Vestiges of a Dying Society

When the push for health care reform was re-ignited by President Obama, I expected angry mobs. Only I thought they would be for health care coverage, rather than against it. I figured the sick and tired people, having nothing much to lose, would moan and holler forcing politicians to make good on their promises. Wrong again, it appears that angry mobs of mostly white people are storming into town halls and shouting down the politicians with anti-reform rhetoric.

The newspapers are speculating on the source of this anger: Rush Limbaugh, corporations that benefit from the status quo, the Republicans or genuinely angry people at a grassroots level. The one thing that I can relate to in this situation is the anger. I’m angry too, but not about ObamaCare. I’m angry that people are profiting on sickness. The insurances companies, private hospitals, and numerous others report good-sized profits. Don’t start calling me anti-business because I’m not. I’m an aspiring freelance writer and blogger who would love to be able to chuck her day job, but it offers affordable health coverage for my family. I believe that you cannot serve two masters. I don’t feel comfortable leaving my family’s health in the hands of corporations whose main function is make money for their stockholders. With that as their stated purpose, why would we assume that they have our best interests at heart?

I don’t understand why these protestors are against the government offering health care. Isn’t that what Medicare is? Sure, it could use improvement, but it is run by people who are ultimately accountable to us. Remember, by the people for the people? The government isn’t accountable to shareholders like corporations are. Yes, I agree those bureaucrats are dreadful, but they’ll be no different from the people at the insurance call centers in terms of their answers and service. I believe that I have a better shot at stating my case in an organization designed to be for the people, united under the US Constitution, than in one designed for profit.

Beyond disrupting the public discourse, I find two things about these mobs that make me go, hmmm. In examining the videos of the people mobbing the town halls, all I see are white faces. What’s up with that? Also, they carry signs denigrating Obamacare. Why do they bring him into it when the bill is in the hands of Congress? Despite my misgivings, Obama is letting Congress craft the health care reform, which is the opposite of what Bill Clinton did. Why don’t they carry signs about how PelosiCare stinks? It is exactly these two details that give me the impression that these people aren’t really angry about health care, maybe they’re REALLY angry about having a black man in the White House?

It seems to me that they want Obama to fail, period. It doesn’t matter what the subject is, financial bailouts, health care reform, etc. The old regime of white-control of commerce and politics has been eroding over the years. However, it hasn’t been as obvious as seeing a black man lead the federal government. It’s the final straw! They will read from their talking points, spread out in a meeting to appear more intimidating, and shake their angry fists in a last ditch attempt to save what is being lost.

Personally, as a white person, I’m relieved to have a black man as President. I love my country and I want it to pay more than lip service to its promises. I believed what they told me, land of the free and home of the brave. All men (and woman) are created equal. I’m proud to see those promises being met.

Despite my belief that there is a hidden agenda in these verbal brawls over health care, I’m at an impasse on how to respond as a passionate person for health care reform. Initially, I wanted to gather my own grassroots posse to counteract their anti-reform language. I like shaking my fist and pointing my finger in righteous indignation. It feels good to let it all out. But, I don’t think it is right, or righteous, at all to intimidate people into something. Just because the other side is behaving badly doesn’t mean I should. At the same time, we, people for health care reform that includes a government option, should not slink away in fear of this anger and condemnation. I hope that there are enough of us that will speak for health care reform in a considerate and compassionate manner.