$$$ > People: And Two Other Problematic Equations for Health Care in America
--
- $$$ > People. America’s Republican leaders have made it clear: our nation’s most important asset is not our people, it’s money. After relentless bashing of the Affordable Care Act (which was entirely political, as they had no want to improve it, only to eradicate it), we now sit with this question: Is healthcare a right? It seems to be in these 29 industrialized nations listed below. America First? More like America Last.
2. Insured = winners. This is the classic, “I don’t want to pay for anyone else! I earned my money! Those losers need to pull themselves up from the boot straps.” It’s the flawed argument of “I’m okay, and I’ll stay okay.” Ahh, the warped thinking of the invincible privileged. The boot strap argument is the most heinous. In a wealthy society (like America’s) the government (using taxes) can afford to give the poor and struggling a baseline that allows them the chance to thrive. Instead, the nation’s policies ghettoize the bejesus out of people, while many of the haves look away from “the losers” in disgust.
3. Ideas < Shouting. So how do the Republicans convince their base to cheer them on while 24 million people lose health care? 1. Shout louder. 2. Deceive supporters into believing a repeal won’t effect them. 3. Blame the other team. 4. Play the race card (crying foul? The party is 89% white and they call themselves the “Grand Old Party” — so don’t be dim). By obsessively calling the ACA “Obamacare” they’re using propaganda against their own people, because they’ll look like idea-less idiots if they don’t repeal (instead of improve) the ACA legislation. Many of whom love the ACA but hate Obamacare. Nice.
