Suppose the following idea was put to vote:  Confiscate the wealth of the top 1% of Americans and redistribute it by dividing it up equally among the remaining 99%.<p>Each of the 99% would get a check for about $500,000.00<p>Would it be in the best interest of the 99% to vote "yes" on such a proposal?<p>Only if you look at the short term outcome.  After a while, the economy would be seriously harmed, not just because others would not seek wealth if it could be confiscated like that, and also because in capitalism wealth flows to those who add value by helping others get what they want.<p>The healthcare reform debate is similar.  While in the short term health care reform will help people who can't afford expensive care, it will slow innovation (propelled by the profit motive) and will encourage people to engage in expensive (in terms of healthcare costs) lifestyle choices.