Tom Brokaw recently asked our two presidential candidates if they think health care is a privilege or a right.
My friend, John McCain, responded that health care is a responsibility. WRONG! (Didn't answer the question in fear of losing votes!)
My hero, Barack Obama, responded that indeed health care is a right. RIGHT!
I believe that everyone is entitled to a proper health care plan. An ignorant girl that I know from high school argued with me about this topic. She told me that only children are entitled to health care because they can't help the situation they are in. Apparently, this girl needs to have a loved one get a serious disease in order for her to understand the importance of health care.
As one of the greatest countries in the world (besides Germany, of course), I believe that we owe our citizens some kind of a health care plan. Despite what Ms. Ignorant says, children are not the only people who cannot help their situation. No one asks for bad health. Sure, some people have health problems due to their own poor life habits, but others are plagued with disease that simply came with the gene pool. Either way, every American deserves proper health care.
We're the last standing westernized country to hang on to third-world beliefs. Canada and most of Europe apparently got the memo that health care is a right, not a privilege. Even Cuba somehow managed to muster up a bit of decency to treat their people to this right.
I'm not even asking for socialized health care, I just want our politicians and leaders to admit that health care is a right and that they are willing to fight to give this right to every American.
10.09.2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
Some people up the street hosted a "meet-the-candidates" night last night, attended by the candidates for state legislature (heavy hitters, I know), where that question was asked. In classic form, the Democratic candidate said health care was a right, while the Republican candidate said it was a responsibility. Why is it a responsibility? Because "if someone goes to the emergency room and can't afford to pay, we're on the hook for that." So... you're saying you wouldn't deny anyone at least basic health care based on ability (or inability) to afford it? Er, isn't that what makes something a right? Couldn't get him to clarify that one. Big surprise.
Wait a minute. So you're telling me that you're not satisfied with America's 37th place health care ranking by the World Health Organization? Come one, guys ... we did, afterall, beat out Slovenia (38th), Tunisia (52nd), and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (74th). Well, then again, we did place behind Colombia (22nd), Cyprus (24th), and Costa Rica (36th), as well as every other industrialized nation on earth. (And don't tell the Francophobes but those darned French placed first).
Health care reform is actually one of the first things that swayed me to a more progressive worldview. Thanks for the post.
This. Post. Is. Awesome.
Wow, those stats are incredible. Have you guys seen Michael Moore's "Sicko"? I'm not usually his biggest fan, but this film is amazing.
yeah, thanks for this post! you know how close to home this is for us. how have i still not seen "sicko"?? my aunt recommended it to me ages ago...
Mmmm... maybe a "Sicko" night sometime this weekend or next week?
the answer is a resounding "yes."
Post a Comment