I keep hearing those folks gloating and pointing fingers over the troubles in rolling out what they deride as Obamacare, and I want to shout, “Where’s your health care plan – one that will provide basic coverage for the remaining two-fifths of the American public?”
There should be an embarrassing silence. Behind all their bluff, they have nothing, not even two aspirin and a glass of water. Just who would they have you phone in the morning, anyway?
They might say we can’t afford it, but that’s another way of saying our current system is outrageously overpriced and needs reform.
But then they say it’s just fine. (For them, maybe.)
But then they won’t even let us take a close look at another model, single-payer, like Canada’s. Thing is, every Canadian I’ve talked to loves it. And if it’s anything like the government-paid system my military surviving spouse mother-in-law has, my family would take it in a heartbeat.
The party-line critics of health care for all Americans have done everything they can to derail the rollout. They’ve kept a lot of the details up in the air and fought funding. No wonder there are screw-ups.
But remember this, it’s much better than anything they’ve offered.
We’re still waiting for their plan. And waiting. And waiting.
Maybe they’ll look in the mirror in the meantime and see where the real problem is.
Jnana's Red Barn 
Excellent! The ACA is of great import, a monumental effort long overdue. Being accomplished with no help is something I will not forget. I remain hopeful and grateful.
It’s clear to the entire first world — except almost all of our congressional representatives and senators and their constituents — that single-payer coverage is the way to go. These benighted but overwhelmingly numerous citizens may wish to note that no Medicare recipient is complaining about single-payer coverage. (Although we do complain about the increasing number of medical “providers” who refuse to take Medicare, because that’s an option that’s still open to them, which it would not be if the whole country went single-payer.)
Alas! It’s no good preaching to the converted! There are too few of us to matter at the ballot box.
I don’t think it’s too few at the ballot box, but rather too few who see through the smoke.
Still, preaching to the converted is good practice, especially when it reminds us we’re not alone.
Gee, now I’m wondering how it would sound if we all screamed at the same time.
I think we’re saying the same thing. I didn’t mean that too few people vote, but that too few people who vote see clearly (through the smoke). I do take back the “no good” though. I suppose preaching to the converted is better than not preaching at all.
I recognize the ACA is not perfect, but it gives new hope to people who have pre-existing conditions. I wonder… do the opponents of this act understand the difficulty (before this) that the chronically ill had in purchasing health insurance? And do they understand that this health insurance would not cover any expenses due to pre-existing conditions?
Jnana I respectfully disagree, however I should emphasize that I don’t say this in allegiance to Ted Cruz or any of those wackos. My opinion comes from a deep mistrust of both parties and their personal agendas. The ACA* is a power-grab, as well as an attempt to shift risk away from the government and onto the people. (mostly younger workers, the same ones who are now expected to pay for massively growing entitlements as the boomers retire). It’s a tax to everyone else. It’s also designed to fail, demonized insurance companies will take the blame. This will pave the way for our saviors in the federal government to swoop in with their single-payer option ala Canada. Only it won’t be like Canada’s, it will be infinitely worst. Do you think that they are doing a good job in Washington right now? Single-payer systems may work in some countries with more competent government, it will be just another catastrophe here.
That being said, I don’t want to pollute the comments section of your wonderful blog with any more of my drivel. So often things get ugly, and your blog is too nice for that. People who wish to write nasty things in response to my rant may email me. Or, I’ll expand on the reasons for my opinion over on my blog, people may attack me there. Then again the Friends have a way of working things out don’t they? Sincere regards,
Bill
Your argument is well taken. My point had more to do with the opposition being absent during the critical discussion, when some creative alternatives could have emerged, maybe along the lines of a voucher plan in education (which I’ve long favored, by the way).
In the meantime, in communities like ours, all of the health-care providers are quickly being bought up by a single organization, in our case the local hospital. I’m not sure that’s healthy in the long run, either.
OK, I’ve vented. And thanks for checking in.