Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Forgive Me, Blogger, For I Have Sinned.
After realizing that I have a set space to complain about the world (and that it need not be neglected), I'll start updating my blog. Gimme a minute and I'll be back. :)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A Little Message About Health Care Reform
Right now, the new health care bill has just been signed and is only a few minutes old. In fact, I just got a text from President Obama announcing that "after a century of effort, health insurance reform becomes law". While I'm very interested to see how this law will be challenged in the upcoming weeks and months, overall, I'm happy someone did something.
So many people are up in arms over this issue, it's hard to find where your personal opinion lies. Well, here's mine: I'm for the bill. I'm for it because the law provides a stipulation preventing insurance companies from defining pre-existing conditions. I'm for it because I feel that insurance is a right, not a privelege. I'm for it because I fear those who couldn't afford it before this morning, even in the slightest, may never see a day where they can at least afford the medicine. And I'm for it most importantly, because it's getting everyone, conservative, liberal, independent, off their butts and getting involved in something that hits home. It's about damn time.
I'm still digging into overviews of the law, but I'm starting to understand it. I understand why it's getting some flack--and why several states, incuding mine are going to fight it. I'm okay with that. I WANT someone to challenge it, because I feel that as Americans, we're supposed to make sure our voice is heard. I want Republicans and Democrats or whoever else to say "I don't feel this represents us all". Isn't that what America is supposed to do: represent us all?
I'm not going to say that this law doesn't deserve criticism and opposition. But I'm glad it went through because at least now, we have a start at making something happen. I hope that those who plan to fight have some good ideas, that those who are backing it can listen and amend, and that we can at some point all feel like we're respresented equally. I don't know when it will happen exactly, but I hope this is the beginning of interaction for America.
My opinion doesn't make me a socialist. It doesn't make me a sadist or any other label someone wants to throw at me. My opinion is that of an American who recognizes that this issue affects everyone. As such, we will spend much of our lives expressing how we feel about this very issue. As Americans, we should stop mudslinging, name-calling, bickering, and acting like our moms didn't raise us right. We need to listen. We need to respect. And we need to ensure that in some way, we act as a country and address how our money pays for a hospital bed or a shot of penicillin. I'm holding my family accountable. I'm holding my friends accountable. I'm holding the liberal and conservative officials I elected accountable. And I will always hold my President accountable. You sounded the gun, President Obama. Hope you're prepared to fight, and fight for everyone--not just the people who voted you into office.
So many people are up in arms over this issue, it's hard to find where your personal opinion lies. Well, here's mine: I'm for the bill. I'm for it because the law provides a stipulation preventing insurance companies from defining pre-existing conditions. I'm for it because I feel that insurance is a right, not a privelege. I'm for it because I fear those who couldn't afford it before this morning, even in the slightest, may never see a day where they can at least afford the medicine. And I'm for it most importantly, because it's getting everyone, conservative, liberal, independent, off their butts and getting involved in something that hits home. It's about damn time.
After watching my father beat cancer and see billed envelopes stamped from the hospital roll in, I've seen the good and bad of insurance. After hearing my mother couldn't be covered or would have to be covered at a hefty price for being BORN with a pre-existing condition, I've watched her frustration grow with every denial letter. Thing is, what they went through is happening to the majority of other Americans, and it doesn't matter what side of the political coin they're on. And worse yet, there's that other number of citizens who can't afford anything at all. I'm sure those men, women, and families are just as hard working as any other, aren't evil, and they pay taxes just like the people complaining about paying more under this law. So, what do we do? Do we let them sit by and suffer? Do we say, "Oh, well, I don't think I should have to pay more money so Joe Blow and Betty Whatshername can afford to go to the doctor". Business as usual in health care needed a jolt.
We had to do SOMETHING.
I'm still digging into overviews of the law, but I'm starting to understand it. I understand why it's getting some flack--and why several states, incuding mine are going to fight it. I'm okay with that. I WANT someone to challenge it, because I feel that as Americans, we're supposed to make sure our voice is heard. I want Republicans and Democrats or whoever else to say "I don't feel this represents us all". Isn't that what America is supposed to do: represent us all?
I'm not going to say that this law doesn't deserve criticism and opposition. But I'm glad it went through because at least now, we have a start at making something happen. I hope that those who plan to fight have some good ideas, that those who are backing it can listen and amend, and that we can at some point all feel like we're respresented equally. I don't know when it will happen exactly, but I hope this is the beginning of interaction for America.
My opinion doesn't make me a socialist. It doesn't make me a sadist or any other label someone wants to throw at me. My opinion is that of an American who recognizes that this issue affects everyone. As such, we will spend much of our lives expressing how we feel about this very issue. As Americans, we should stop mudslinging, name-calling, bickering, and acting like our moms didn't raise us right. We need to listen. We need to respect. And we need to ensure that in some way, we act as a country and address how our money pays for a hospital bed or a shot of penicillin. I'm holding my family accountable. I'm holding my friends accountable. I'm holding the liberal and conservative officials I elected accountable. And I will always hold my President accountable. You sounded the gun, President Obama. Hope you're prepared to fight, and fight for everyone--not just the people who voted you into office.
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