Health Care Reform Debate

     I am a poet, not a political pundit, but I am completely frustrated by what is happening in America.

     I want to state, emphatically, that I am neither Democrat nor Republican, Conservative nor Liberal. I prefer to think for myself rather than permit some talking head to think for me.

     We are a nation of well educated and intelligent people but when it comes to politics we are, for the most part, willing to let others do our thinking. We choose a party then parrot the party line without any personal knowledge of the of the actual issue or bill we advocate. By doing this we permit the talking heads and politicians to run our country without informed input from "We the people".

     The perfect example of this  is the recently passed "stimulus package" which was pushed through congress without being read or understood by even one Senator or Congress-person.

     We are now contemplating a bill which will affect one-seventh of our country's economy, and which will affect the lives of each and every American citizen now and in the future, yet most of the arguments I hear are completely uneducated and uninformed. Most of the arguments I hear, from both viewpoints, are the usual parroting of party line talking points and the opinions of favored political commentators.

     On an issue of such importance to ourselves, our children, and their children, isn't this an issue that requires personal knowledge on the part of each and every American? If you don't have the time, or inclination, to actually read the healthcare reform bills your senators and representatives will be voting on in your bahalf, at least listen to both sides of the argument with an open mind. Formulate your opinion based on actual facts, not the opinions of others, who probably don't know much more than you do yourself. Stop permitting others to tell you how to think. Stop ridiculing those who oppose you and find out for yourself why they oppose your point of view. Become educated about what our government is doing and, after gathering the facts for yourself, voice your educated and informed opinion to those who are paid to represent us. They are in office to represent us, not whichever special interest group helped them get elected.

     It is time "We the People" take back control of our government!

Reviews

[Sean Allen]

As we witnessed the fall of comunism in the Soviet Uniun a few years ago, I remember saying that the next place that we would see it is in the United States. I was serious.

The things that can fix our health care problems are simple. I hppened to be in a hospital emergency room a few years ago and a woman was walking around complaining that the ambulance had brought her in 4 hours ago and no one had treated her yet. The sign outside said Emergency, it didn't say call an ambulance if you have a cold. The staff was obviously making her unnecessary visit uncomfortable because she was a "regular" at that emergency room. However if anyone had explained that she had no emergency she would probably have sued the hospital.

So put up signs defining what the emergency room is for... Mothers in labor, broken bones, bleeding, gunshot wounds, accident victims, etc. Far to many people are taking advantage of the system already.

Eliminate advertisements on television for prescription drugs. We got along fine without those ads for many many years. The dumbest thing in the world is the statement "Ask your doctor if Drug XYZ is right for you." When MJ asked his doctor if Propofol was right for him we all know that the Doctor knew it wasn't.

Stop the lawsuits and the wicked cost of malpractice insurance that causes many good doctors to quit the profession and keeps the cost of everyones insurance and medical bills too high to afford.

You may recal that when Sen. McCain wanted to suspend the campaign and go to Washington and work on the stimulus package everyone thought he was foolish. When he picked Sarah Palin as his running mate, they ridiculed her.

The truth is that no one cares and we are about to join the long list of lost civilizations. We don't want to take back our country, we want big screen televisions and SUV's, and we want our pills for things we don't even know exist.

The truth is that the great WWII generation, who is dying at the rate of 1,000 a day, gave us way too much and now all we want is more and more.

[Ellen Hammond]

Wonderful words of wisdom! I am Canadian, but have seen so much of which you speak here as well. It seems that both of our countries are filled with sheep who simply follow the leader without question, not thinking for themselves or seeking to be fully informed. Sadly, that mindset is also apparent in almost every aspect of life including religion. We were given brains for a reason, to USE them! Thanks for sharing this.

[LisetteCanWrite!]

There was alot of wisdom I found in this writing.. I am in Canada.. but we have similar issues here.. the truth is most people read what is in front of them.. do not do the time to research.. and so many do not even know their fundamental rights and freedoms .. not taught to do these things. Whenever there are changes.. I read beyond just the facts placed in front of me. People have to individually seek knowledge in any aspect in all things surrounding.. like healthcare.. schools.. old age pensions.. or anything being challenged or changed or newly incorporated by government.. "the people" ... have their own job to do.. and fewer today are up to that challenge for whatever reason.. working 2 jobs perhaps.. or just not having the resources or knowledge on "how to do it".. I think it's sad what our continent has become today! As for the parties that run in elections.. doesn't matter they're all the same.. make promises and break most.