Healthcare: We Need Change

50 million, that's the number of American's without health insurance. 9 million, that's the number of children without health insurance. 18,000, that’s the number of people who will die this year because of that lack of insurance. Those are the facts and yet, were is the reform? In the 1990's, President Bill Clinton appointed his wife, then first lady, Hillary Clinton to head the President's Commission on Healthcare Reform. Hillary fought hard for universal coverage, but Newt Gingrich, the rest of the Republican congress, the health care industry, and conservative groups spent 100 million dollars to defeat the plan, and they did. Since the 13 years after the battle over health care, with 18,000 dying each year, about 234,000 people have died because of that lack of insurance. That is about 78 times bigger then the death toll on September 11, 2001. We have spent billions on Iraq and the War on Terror, and George W. Bush and the Republicans in congress choose to protect us against Osama Bin Laden and other terrorists. However, they refuse to protect us against our smallest enemy, bacteria and disease.
Since, Richard Nixon decided to make our health care industry 100% profit driven in 1971, the system has turned into corrupt, greedy, and sickening industry, working against people. We give 100% free universal healthcare to captured terrorists in prison, people who planned September 11, but there are volunteer 9/11 rescue workers who can't afford health insurance. We spend more money on healthcare than any other industrialized in the world, we rank 37th in times of healthcare in the world, barely ahead of Cuba. There are nations who don't even hold a candle to our overall wealth, and have a lower infant mortality rate then we do. We think that universal healthcare would make our healthcare worse. While, nations with universal healthcare exhibit overall better health then those that don't. The unhealthiest people in England, those considered impoverished, statistically are healthier than those with the best healthcare in America. Only, 1 in 10 people in a Canadian hospital wait more than 3 hours in a hospital waiting room. 86% are seen within 30 minutes. On average Canadians live 3 years longer than Americans. A few years ago, I cut my finger, and I waited more than 4 hours in an extremely over crowded waiting room. Where was I? In America's wonderful healthcare system of course!
I take daily a daily medication. Under our insurance plan, we pay 10 dollars for every refill. That's if you have insurance. In England, the most you will ever pay for drugs is 10 dollars. However, my medication is extremely cheap. We spend an average of $7000 per American, Cuba spends 200 per person, however, and Cuba has the lowest HIV/AIDS rate in the Western Hemisphere. An inhaler that will cost over 100 dollars in America costs 5 cents in Cuba.
For all the talk over how universal healthcare is awful, I just don't see it. The facts seem to prove Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, and John McCain wrong. The Republicans will tell you the lie of "access to affordable healthcare" when it really means, more money to the healthcare industry that kills thousands a year. The only way to fix our healthcare industry is universal coverage. What are some benefits? A more productive workforce, which means a booming economy and more jobs. France, which has the best healthcare system in the world, has a higher productivity rate than the United States. Nations with universal coverage have less workers taking off for sick time. On average we would save money with a universal system. More people would be healthy. Our medical industry would finally work for people. 9 million children would be covered. Gone would be the days of the money driven healthcare executives. Our healthcare industry would be the best in the world. America can afford universal coverage. The United Kingdom created their universal system in the wake of WWII when they had little to no economic stability. By easing our national economy on to it over the next 4 years or so, we would be able to easily switch to universal healthcare.
This is the only way we can fix things. The argument that we will be become unhealthier and the healthcare industry will be more expensive if we convert to universal coverage holds no water. The facts are on my side. Our nation won't be remembered on how we treated the best off among us. It will be how we treated the worst among us. The 50 million uninsured. The 18,000 who will die this year.

Rubber Stamp Mike

We have been in Iraq for about 4 years now, and since that time over 3500 young men and women have given their lives for this pointless war. We have spent billions on this war, and essential social programs in the United States have been crippled. In Delaware alone, we could build dozens of new schools, give health insurance to thousands of Delawareans, and provide affordable housing units to Delaware's lower income citizens, with the money we alone have spent on this war. These are vital issues. However, our Congressman, Michael Castle has continued to be a rubber stamp for this administration. Congressman Castle, you are either with the people of Delaware (70% oppose the war) or you are with President Bush. If you chose the second one, you are out of here. I am sick and tired of Mike Castle's indecisiveness and him putting his finger to the wind. He has failed us time after time after time after time. Thank God, we have Joe Biden being one of the greatest voices against President Bush's stupid surge.

It's time for Mike Castle to go. We can't afford for him to be another rubber stamp for this administration. Mike Castle can be a moderate voice to end the war. However, he seems to be lock step with this president. When asked he said he "couldn't make up his mind" on what was best. Your constituents are calling on you to end this war, 70 percent in fact. Take a hint Mike. He doesn't get it. He can't end this war, because he is a loyal Republican. He has failed this state, this country, and the world as a whole. He doesn't have the judgment to lead anymore. I say, someone qualified run and beat this guy. I can't understand why we elect him. He hasn't done one thing for this state. Oh, wait, I think I am being unfair, he got the national state quarter thing up and going. Way to go Mike! Now, channel that energy into ending the Iraq War. Or are you to busy waiting for the Alaska quarter to come out. Take that quarter to buy an one way ticket out of town, and don't let the door hit you on the way out. For a guy who has been in congress for over a decade, a quarter program isn't a lot to show. Be the man you should be and vote against this president or we will beat you.

Political Activism: An Endangered Species

For too long now our political process has been an area of society where the elite are more important. Our process has become something that only a few participate in. However, whose fault is this? How did we get here? The people are not to blame for this. Our elections have been the choice between two mediocre candidates. The phrase “the lesser of two evils” has become the most popular way to describe our elections. Our system is more about money and power then people and political ideas. Political consultants have tried to divide and wedge the voters apart. Politics has become taboo. Here is the cause of this problem. People do not participate in politics and the political process because politics and politicians have become less in touch with people and have lost the true meaning of America.
Our government today is more interested in things that help their rich donors than the issues that matter in this country. They have in the past couple of years; proposed tax cuts for the wealthy, tax cuts for oil companies, and allowed loose business ethics laws. However, they have (in the past) refused to raise the minimum wage and give tax cuts to the middle class to strengthen the economy. They have refused to improve our healthcare and public school systems. All on loose arguments. Moreover, because of this, voter percentages have dropped to all time lows. In 2000, and 2004 under half of registered voters voted. In 1960 about 60% voted. Voters no longer trust politicians therefore; they have no incentive to vote. Moreover, the politicians of our country have ignored the issues that affect real people. Politics has been lost from national discussions.
Candidates for various offices in these nations are no longer guided by a sense of public service. They rely on polls and money to dictate they actions. Our system is no longer regarded as prestigious as it was. Our system doesn’t work for us. Those who participate in politics and politicians were once regarded as high in society. They were looked up to and respected. Now, politics is considered a dirty business. People who enter politics seem to be slimy and dishonest. As a result, people do not choose politics as a career, but instead they avoid it like a bad cold. The word “Washington” has become synonymous with corruption. People regard politicians as the worst kind of people. It doesn’t matter how much good politicians do, they are almost always considered deceitful. This is a result of many political leaders who have deceived the public and have taken advantage of our system. Many public officials have made a mockery of the office they hold. Therefore, it seems impossible to rebuild the tainted image of politics. People no longer trust authority. They feel they will just be hurt again, because of the actions of past leaders.
Today, elections, politics, and the American democracy has become about wedge issues, dividing America in two, pitting one against another. Our system used to be about an honest and open discussion of the issues and about making the lives of people better. g Although politicians try to imitate, the people know they are insincere. Since our leaders have treated their offices with such disrespect, the people have become political cynics who cringe when the word “politics” is said. Public service and democracy no longer has the meaning it used to. People do not want to hear what politicians have to say. People just don’t care anymore. They have given up on our public servants. This is because our public servants no longer care about us, and this is evident through the pork barrel spending and sloppy legislation that has come through in the past years. Political participation is at an all time low. People do not read the newspaper or watch the news, as much as they used too. People no longer have taken an interest in our nation’s leaders.
Our political system is something that is extremely important. However, our leaders have made a mockery of it. They have turned our nation’s government into a place to advocate for thing they believe is important, not what the people think is important. They think with their wallet, not a sense of public service and patriotism. People often run for office as a means to make money for themselves and corporate interests. Politicians believe in what’s best for them, not best for the people. Now, the American people are disenchanted with political leaders. Politics is taboo. Politicians are thought if as slimy, dishonest, and insincere. Government is a line of business that is regarded as dirty. People no longer go into politics for the right reasons. Our system doesn’t work for us. As a result, our people do not take part in the political process and vote. People don’t exercise their civic duty. People do not write their congressman, call their senator, or volunteer for campaigns because they believe that government doesn’t work for them.

Together We Stand Strong

Today, I would like to take a brake from my usual rants about Republicans and offer thoughts what I believe could be the greatest silent issue that we face. Today, we have an attitude, all of us, Democrat, Republican, and Independent, that it's everyone for themselves. No longer do we look out for our fellow man. Gone are the days of I am my brother or sister's "keeper." If someone is suffering we do not help him. If someone is struggling, we say "tough luck" and walk away. We only look out for ourselves and no one else. Some would say its enough work to look after yourself, but I believe strongly in what America used to stand for. We used to be a nation of compassion, of lending a helping hand, and of looking out for our neighbors. Take for example one of the worst times in American history the 1930's. There was the Great Depression and the loom of war from fascists. However, our president, Franklin D. Roosevelt called on our nation to stand up and fight back against these things. He kept an optimistic outlook and said the famous words, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." He lead us to the greatest American recovery ever. However, today, we fear doing anything about major issues, such as healthcare, Iraq, the environment, and poverty. We think that it is too hard to deal with these things. We don't feel the obligation we used to, to help others. We can face these things head on, by uniting and keeping our head held high, and fighting for change.
Why lay down our sword when the fighting gets tough? Why stop now? There are millions suffering and I feel if I stop, I will be turning my back on my fellow man. We need to stop being selfish. There are millions of people who aren't in the position to help themselves, and it is time we step up as a nation. Do we want to be remembered as a thug nation that bullies people or a compassionate nation that helps others and takes good care of it's citizens. There are people out there who are selfless, who fight the good fight. Firefighters, police officers, the men and women of our armed forces, veterans, and volunteers across our country. They step up without asking. Today I ask my fellow Americans to join in this fight for our nations future. Although, what lies ahead might seem tough, and scary, remember what FDR said. We can do this, if we unite. Divided we fall, united we will stand. If we don't compromise, if we don't work together, and reach across the barrier of politics and race and culture, then we will never succeed. I say this today not to call anyone out. We have all failed America, but we have look forward to the future. Lets keep our government accountable and lets fight for open government. Lets do something about Iraq. Lets stop poverty and insure every American. Lets fight those who say we can't. We shall overcome those who wish to hinder the awesome power of America and it's people. I love this country. This is why I say this today. The attitude of we are all on our own should be done. We are in this together. Remember it is the UNITED States.