What's Wrong With Us?
If a criminal has a Constitutional right to a lawyer, why doesn't a sick person have a right to a doctor?
I was eighteen or nineteen years old when I first saw Roger & Me. Made a huge impact on my life and opinions regarding free trade and the role that big business and government play in our lives.
Since then, I've seen all of Michael Moore's movies and own all of his books. Even brought my kids to hear him speak and together, we all sang, "This Land is Your Land."
I've heard people call him names, question his motives, and denounce his films. Yet, because I know so much about him, I've never really understood the venom with which normal Americans attack him.
Fox News and other media, along with big business - that I get. He's threatening their hold on the minds of the masses. But no one I've ever spoken with personally can point to anything with any substance to invalidate his unique point of view.
I like Michael Moore. He is a patriot and uses his voice to speak for those who can't speak for themselves. I'm sure he is not perfect. However, that does not matter to me. What matters to me is that he is making the world a better place. Therefore, I'm a fan.
Yesterday, I watched SiCKO. Along with his other films, this should be required viewing.
The core of this film speaks to me - because it's in sync with the core of my own value system. I firmly believe, with everything in me, that those who are wealthy have a responsibility to care for those who are poor. Those who are healthy have a responsibility to care for those who are sick. The educated have a responsibility to care for those who are uneducated. And so on. And so forth.
And I'm not even a Christian. Go figure.
SiCKO speaks to this idea that we are all in it together. Universal health care - big fan. I was one of those people who, during Hillary's quest to care for all, held placards that said "Health care is a right, not a privilege." In return, I was seen as sort of a radical.
Now, universal health care is an idea whose time has come.
So, as with everything else, we, the people, must unite and work together to see it happen. There are many great solutions out there - from Great Britain, France, Canada to Cuba. Let's learn from them to make our health care system the best in the world.
More than anything, our lack of compassion is alarming. Blame HMOs or Washington if you must, really *we* are at fault. We are allowing substandard care to continue, for a variety of reasons, and ought to be ashamed of ourselves. Like everything else, if we shout loud enough, our elected officials would play along.
For most of us, a health care crisis could happen tomorrow. So let's start shouting today.
posted by kate @ 10:07 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
>>I firmly believe, with everything in me, that those who are wealthy have a responsibility to care for those who are poor. Those who are healthy have a responsibility to care for those who are sick. The educated have a responsibility to care for those who are uneducated. And so on. And so forth.<<
I completely agree. Speaking for many, many conservatives like myself I can honestly say that the overwhelming majority of them also agree. We just don't believe that the best way to tackle these issues is through expanding the role of the Federal gov't over our daily lives.
I also personaly find it interesting that virtually the same people who are now claiming they fear the gov't and, as described by them, "the new powers it has obtained through the Patriot Act and other legislation since 9/11," are the same people who would so willingly hand over their healthcare to that same gov't. There's no way in the world that anyone can't convince me that if the gov't is the one who's paying the bill that they aren't also going to have access to your medical records and any private conversations you would have with your doctor. They're paying, they're going to want to know what they're paying for, and they will make sure they get it. I have European friends who to a man tells me they are fully aware that anything that goes on in the doctor's office is sitting in their personal file at the National Health main office. They tell me if they have anything to speak about with a dioctor of a private nature they pay the price themselves and go to one of the private practices. I don't want that.
As for Moore, I find him to be a good capitalist. He's found a market that he can exploit and he knows how to take that to the bank. Kudos for him. Hey, why should Gore and Noam Chomsky be the only one's making good green off the fleecing?
Excellent Post!!
Every citizen of the United States should be ashamed to be a nation without universal health care. In regards to the inevitable tax increase, we are all entitled to free health care regardless of economic status. Those fortunate enough to have high-paying jobs should be happy to assist those without (everyone, on every tier of the pay scale is an important part of what keeps this country going). Furthermore, any “Christian” against universal health care… is not a true Christian (they are poseurs).
RW, the government does not care to read your medical report… you are not that important to them. Nor do they care what letters you send out (Post Office), what books you read (from the Library) or what television shows you watch (PBS). Remember that every government organization has employees that are there for a Paycheck. They are not there to spy on you or anyone else. They really don’t care.
Besides, the government already has access to your medical reports. Remember that paper you signed for the latest doctor visit, did you read the fine print? The government (and every health insurance company) already has access to your medical history, so your argument against universal health care is …well, outdated.
I commend Michael Moore for using his talent in the film industry to raise awareness on important issues. He has my highest respect for being a bold and talented director who creates for a purpose (rather than solely for profit).
>>RW, the government does not care to read your medical report… etc, etc... They are not there to spy on you or anyone else.<<
If that's the case, you need to tell that to a bunch of liberals who believe the gov't is listening to their phone calls.
You are nothing but a socialist. People need to take care of themselves and stop asking for handouts. No one gave me anything and I don't plan on give some lazy bum anything.
A socialist, huh? Wow. That hurt.
You should write political speeches with that wit and intellect. Seriously. I'm in awe.
I know some of the omitted facts in Sicko...Canadians wait alot longer that 15 minutes, Britain does have a two-tier system...but with regard to our country...
should not everyone get the medical care they need?
poor, rich, old, young...should that matter?
If it does, shame on you.
"No one gave me anything and I don't plan on give some lazy bum anything" - how angry and bitter you must be to make that statement. If only you knew just how & where your tax dollars are spent.
>>Britain does have a two-tier system<<
And if this country ever gets universal healthcare it will be multi-tiered. Basic coverage will be where you have a general practioner assigned to you, you'll wait however long it takes, and if you have to have an operation your recovery room will be a closet, and if you get the bottom bunk you'll get the pee dripping down from the people in the 3 bunks above you. BUT.... BUT, you cannot say you aren't covered. That's the "free" coverage in that you don't have to pay extra.
For an additional $XXX per month paid to gov't insurance you can upgrade to a better doctor and should you need an operation you get to share a room with 3 other people.
For an additional $XXX above that, you get an even better doctor that you get to choose and should you need an operation you get to share a room with 1 other person.
For an additional $XXX above that, you get the best doctors of your choice and you'd get your own private room.
But there's will likely be more teirs that just those, that's just for example.
But it'll definately be based on your willingness to pay more in order to obtain more, it's just at the basic level everyone will be covered if they do nothing at all extra. Hey, it's the American way!!
Also, if your doctor screws up and kills you in the operating table, there will be a cap placed on how much the beneficiaries can receive, probably like $1 million. I mean if the payouts on malpractice is going to be ponied up by the gov't, who will be the one also providing the doctors malpractice insurance, then that's my US tax dollars being shoveled out, so you need to cap what people can get.
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