By Brigitte L. Nacos
The images of mostly old Americans in chaotic townhall meetings this fall are unforgettable as are the untrue arguments against meaningful health care reform made in those gatherings. Although enjoying the benefits of their government-run Medicare entitlements, the elderly in particular ranted and raved against a public alternative to private health insurance.
The deceptive propaganda campaigns (just think of death panels) by conservative ideologues and a greedy insurance industry have misled rather than educate certain segments of society. Thus the outcry against the alleged horror of government bureaucrats making decisions about health care needs—although bureaucrats in insurance companies decide day-in and day-out what medical treatments will be paid for--or not.
When a propaganda of fear warns of socialism and communism taking hold and replacing good, old capitalism, such nonsense tends to scare the hell out of those who fear to be the losers of reforms.
It is a disgrace that a rapidly growing number of Americans do not have any health insurance. But not only Republicans but also several Democrats in the U.S. Senate do not embrace meaningful health care reform that must include a public option. Therefore, MSNBC’s talk show hosts Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow called for setting up temporary free clinics for the uninsured to shame those conservative Democrats--Lincoln and Mark Pryor (both D-Ark.), Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Harry Reid (D-Nev.)—into joining the majority of Democrats and prevent a filibuster against health care reform in the Senate.
Until last night, when I happened to look at Larry King Live, I had never heard of “The Dr. Oz Show” and its host Dr. Mehmet Oz. But this physician’s account of his involvement in such a clinic in Houston drove home the plight of many, many millions of men, women, and children without health insurance.
There was the gripping account of a little girl that was recently examined in one of those temporary clinics in Houston. Although working, her mother has not been able to afford health insurance. As it turned out, the little girl had a hole in her heart. One wonders how many treatable health problems are not discovered for lack of insurance.
And that in the United States—not some third world country!
The images of mostly old Americans in chaotic townhall meetings this fall are unforgettable as are the untrue arguments against meaningful health care reform made in those gatherings. Although enjoying the benefits of their government-run Medicare entitlements, the elderly in particular ranted and raved against a public alternative to private health insurance.
The deceptive propaganda campaigns (just think of death panels) by conservative ideologues and a greedy insurance industry have misled rather than educate certain segments of society. Thus the outcry against the alleged horror of government bureaucrats making decisions about health care needs—although bureaucrats in insurance companies decide day-in and day-out what medical treatments will be paid for--or not.
When a propaganda of fear warns of socialism and communism taking hold and replacing good, old capitalism, such nonsense tends to scare the hell out of those who fear to be the losers of reforms.
It is a disgrace that a rapidly growing number of Americans do not have any health insurance. But not only Republicans but also several Democrats in the U.S. Senate do not embrace meaningful health care reform that must include a public option. Therefore, MSNBC’s talk show hosts Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow called for setting up temporary free clinics for the uninsured to shame those conservative Democrats--Lincoln and Mark Pryor (both D-Ark.), Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Harry Reid (D-Nev.)—into joining the majority of Democrats and prevent a filibuster against health care reform in the Senate.
Until last night, when I happened to look at Larry King Live, I had never heard of “The Dr. Oz Show” and its host Dr. Mehmet Oz. But this physician’s account of his involvement in such a clinic in Houston drove home the plight of many, many millions of men, women, and children without health insurance.
There was the gripping account of a little girl that was recently examined in one of those temporary clinics in Houston. Although working, her mother has not been able to afford health insurance. As it turned out, the little girl had a hole in her heart. One wonders how many treatable health problems are not discovered for lack of insurance.
And that in the United States—not some third world country!
Regrettably, the news media failed to examine claims by the anti-reform forces that Europe’s health care insurance system does not work. For starters, investigative reporting would have found that in European countries with mandatory health insurances private insurances exist and fare well side-by-side with public insurances. Furthermore, fact checking would have shown that contrary to the propaganda of fear the so-called “socialized medicine” systems are working very well for patients, physicians, and other health care providers.
Remarkably, in spite of divisive propaganda, well orchestrated rage in unruly townhall meetings, and the shortcomings of the news media, pollsters report growing public support for health care reform and majority support for the much discussed public option.Common sense seems to inform the attitudes of the silent majority. If only the oppositional forces among Washington's decision-makers would listen.
Born and raised in the U.S. It is my fleeing that the U.S. should quickly pull out of Iraq & Afganistan. Then muster troops with Isreal. This to strengthen Isreal's responce to agression against them.If we show support for the government in Isreal and stand behind them with all of our might. I believe it would change the attitude for change whithin in all the East.
Posted by: Anwar | August 29, 2012 at 03:35 PM
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Posted by: лечение наркомании нарконон южный | October 26, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Robert: There are no laws or regulations on campaign promises and actual policies after winning elections.
Contrary to European style parliamentary systems, presidents and their parties are not accountable for promised policy decisions in tune with campaign promises because presidents unlike prime ministers do not control legislative majorities. And contrary to European politics, there is not party discipline when it comes to voting in parliaments.
Posted by: Brigitte | October 25, 2009 at 08:29 PM
I wonder ..... We have laws on the books protecting "consumers" from deceptive practices ............ are there any laws protecting voters from being lied to??
Posted by: Robert Arthur | October 25, 2009 at 02:17 PM