One of the big debates of the upcoming election is socialized medicine, or "free health care for all." On the surface, this sounds like an amazing and wonderful thing. No more expensive medicine to buy at the pharmacy? No more worrying about how you will pay that $2,500 deductible if you do happen to get a major illness, if you're even lucky enough to have insurance.

Does it sound too good to be true? That's because it probably is. Our government's economy is a train wreck at the moment. We're trillions and trillions of dollars in debt, to countries that aren't even really our friends. Any day know one of those loan sharks may come and try to break our legs if we don't pay them back, with interest.

Are we in debt because Americans are paying high medical costs? I don't think so. The very idea of free health care sounds like a wonderful fairy tale. But, as your momma probably told you a few years back, nothing is really free. Someone is going to pay for it, and like most things in this country the funds will come from the pockets of those of us who are hard working, middle class folks.

Taxes already take a huge chunk of our pay checks each week, and unlike the very rich we're left to try to manage with what we have left.

Anyone who has watched the documentary "sicko" knows that there are broken aspects of our healthcare system. I'm not denying that. But, when was the last time the government butted into to an issue and really made a difference without causing a catastrophe?

You think it's hard dealing with your insurance company? Just imagine all the red tape we'll get if the government takes over. Will I be able to pick my doctor? Will my doctor even still be there because he can't afford to take a huge pay cut to work for the government? Will some bureaucrat with a list decide which medical procedure I "really need?" Will I have to wait six months to have a surgery I need?

Ask most conservatives, especially the "old timers," and they will tell you that socialized medicine is just plain old-fashioned communism.

Communism or not, the last thing I want is worse health care than Americans are already receiving with a price tag that will take more money out of my pockets. We need to find a way to balance the black hole of a budget we have right now.

Maybe someone will prove me wrong, and in this instance I hope so.