burdening the colonists with more taxes than they felt happy about paying. So they ended up opting out of Great Britain.

So no wonder opting out is in my blood - I was born in an opted-out capital of an opted-out state in an opted-out nation!

Today, I think opting out is a good idea, given what the global economy and our governments have in mind for us. Opt out of the rat race and start your own home business. Opt out of the global economic train wreck and get smart about how you can build and keep wealth. Opt out of the national trend toward obesity and physical weakness... you were born to be healthy and vital!

My wife thought it would be nice to have a big party for my birthday tonight, since this particular birthday is, as one of my friends put it, "a round number." But I didn't want all that fuss.

I opted out.

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Article Tags: government takeover, health wealth and happiness, inspirational leadership, personal responsibility



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