(…steps onto his virtual soap-box)

I attempted to actually read the “Health Reform” bill, as it existed at the time, this weekend.

I am a citizen of the United States of America. I have supported healthcare reform. I support a public option. I must be a socialist, if that makes it easier for you. (I don’t have any problems with that label.)

I did not read the 2,000+ pages of the bill, but all that I read was very disappointing – and, I felt, extremely misleading. Nevermind the fact that the bill I was reading was originally, or perhaps still is, named something to do with helping veterans get housing loans (?) and commentators had to remind me constantly it was what is called a, “Legislative Vehicle”. I’m assured this is business as usual.

So? Yes, more people will receive healthcare because of this bill. As far as I understand it, this bill makes it, among other things, illegal for health insurance companies to disqualify people based on preexisting conditions. Also, as I understand it, people without insurance will be able to get some, with government money, with some insurance company. Where’s that money come from? Tax dollars.

So, that’s tough, huh? I thought I said I wanted health care reform? I thought I said I wanted people that didn’t have health insurance to have health insurance? So, I want that but I don’t want to pay for it? Not exactly.

Short answer: fuck it. For now, people that may not have had coverage before, will. That’s good. The problem is, I have no faith in the privately owned healthcare industry. There’s no accountability. They’ve already proved on a grand scale the focus is not to provide services needed to those in need, but to make money. They aren’t dishonest about it, either. They are, after all, a business. Soon, with mandated clients.

I think this bill is a true testament to just how screwed up things are… how ir-represented we are… what has real power. [The Insurance Companies'] money. My congress, My senate, My executive: what a disappointment.

This bill will pass, I am now certain. And, with it, we will get our healthcare “reform”. And, these companies will now be guaranteed payment and profit, and continue to do business as usual.

I guess if anything things are a little clearer to me. What I really think, or wanted, I mean.

healthcare shouldn’t be a business.

What is less clear, now, though, is what we can or should do next.

For now, I’ll just hope that I am very, very wrong.

It seems so simple.

Imagine this:  On your left, you can help someone. On your right, hurt. What is the moral thing to do? What if you aren’t the one doing this, but it’s some other entity you’re providing the resources to. Like the government. What is an appropriate proportion of public funding to be allocated between ensuring the health of ourselves (healthcare), and “defending,” or harming others?

Where is your sense of community? Where has your sense for social responsibility gone, America?

I am “fortunate” enough to have healthcare. Most of my friends aren’t… many of my family neighbors… neighbors. I would much rather my hard earned tax dollars go toward ensuring your health and well being — even if you smoke, overeat, etc. — than go toward complete absurdity like the war on drugs, or the department of homeland security.

I am but a single star among a wonderous sky.

I am a citizen of the United States of America, and I support a public option.