Those who know me are aware how much I abhor the perversion of our language by text-speak, especially after seeing it show up in senior papers I once graded. But, if ever I heard a WTF moment, it was when my darling wife came home this morning from tutoring to inform me that the Senate had voted against a public option—twice. “Twice!” was my indignant response, “Twice?!” My blood pressure surged, my already ruddy face bloomed a furious hue. My limbs trembled.
Nothing since the re-election of Bush had disturbed such a response from my dizzied brain. And even that was akin to watching a train slowly approaching a car stuck on a railroad crossing—you could see it coming. But this! This obvious corruption of what we so boldly call a democracy (even if by definition it is a democratic republic)? Where is that democratic spirit? And I don’t mean a partisan one. If a majority of Americans are in favor of a public option, if a majority of doctors want a public option (and at least they take an oath to put patients first), then why, oh why, do our congressmen strike it down. Beyond the foregone conclusion that their self interest is not at stake, seeing as how they get health care for life; it is their real self interest in the form of millions of dollars of lobbying from the industry that sways their pendulur minds.
Notice the word industry. Hospitals claim they “lose money” because of existing public programs. But if profit is money one hasn’t seen before, and profits are lower than previously (an inherent risk in a capitalist economy), there was no money “lost” simply less new money gained. This in turn begs the question: why do hospitals and insurance companies profit from human suffering. All insurance is, in essence, placing bets against yourself that you will befall misfortune, and then when you are right, the insurance company may pay out, but assuredly to your greater expense. Are we really in this 21st century still able to allow our health to be exhorted by faceless conglomerates of greed? If a mugger walks up to me and puts a gun to my head and demands my wallet, he is demanding money for my continued existence. How different in principle is the absurd cost of premiums and deductibles for simple visits or necessary procedures? Demanding money for my continued existence… people suffer and die due to the carnivorous appetite for profits. That time must pass to be read in history text by an insured generation.
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
I’m sure some of you are labeling me a socialist, as many do our good president. Well, you’re partly correct. But regardless of my ideologies, I’ll gladly pay for a service I need or want. But, I expect a reasonable price and a decent service. Health care is not a product, it is a right. Shame on those “blue dog” democrats who buy into the woes of insurance, hospital, and pharmaceutical concerns. Corporations don’t vote, citizens do. Yet even with a democratic president and and congressional majority, things stand still.
Are we truly half way to a fascist state? Because we’re already suffering from a corporatist economic ideology. The only insurance that can cover or prevent that suffering is sagaciously entrusted in our constitution and our God given rights. Stand up my fellow Americans, and demand what you work so hard for. Enamour yourself with the First Amendment and speak out on your own behalf.
If we don’t do it, if we don’t demand a fair deal, no one will listen to the one man working hardest for us.
