Let's move from religion to insurance. I think insurance is a good idea; a lot of people give a little money every so often to someone who will then pay for the disasters that strike a few of them. The model is that the someone or company invests that money so that it grows and makes them a profit along with the premiums. It should work if the company has enough subscribers and a disaster doesn't strike a bunch of subscribers at once.
However, this model has been shown to be particularly susceptible to greed. Let's just use health care as an example. Originally, health insurance was affordable and often provided for workers, and their families. But, doctors were greedy and raised their fees since the patient wasn't paying, it was the insurance company. Patients were greedy and started suing their physicians because it wasn't the physician, it was the insurance company. Insurance companies were greedy and raised the premiums. It's a vicious cycle, and it seems to occur every time insurance companies broaden their field of coverage. When the markets are doing well, and these company investments give them huge profits, the insurance companies don't lower premiums; but, when the markets do badly or are stagnant, they certainly raise premiums. And, when there is a disaster and they actually have to pay their customers, they scream bloody murder and raise the premiums. They don't pay legitimate claims without a struggle and often a legal battle.
To be fair, one should note that there are people who try to file false claims. Greed is not limited to the companies.
So, one would think some regulation would be in order. Well, there is some regulation; but, the insurance companies have lobbyists so the regulations help the companies, not the consumer. This is a service industry? It serves to fill the pockets of the management of the insurance companies.
Remember when you could go to the dentist or buy your prescriptions without much concern? Enter insurance, and funny things like copay.
The solution, as I see it, is that the industry should be regulated heavily. Management costs must be contained, investments should be monitored, standards set for paying claims, and reasonable return established. Otherwise, someone needs to come up with an alternative that gives the consumer a real choice, not just a choice from among a group of greedy companies.
Now, you have tolerated my rant against insurance companies as they now operate, and you are wondering what this has to do with politics. Kos posted a diary earlier wondering why dems are not taking up health care more actively, and it occurred to me that insurance is one of the things Congress is going to have to deal with, and one thing citizens are already dealing with and screaming about.