What I Think...

I've engaged in many health care debates over the past few weeks. I've learned a lot from listening to the differing opinions of others. I've learned that I am much more passionate about political things than I ever thought I would be and that I am not a know-it-all. I've learned that as much as I dislike him, insulting Glenn Beck isn't nice and gets me into trouble. I've learned that I can hold my ground and speak intelligently about the things I believe to be right and true.
I am a woman who has had an opportunity to experience life in two very different countries, under two very different governments, in the midst of people with very different mentalities and I think I have a lot to contribute to this debate.

The discussions have opened my eyes to understanding a little bit more about America...how her history is very much evident in her present. Canadian history is very different than that of our southern neighbours. We are a bilingual product of French and British ancestry, a melting pot of multi-culturalism. Canadians are proud to be so, but our patriotism is different. Most Canadians wouldn't think to shout, "CANADA IS THE BEST COUNTRY, EVER!" even if we feel that way. We love our country but we do so differently.

Outside looking in, American patriotism can sometimes be perceived as arrogant or ignorant but I am beginning to see that it is more than that. It is a product of a very real and present history, of having to fight for what you have, a victory cry over what the nation has overcome to become what it is today. I'm also learning that the way I (as a Canadian) view government and community is very different than my American neighbours. Americans are sensitive to the oppression of government after having fought it to become independent. American settlers were British people who could not stand to be under the rule of Britain any longer. Some people stayed loyal to Britain, but those who chose to become Americans did so passionately and with every fiber of their being. That attitude and spirit still remains in the people generations later, fighting for their rights, proclaiming their victories and remaining somewhat fearful of their government.

Discovering this has helped me understand and appreciate our differences.

Lately, we've been talking about health care. I'm no expert but I am daily trying to remain informed. Here's what I think:

Slander, lies and name calling have no place in a fair, political process, ESPECIALLY when it comes from news programming. We must always have the freedom to speak and the freedom to disagree, but when lies are used to tarnish the character of individuals, manufacture fear and further agendas, that freedom of speech has been abused. I'm not a radical Obama follower or a democrat, but so many ridiculous lies have been spread about the President and it's horrifying to see the wide spread panic and reaction caused by misleading information.
Please, do your research. Read the health care bills, read as much non-biased information as you can such as factcheck.org
Fox news is not a reliable source of information, not because I disagree with most of what they say, but because they lie to tarnish the President's name. Plain and simple.

I believe, based on evidence, that government run health care systems work. I don't say this based on personal experience, although I personally have had better experiences with Canadian health care than I have here, but because it's a proven fact. According to the World Health Organization, France has the #1 functioning health care system in the world. This is a government run system. In fact, most of the highest ranking health care systems in the world have universal health care. I've heard many negative things about Canadian health care (mostly from people who have never been there) but I will be the first to admit, it isn't without its flaws. Canada ranks #30 when compared to the other health care systems on the planet. America ranks #37, just below Costa Rica, and this shouldn't be the case for the richest country in the world. Regardless of how you feel about it or whether you want it, the fact is, government run health care systems function beautifully all over our planet and we could learn something from our French, Spanish, British, Italian, (etc) friends.

Many times, people use the argument, "The church should be taking care of the sick."
Well, that's true. Any individual who calls themselves a Christ follower should be doing their part daily to help those in need. However, government, too, should be protecting the rights of it's people. This is exactly what government was designed to do. We have a right to live...we have a right to breathe...we have a right to a beating heart. You can not live without your health. The two go hand in hand. Anyone who believes health care is not a right has not had to watch their family members dying of cancer, being denied medicine that could save their lives due to their bank account. No one should go broke trying to get well and no one should be denied life saving care based on the size of their wallet or the depths of their pockets. Emergency rooms place tiny, expensive band aids on gaping wounds, crippling people's financial future while leaving them still sick.

The USA has some government run programs currently that myself and many of my friends rightfully use daily. Medicaid, medicare, food stamps, WIC, public schools, the post office, the FDA...these and countless others are government run programs that aren't flawless (because nothing is) but they are doing incredible good for the people in our society. Many of us would be sick, hungry or illiterate without them.

Part of being a community is contributing to it, for the better good of all who live within it. Everyone participating in a system that everyone benefits from. A big part of people's stress is the section of the current health care bill that requires people to be insured or pay a tax. From what I've learned about the American people (as referenced above), they don't really like to be 'told' that they have to do anything, especially by government, and especially about money. Trust me, I get that, but consider this: The freedom of quality and affordable coverage for all...the economy taking off because individuals aren't buried in medical debt and can begin to invest in businesses again...affordable, life saving drugs for the chronically ill. The good of society outweighs the negative of being told what to do.

Listen to your President. He's YOUR President now, whether you elected him or not. It's time to administer some respect for authority. Fox news claimed verbatim, "President Obama hates America." This is the kind of garbage I'm talking about. Obama doesn't hate America and he needs to be given a chance to be taken at his word. If he claims in front of congress and half the world that he will not sign a bill that furthers the country's debt now or in the future, that's what he means. If he ends up signing one, then by all means, call him a liar, but for right now that is what he has said and that is what he meant. LISTEN to him. READ the bill. Don't just form an opinion based on what some angry news caster says.

47 million Americans are uninsured, walking around with the capability of going bank rupt and dying at any minute should they discover they have a tumour or fall down the stairs. Some of these people chose not to be insured. The problem is, the uninsured become a liability for the rest of America. This is why Obama's plan includes the necessity of people to have health insurance...because without it, we all suffer for the choices of the negligent. It's like second hand smoke...you may not care that you're taking a risk but I don't want to be effected by your bad air! Living and working together...yes, as individuals, but as individuals who live in community.

I think we can all agree that insurance companies need stricter laws and to be held accountable. People should not be dropped from their policies should they become ill, nor should they be excluded from care for pre-existing conditions..and there is no reason why the same medication in Canada should cost 3+ times more here...and no, it's not watered down in Canada...I've heard that argument too...again, facts are important. If the only thing that changes is this, America will be better for it. Insurance companies are monopolizing health care right now, rewarding their employees when they drop sick clients and refusing care to those who need it most. I am hopeful that enough people agree on this subject that something will be done about it.

I understand that past administrations have failed the American people and most are exhausted, wondering why they should trust this politician to be any different than the others. All I can say is that the face of government changes for a reason...if it were unable to move forward, there would be no need in electing new leadership. The last administration did wonderful things in the fight against abortion. George Bush signed a bill, making it illegal to terminate the life of a baby if born alive after an abortion attempt. That's a wonderful thing.
He also led the country on a wild goose chase over seas, spending billions and killing thousands and causing immeasurable damage to international relations. Every administration has it's strong points and some greatly disappoint us. Give this President a chance to do right with your taxes and your trust.

I hope this sparks some interest and maybe some conversation. It is important to speak openly about these things but it is mostly important to do so respectfully.

Thanks for reading.