Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Thoughts on Health Care Bill...
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...for what they are worth. I have not done a lot of research, and most of my information comes from NPR. I am also responding to comments I read on Facebook, many of which are from politically conservative Midwestern folks.
My primary thought is that the bill is not that big of a deal, at least in terms of health care. In general, it seems that the overall system remains largely the same. The main difference is that citizens are mandated to get coverage; insurance companies are mandated to provide coverage for everyone; and there are various changes (some bigger than others) in funding and laws to help make this possible.
I believe that the simple fact that this bill is aimed at providing more coverage, more assistance, and ultimately better life for more people means it is a good bill, and I support it. However, I also think a lot more could have been done, and I still think that overall, the U.S. health care system is far from the best.
I get the impression that, like most activity in D.C., the political stakes were actually the real issue. President Obama made promises in his campaign, the Democratic party has made health care a front line issue, and passing this bill is something that has been fought for but not achieved by many previous administrations. Therefore, if it did not pass, it would be a major loss for Democrats and a major win for Republicans. In my opinion, this is why conservatives have fought it so vehemently. Not really because of any factual changes the bill implements, but more because of what the bill itself represents politically.
I find the political and legislative process incredibly frustrating and sad. In the U.S., there is very little political action motivated simply by improving the situation for more people. Instead, there is always an underlying maneuvering, planning, and campaigning. It makes it difficult to trust the words of politicians or news reporters. More than anything, I am frustrated by such a severely polarized government, the greatest concern is re-election and not the good of the people of the country.
Furthermore, I am disturbed by the content and tenor of the health care debate. At least in my midwestern, conservative circles, I hear many un-truths, distortions, caricatures, and accusations. I have heard/read very little discussion of facts in regards to the greatest benefit for the most people. I believe our goal as Americans (and as Christians) should be to help the most people have the potential for peace, security, and life. However, more than discussions about whether or not this bill will achieve such a goal, I am hearing references to "the downfall of America," "socialization," "government takeover," etc. To my ears, these are not legitimate talking points but rather distractions, emotionally charged and misplaced. This health care bill is simply today's special on the what-t0-bitch-about menu.
I am concerned that this type of "debate" (which is not really a debate at all, but a self-centered yelling match) is damaging to our character as individuals, as a country, and does not bode well for our future. I do not care so much as to who is in leadership and what bills are passed, but rather that we are discussing, debating, and functioning as a healthy, tension-filled (in the good sense), democracy. As a country, we are working to "spread democracy" to countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, but if we are the best example of a functioning democracy, I don't know why other countries would adopt our political policies.
Finally, I have heard some Christians say that it is ultimately the Church's responsibility to care for the sick and poor, not the government. In my opinion, this is a cop out. As a Christian, if you say "it is the Church's responsibility," you should rephrase the statement to say, "It is MY responsibility." And if you really believe that, then get to work! There is certainly enough to go around. Regardless of what federal and state policies are in place, the Church in the form of everyday Christians in their everyday lives should always be working to provide a "cup of water" to the thirsty, "clothes" to the naked, "food" for the hungry, and "visiting those in prison."
...for what they are worth. I have not done a lot of research, and most of my information comes from NPR. I am also responding to comments I read on Facebook, many of which are from politically conservative Midwestern folks.
My primary thought is that the bill is not that big of a deal, at least in terms of health care. In general, it seems that the overall system remains largely the same. The main difference is that citizens are mandated to get coverage; insurance companies are mandated to provide coverage for everyone; and there are various changes (some bigger than others) in funding and laws to help make this possible.
I believe that the simple fact that this bill is aimed at providing more coverage, more assistance, and ultimately better life for more people means it is a good bill, and I support it. However, I also think a lot more could have been done, and I still think that overall, the U.S. health care system is far from the best.
I get the impression that, like most activity in D.C., the political stakes were actually the real issue. President Obama made promises in his campaign, the Democratic party has made health care a front line issue, and passing this bill is something that has been fought for but not achieved by many previous administrations. Therefore, if it did not pass, it would be a major loss for Democrats and a major win for Republicans. In my opinion, this is why conservatives have fought it so vehemently. Not really because of any factual changes the bill implements, but more because of what the bill itself represents politically.
I find the political and legislative process incredibly frustrating and sad. In the U.S., there is very little political action motivated simply by improving the situation for more people. Instead, there is always an underlying maneuvering, planning, and campaigning. It makes it difficult to trust the words of politicians or news reporters. More than anything, I am frustrated by such a severely polarized government, the greatest concern is re-election and not the good of the people of the country.
Furthermore, I am disturbed by the content and tenor of the health care debate. At least in my midwestern, conservative circles, I hear many un-truths, distortions, caricatures, and accusations. I have heard/read very little discussion of facts in regards to the greatest benefit for the most people. I believe our goal as Americans (and as Christians) should be to help the most people have the potential for peace, security, and life. However, more than discussions about whether or not this bill will achieve such a goal, I am hearing references to "the downfall of America," "socialization," "government takeover," etc. To my ears, these are not legitimate talking points but rather distractions, emotionally charged and misplaced. This health care bill is simply today's special on the what-t0-bitch-about menu.
I am concerned that this type of "debate" (which is not really a debate at all, but a self-centered yelling match) is damaging to our character as individuals, as a country, and does not bode well for our future. I do not care so much as to who is in leadership and what bills are passed, but rather that we are discussing, debating, and functioning as a healthy, tension-filled (in the good sense), democracy. As a country, we are working to "spread democracy" to countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, but if we are the best example of a functioning democracy, I don't know why other countries would adopt our political policies.
Finally, I have heard some Christians say that it is ultimately the Church's responsibility to care for the sick and poor, not the government. In my opinion, this is a cop out. As a Christian, if you say "it is the Church's responsibility," you should rephrase the statement to say, "It is MY responsibility." And if you really believe that, then get to work! There is certainly enough to go around. Regardless of what federal and state policies are in place, the Church in the form of everyday Christians in their everyday lives should always be working to provide a "cup of water" to the thirsty, "clothes" to the naked, "food" for the hungry, and "visiting those in prison."
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