When I first heard the phrase “Healthcare Reform” used in earnest, I thought, “At last, someone is really thinking. This will raise standards in the US.”
Unfortunately, my idea of Healthcare Reform is nothing like what the politicians think when they say those same two words.
I was thinking “lower costs,” “no health-caused bankruptcies,” “better control over bad doctors,” “control of malpractice suits,” “no ridiculous lawsuits where only the lawyers win,” “nobody refused care.” I even thought there might be a tie-in to immigration reform, to send illegals back where they came from.
The politicians, on the other hand, think “how can I reward my supporters,” “how can I get more campaign funds,” “how can I get more votes,” “how can I leverage this to my advantage and disadvantage my opponent,” “how can I benefit,” “how can I make it look like I’m doing something,” “what’s my excuse for not reading the bill,” “how much pork can I add.”
It seems that a lot of people, democrats and republicans alike, understand that anytime the politicians stick their fingers or noses into something, a mess usually results.
I’ve recently watched some town hall videos, where Americans voiced their opinions and the politicians didn’t have an answer. I expected they would go away, get answers and come back, ready for a debate. But that isn’t the way they operate. Because they didn’t win that argument, their answer is to hide from their constituents, blaming their poor showing on “organized opposition,” and vowing not to show their faces until another massive bill is written, not read, and passed.
In healthcare, President Obama acts as a Democrat Senator, pointing fingers, backing his team, blasting opponents, rather than being inclusive, listening to concerns and showing leadership.
I have no expectation that this will end well.
