I've been pleased to find that it's easy for me to tell my representatives how I feel about things. I just go to http://www.senate.gov/ and http://www.house.gov/ and look up my representatives by state. I can then send out an email expressing my opinion.
Then I wait for responses. I desire responses that are thoughtful and show me that my representative actually has an opinion on the subject. They may disagree with me but I want to know they've thought about it and that they want to hear my voice.
I am in South Dakota and I've recently sent messages to my representatives about the confirmation of Judge Sotomayor (I'm still opposed) and about healthcare reform. So here are my results:
John Thune: I voted for you and you keep voting the way I would vote. Obviously I like that. You opposed the confirmation of Sotomayor and you have provided well-thought responses to my emails. Thank you Senator Thune for listening and for caring enough about what you do to have your own opinion and to value mine.
Tim Johnson: I didn't vote for you and never will. I have unpopular opinions regarding your health and fitness for congressional duty. I recently received a well-written letter from you regarding your position on health are reform. An email would have been better (and cheaper) but I appreciate the response. In your letter you said, "We have a moral obligation to fix the problems that plague health care in America . . . ." I disagree with that. Healthcare is a privilege, not a right. Perhaps we've believed healthcare is a right for too long to understand that concept anymore. So when I couldn't afford health insurance, I just went without. Those results are mine to live with and if it was important enough to me to make sure I had it, I'd find a way to get the resources to pay for it. By the way, I have health insurance and that insurance is cheaper today than it was 9 years ago. I accomplished that because I have a choice in who my insurance provider is and I took the time to find a plan that suits my needs. So, in my view, I am not dealing with the "skyrocketing cost of health insurance." Now, consider the current hospital system. Certainly the majority, if not all, Americans have access to a non-profit hospital. These hospitals typically do a fine job of finding a way for writing off medical expenses or finding alternative funding for those who need there services. The more the government becomes involved, the less the American people do. Donations will decrease and more of the burden will be placed upon the government. Costs will go up as well as problems with the system.
You wrote in your letter, "While the wealthiest Americans receive generous tax breaks, the number of average citizens who cannot obtain access to basic medical services and struggle to pay health insurance costs continues to grow." First of all, this is another way of saying, "Let's make the wealthy pay more to cover the costs of those less fortunate." That's redistribution of wealth and that's socialism. We are a democracy, for now. Second, that statement does not take into account that the wealthiest Americans are employing the less fortunate Americans and, in a great many cases, are offering health insurance to their employees in ways that already absorb much, if not all, of that cost.
You also wrote in your letter, "There has been a great deal of misinformation swelling around reform, lately, and I want to be clear in stating this is not a 'government takeover' of our health care system, nor a means of rationing care." First, President Obama has consistently talked about universal health care and most of the talk from the plans being put forward say this is just that, a government takeover of our health care system. You can say it isn't but I still call a spade a spade. Second, this reform may not see immediate rationing of care but it has an almost certain potential of reaching that state within a number of years. You have to consider what other politicians will do with this in the future as we open the door to ideas that offer a greater devaluing of life than we already have. Just listen to the ideas of Rom Emmanuel and see where his ideas are taking us.
Recent news reports say we now have a $1.3 Trillion deficit in the last 10 months. You mention in your letter that Obama has already created a $694 billion reserve fund for health care. Perhaps we would be better off applying that towards the deficit. I can't carry a deficit in my business and I don't think my government should be allowed to either.
Your letter was silent on the issue of abortion in the health care debate. The AP has confirmed that current health care reform options on the table absorb the cost of abortion. I am significantly displeased with the fact that my tax dollars already get sent to facilitate this terrible injustice all over the world. You've made your position on this issue very clear over the years and I sincerely pray for a change of heart in you that will help you to see this travesty for what it is. Regardless, I should never be forced to pay for that which I disagree with on such a passionate scale. In over 95% of abortion cases it is nothing more than an elective procedure. In that sense it is no different than a face-lift. In a moral sense, it is something far far worse. I DONT WANT TO PAY FOR SOMEONE ELSES KILLING OF AN INNOCENT CHILD!
All disagreements aside, I wish to state that I appreciate a much longer letter in response to this issue. Although it's well-written, it is still nothing more than the party line on this issue. I'd like to hear about where you may disagree with the president and your colleagues in Congress. Talk about what you see that we reall need to do to fix health care. Be inciteful and not just another outlet for the party voice. That voice represents very little, if any, of my own beliefs.
You also voted in favor of Sotomayor and your response to that issue was a short form letter that shows me you don't have an opinion of your own, rather just the party line. Please prove me wrong about that last statement. I want to know that you care about my voice and not just the party voice that shouts from somewhere other than South Dakota.
Stephanie Herseth: I didn't vote for you and I disagree with you often. But, your responses to me on these two issues show that you have thought about your position. I respect that. I was even pleasantly surprised to find we were not that far apart on Healthcare Reform. Thank you for having your own voice, even if I disagree. It is important to me that you are a Blue Dog Democrat. Our country cannot survive with the size of deficits are taking on. Soon no one will be willing to lend us the money we need because the amount we are borrowing is unpayable. I have hope that conservative values with regards to fiscal responsibility will keep health care reform from becoming exactly what the majority of Americans do not want - universal and government-run and controlled.
Showing posts with label Healthcare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Healthcare. Show all posts
Friday, August 7, 2009
Health Care
I've been reading the news today and I see lots of talk about Town Hall meetings getting violent and I want to make a few observations and share my opinion on somethings.
First of all, violence is not the way for either side. Open and honest debate, without the fear of reprise, is the American way.
Second, lawmakers have to stop forcing this issue down the throats of the American people. Sane people resort to violence only if they feel their opinions are not being listened to and their lifestyle is in danger. So what we are seeing should be a message to Congress that America is not be, and may not ever be, ready for what they are hearing regarding Healthcare Reform from Congress. You cannot force something that a significant percentage of the country is against. I won't even say it's the majority, all though more recent polls suggest it is. Even if it's the minority, that minority has too much of a voice to just roll over and let it happen. So take the passion you see on this debate as a sign that the country is not ready for what you are attempting to do.
Third, now the rhetoric about passing partisan bills and blaming the oppositions for refusing to compromise is coming from our President. He has identified himself as cut from the cloth. Make no mistake, compromise is a two way street. What you are asking for is not compromise, it's capitulation. It's surrender. Don't kid yourself into thinking you're on the high road.
Finally, here's my opinion and, yes, I've shared it with all three of my state's representatives in the House and Senate. I will never be in favor of universal health care and especially health care run by the federal government. I think that Medicare and Medicaid are full of problems and I would like to see them fixed. I agree that we need our healthcare system reformed but I do not think government control is the answer. Government control is never the answer. Oversight is one thing, control is another. We cannot keep healthcare competitive and effective without the private sector being in charge. At the same time, it seems that the private sector cannot be trusted without oversight.
Now, the other problem is that there are too many Americans uninsured. That's what I keep hearing and it's probably true. The real questions is "why?" Is it a desire to take care of oneself without relying on others? Is it a lack of resources to pay for insurance? Is it young adults who see themselves as bullet-proof and not in need of insurance? Probably all these and many more. So the question should be this: Will universal government-run healthcare solve all these isues? Well, yes, if it's forced on people. But forcing something like this on the American people infringes on their basic freedoms. I may find that drinking a glass of grapefruit juice every day would improve my health and be, in general, good for me. But let's face it, even if I liked grapefruit juice I would rebel against it if someone came along and said I "had" to drink it. If I was threatened with jail for not following that order, I'd submit to the handcuffs first. That's not just part of the American spirit, it's part of the human spirit. Don't force health insurance on me. Even if it's perfect and actually performs far better than every other socialized system out there, I don't want it. I will not accept it. If it's my choice, my way, I'll accept it. And if I don't want it, then leave me to die if you must. Good healthcare in our country is not a right, it's a privilege. I'd hate not to have it, but it should never be taken for granted either.
The system isn't as bad as some make it out to be. It needs reform. It needs to be fixed. It needs oversight. Let's do that. Don't throw away what we already have in order to create something that is based on ego, misinformation, and pure politics. Take an honest look and fix the system, don't throw it all way.
First of all, violence is not the way for either side. Open and honest debate, without the fear of reprise, is the American way.
Second, lawmakers have to stop forcing this issue down the throats of the American people. Sane people resort to violence only if they feel their opinions are not being listened to and their lifestyle is in danger. So what we are seeing should be a message to Congress that America is not be, and may not ever be, ready for what they are hearing regarding Healthcare Reform from Congress. You cannot force something that a significant percentage of the country is against. I won't even say it's the majority, all though more recent polls suggest it is. Even if it's the minority, that minority has too much of a voice to just roll over and let it happen. So take the passion you see on this debate as a sign that the country is not ready for what you are attempting to do.
Third, now the rhetoric about passing partisan bills and blaming the oppositions for refusing to compromise is coming from our President. He has identified himself as cut from the cloth. Make no mistake, compromise is a two way street. What you are asking for is not compromise, it's capitulation. It's surrender. Don't kid yourself into thinking you're on the high road.
Finally, here's my opinion and, yes, I've shared it with all three of my state's representatives in the House and Senate. I will never be in favor of universal health care and especially health care run by the federal government. I think that Medicare and Medicaid are full of problems and I would like to see them fixed. I agree that we need our healthcare system reformed but I do not think government control is the answer. Government control is never the answer. Oversight is one thing, control is another. We cannot keep healthcare competitive and effective without the private sector being in charge. At the same time, it seems that the private sector cannot be trusted without oversight.
Now, the other problem is that there are too many Americans uninsured. That's what I keep hearing and it's probably true. The real questions is "why?" Is it a desire to take care of oneself without relying on others? Is it a lack of resources to pay for insurance? Is it young adults who see themselves as bullet-proof and not in need of insurance? Probably all these and many more. So the question should be this: Will universal government-run healthcare solve all these isues? Well, yes, if it's forced on people. But forcing something like this on the American people infringes on their basic freedoms. I may find that drinking a glass of grapefruit juice every day would improve my health and be, in general, good for me. But let's face it, even if I liked grapefruit juice I would rebel against it if someone came along and said I "had" to drink it. If I was threatened with jail for not following that order, I'd submit to the handcuffs first. That's not just part of the American spirit, it's part of the human spirit. Don't force health insurance on me. Even if it's perfect and actually performs far better than every other socialized system out there, I don't want it. I will not accept it. If it's my choice, my way, I'll accept it. And if I don't want it, then leave me to die if you must. Good healthcare in our country is not a right, it's a privilege. I'd hate not to have it, but it should never be taken for granted either.
The system isn't as bad as some make it out to be. It needs reform. It needs to be fixed. It needs oversight. Let's do that. Don't throw away what we already have in order to create something that is based on ego, misinformation, and pure politics. Take an honest look and fix the system, don't throw it all way.
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