Michael Moore's got a new movie coming out that's sure to polarize America once again, called Sicko, about America's healthcare system. Everyone's got a viewpoint on this one and it's usually a pretty charged argument. It seems like you're either on one side or the other. No middle ground. I'm putting my opinion out there, but I'm genuinely interested in what others think about this issue. Should you actually take the time to read this (all 5 of you), I want your feedback. I want to know what you think and why you feel that way.
Anyway, here's what I think about health care...
The way it should be is this: Yes, we need to have some form of socialized health care. Yeah, I said it. The fact is, there are way too many people out there who can't afford to pay $100 a month for insurance. When you're making $7.25 an hour, that's a good chunk of your check.
People who are against socialized health care always bring up two things: that the quality will be lower and that they don't want their money going to some pregnant crackhead who can't stop having babies/smoking crack. Something like that. And they're probably black, but they'll never say that part.
The thing is, you live in the richest nation in the world, hands down. What do you think will happen, that all hospitals will suddenly become condemned buildings with rusty tools from a back alley? Do you really think we'll have two-year waiting lists to see a doctor for emergency surgery? Secondly, when was the last time you EVER had control over where your tax money goes? Once the government takes it, it's not your money anymore! And thirdly, you don't have a choice in the matter! The money's getting took, regardless of what you want and it's going where it's going, regardless of what you want.
Hell, I don't like The President, but my tax money is helping pay him. I don't support the skirmish in Iraq, but my tax money is going towards it. You know, what? I've decided I don't want my money going there. I want to take back my $5 or 6 thousand from the $80 billion and put it towards education. I'm gonna march right up to the IRS and take my money back and put it where I want it.
That's the part where armed guards rush in and beat me into a coma.
What I'm saying is, everyone should have a minimum of health-care. You shouldn't have to decide what bill your not going to pay this month because you have to pay for coverage or medication. The sad reality is, a lot of people out there do this.
People act like the government has no obligation to take care of them, but they do. Their job is to protect you. Public officials are supposed to have the best interests of their constituents at heart, and if their constituents aren't getting themselves taken care of because they can't afford it, that's a problem. By the opposing logic, the government doesn't have to protect you from terrorists, either. But they do. So if they don't have to protect you from terrorists, or corporate greed (sometimes) or potholes or any other problem that the government does take care of...what the hell are you even paying taxes for? If every man is for himself, why do we have police? Why not just disband the police, give everyone their money back, and tell them, "go get a gun, you're own your own. Sorry."
Because it's fucking retarded, that's why.
Our country has reached a point that a lot of others haven't: We can actually provide for the less fortunate who live there. And the reality is, it's not always about hard work and pulling up your bootstraps or some other cliche like that. Sometimes, shit happens and someone needs to be there for the ones who fall through the cracks. Our government needs to protect those who can't protect themselves. They're always claiming to do it for some third-world country. Why not do it for actual taxpayers?
Also, no one's saying that we should get rid of private health care. Of course, we should have that. But everyone can't afford that option, so public health care should be there for the ones who can't. It's not like we can't afford it. If we can throw $80 billion at a pile of dirt and rocks in the Middle East, surely we can do this. If we can give $5 billion a year to Israel so they can shoot rockets at people who are mostly armed with rocks and plywood, surely we can do this.
"But we're doin' it for our freedom!" they scream.
Some people would like to be healthy enough to enjoy that freedom.
No comments:
Post a Comment