Jul 15 2009
Health Care Reform
One of my favorite television shows is “The West Wing.” I love Sam, Toby, Josh, Leo, C.J., and of course President Bartlett. There are moments when the President has a great attitude of “I don’t take crap from anyone” and it leaves me with the feeling of awe and wonder. It makes me think why can’t our President behave that way in real life. Why can’t the President, as leader of the Democratic Party, march on up to the Hill and lay down the law for the reforms and bills he would like to pass? I guess that real life, unlike dramatic television, gives us limits and we can only do so much. But just once, oh just one, what I would like to see President Obama lay down that law to the Dems….
These thoughts cross my mind on a daily basis concerning Health Care Reform. A few weeks ago, I travelled with two busses to Washington D.C. for the Health Care for America Now rally. I heard polticians, labor leaders, and ordinary citizens speak to a crowd of thousands. It was a wonderful experience. Truly amazing. I then got to lobby in the Capitol Building and I am still recovering from that spectacular feeling. You know, the feeling that comes when you participate in something and know you are making just the slightest difference. For me that always comes in politics and I have never felt more proud to be an American than on that day when I actually had a chance to participate in the political process up close and personal.
What is the point of this particular blog entry? Well my point is that I believe in a firm Public Option on Health Care, and I don’t think we can have real reform without it. The time has come for change and that is what we elected Congress and President Obama to accomplish. If it doesn’t happen now, it never will. I had hope, but after some weeks have passed, I am seeing the President waver just a bit on the Public Option, wanting the bill to be bipartisan. But Republicans will never vote for his Health Care Reform, so the time has come to say screw bipartisanship. And I think he has reached that moment. It came today in a speech he gave, and I think more forcefullness is forthcoming.
Now don’t get me wrong, I think we should all work together and have consensus. I know this first hand from my academic and student poltical experiences. But there comes a time, and it is only every so often, where you have to draw a line and take a stand. You have to fight for what is right and even if you are in the minority, you fight with everything you have and sometimes you even end up winning because you gain people’s respect. I have had those moments, and trust me, they are delicious. They are rare, but are they good. This is what we need for Health Care. Enough is enough. Bipartisanship be damned, the majority of Americans, from recents polls, have said loud and clear that we need a viable Public Option. And if Republicans want to be the Party of No, then let them be that.
For me the issue is so simple. I think of young kids who are sick and have no health insurance because their parents have lost their jobs or just cannot afford it. Those kids end up dying and receive the lowest possible quality of care because of money. If I were in Congress, I would think about this and ask myself, do I want to contribute to one more day of young children dying needlessly due to HMO’s needing to turn a profit? Do I really want to be responsible for killing sick kids? Now this may seem oversimplified and a tad melodramatic, but I don’t care. The time for debate is over and we need real reform. Because this is the reality and if we need to put it in such simple terms, then so be it. If that is what gets quality affordable health insurance for all passed, then that is what must be done.
I still have hope that real change can happen. It has to happen because if not, then I feel we ended up with the same old type of politics: fancy rhetoric, empty campaign promises and no real change. I hope the President gets it done. I hope he tells the Senate Finance Committee the way things need to happen. And he must since the majority of us are telling everyone including Santa Claus that we want change and we want a Public Option. Get it done Washington, otherwise you will not be so lucky when your terms are up.
2 Responses to “Health Care Reform”
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“I still have hope that real change can happen. It has to happen because if not, then I feel we ended up with the same old type of politics: fancy rhetoric, empty campaign promises and no real change..”
I hate to tell you this, but that is politics. It is also happening now underneath Obama. Unfortunately, health care is not a right. Just as owning a house or having a job are not rights. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Health care does need to be reformed but not with this Obamacare bill. Why is everyone from the CBO to members of Obama’s party against it? 1)The cost and 2) no real plan on how to pay for it (well besides tax everyone..yep…100% of the American taxpayer).
The CBO chief stated today that the health care bill, as it stands, will greatly affect the economy…aka…make it worse!!! As a matter of fact, anything the government has touched ends up costing us trillions of dollars. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/16/AR2009071602242.html
Look at Medicaid/Medicare. Examples of government run health care that is only in the red by $36 trillion dollars. Do you buy their claim that they can keep health care costs down and can “actually pay for it by squeezing wasteful spending out of the current system” as Nancy Pelosi claims? (Note: the CBO said this was NOT TRUE) I don’t!
All I can do is judge the bill from collected material. The CBO is a non-partisan group…so I tend to believe them over anything a lying politican claims!
You speak of a “public option.” Do you know what the “public option” is? From what I’ve read, the “public option” is a government health insurance program just like Medicare. It is supposed to provide an alternative to private insurance and make it “competitive.”
As you know, the government doesn’t compete…it takes over (how is the mortgage lending business doing these days?).
Also, health care isn’t public; it’s personal and private. That is something those that want to depend on the government simply do not understand. If the government can give you health coverage, the government can deny coverage as well…and it will happen if this bill passes.
Enjoyed reading your perspective on the subject.
Very good post orbitgirl. I am really glad that there are others out there trying to make this happen. I envy you for your hands approach to this I wish my health would allow me to do the same. Unfortunately I don’t have long left in this time and place I will be moving on shortly. My reason for fighting so hard is not for me its too late for me I am fighting for those I will be leaving behind when I change. I understand that many are against this like scotty we have already bumped heads on this issue but I respect him for standing up amd fighting just as hard for what he thinks is right. That is what makes America great the ability to disagree without bloodshed and sometimes even coming to respect those on the otherside. It is like a good UFC fight or boxing match where both warriors stand toe to toe and fight their heart out unfortunately there will only be one winner. I hope the winner is best for us all. Very good post a true joy to read. Keep up the fight.