You may think that superpeople only exist in comic books and other fictional stories, but it’s not true, they walk among us. We pass them on the internet, the city streets, even buy goods and services from them. I have heard about it before, corporations afforded the same rights as an individual, but I was too busy with other items in life and politics to concern myself. The recent Supreme Court decision brought this random fact back to life for me, highlighted by President Obama’s comments on the decision.
I’ll admit that my confidence in the Supreme Court eroded significantly when it barged into Florida’s legal and political process during the Bush vs. Gore 2000 election. Initially sending the case back to the Florida Supreme Court in Bush v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board, it appeared to me that the US Supreme Court was politically dissatisfied with Florida’s decision for a state recount. Why else would five conservative judges who espouse the rights of states, make such an about face? And now this recent decision sends me further into distrust of the system of government on which I had previously lavished such praise. “The system of checks and balances is what keeps our government fair,” I would say. Granted this was said most often in my twenties when I believed in the promises presented by my high school standard course on American history, now that I’m in my forties, I’m more than a little bit chagrined over my arrogance in simplifying such complex subjects.
In my research for this post, I found the most helpful explanation of how corporate interests obtained the title of personhood in an article on the Global Policy Forum website. To summarize, it dates back the 14th Amendment, which was a part of the laws that abolished slavery, specifically it granted “equal protection of the laws.” The railroad companies took advantage of these changes in an effort to avoid taxation and other restrictions, and sued local and state governments. Using an archaic term from the past that referred to corporations as “artificial persons”, the railroad lawyers claimed discrimination under the 14th amendment. After years of losing court battles, it was J. C. Bancroft Davis, formerly a president of a small railroad and the Recorder of the Supreme Court, that changed history with a lie. Although the Supreme Court had not ruled on the case, he wrote in his headnote “that the Chief Justice had said that all the Justices agreed that corporations are persons.”
It appears that a magnified lie was the precedent for a series of decisions leading to the US Supreme Court’s ruling that corporations are granted freedom of speech under the Bill of Rights. Pandora's box is opened even wider allowing the deep pockets of corporate interests to fill the campaigns of our aspiring politicians. As if politics weren’t already skewed against the common good, the previous campaign reforms are as good as dust. I won’t bother spending the words on how I believe this will play out. We have all experienced first-hand the power of money and its ability to corrupt, cajole and convince.
In the midst of the health care reform angst, I haven’t heard of any movement on the part of the US Legislature to counteract the impending, unlimited influx of corporate money. The fact is that corporate organizations are not democratic by nature and have only the bottom line of the shareholders for any type of accountability. I’m worried that the current health care fight overshadows a real threat to good governance in the US. I wonder if the corporations will now ask for the right to vote?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, August 9, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Seeking a compassionate nation
I’m not entirely sure of the wisdom behind giving Congress the lead on health care reform, while the all popular President Obama cajoles its progress from the sidelines. I don’t know about you but I’m worried. As a much younger and healthier person, I watched health care reform flame and fizzle in 1993. Yes, I was disappointed, but the reality of needing health care was distant in concept. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, it would only be two years later that its necessity would smack me to the ground.
I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in my second quarter of graduate school. It was a series of kind acts by doctors, family, friends, and strangers, the existence of the Washington State Basic Health Plan, and the availability of student aid, that moved me through it. The doctor at the student health clinic struck a deal with my catastrophe insurance carrier to fully diagnose the problem because it could be cancer, which would be technically life-threatening. He told me if it was cancer the insurance wouldn’t pay for treatment. Fortunate to get cancer in Washington State, I was able to enroll in its Basic Health plan. With help from my student loans, I covered the required co-pays during the pre-existing condition months and afterwards. At my graduation two years later, I had a Master of Science from a public institution with the price tag of a private school.
I’m not whining about it, but at the same time, I’m not going to shut up about it, either. Confronting the emotional and physical challenges of chemotherapy is a daunting task. A $1200 bill from the clinic administering it sends you further into a dark, desperate place. I don’t find it acceptable that our country is okay with this, for me, you or anyone. We are compassionate people. I know this from personal experience. I can’t see how compassionate people can overlook the suffering caused by the lack of affordable health care. It’s like adding salt to a wound.
Here we are in limbo and in the worst position possible, waiting for Congress to act. As usual it’s all going to hell. Congress doesn’t play nice in the sandbox. While Republicans hurl fistfuls of sand at them, the House Democrats are arguing among themselves about how to build their sand castle. Meanwhile the “in” group of Democrat and Republican Senators are off in the far corner of the playground holding secret squirrel meetings during the day and parties with insurance and pharmaceutical companies at night.
The sweet stench of money is escaping from the dark mahogany doors of Congress, offered by the sweaty palms of insurance companies. The US Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Senator Max Baucus, D-Montana, has announced a call to action on health care reform. According to Consumer Watch Dog, 20% of Senator Baucus’ campaign funds were contributed by the health and insurance sectors while less than 10% of his money was given by his fellow residents of Montana. Some of the top contributors of his campaign fund include at least 5 companies that oppose any public insurance option, Schering-Plough NY Life Insurance, Amgen, Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
It seems to me that this senator is paid, albeit indirectly, by the health and insurance sectors. Isn’t it interesting that the public option is suddenly dropped so early in the process by the senators? I can’t erase a circa 1950’s good old boy club image from my mind, a bunch of old white guys chomping on cigars sitting in dark leather chairs, plotting the silent ways they can employ to kill health care reform and keep their money.
Now we can expect those annoying one-sided, mini political infomercials interrupting our daily dose of the tube. PhRMA, which represents drug companies, has purchased more than $500,000 worth of television ads to air in nine states. Gee, I wonder what they are going to say?
Hear me now and believe me later, if I had the money those guys did, I would launch my own healthcare reform ad campaign. I wouldn’t have to hire an advertising firm or hold any focus groups. I would simply put the camera on the people scrimping to afford treatment or medication; those who lost loved ones because the insurance company dropped them or wouldn’t approve the “experimental” treatment; the ones who ended up bankrupt or in debt to ears to pay for cancer treatment. Their stories break my heart every time. I want more from my country. I know that the devil is in the details, but I suspect he’s breathing down the backs of Congress, reminding them who pays them.
If the Wall Street fools get a bailout, why can’t we, the American People, be afforded the peace of mind to focus on healing when we are sick and not whether we can afford it? I wish it could be that easy. No, thank you, I can afford cancer today, maybe next year?
The solutions to health care reform are best handled by better minds than mine. I understand that we need to figure out how to pay for health care on national level and that the way health care is administered may be different from how we operate today. I believe that flexibility and innovation are some of our collective gifts as Americans. Please don’t let the love of money stop our progress of becoming a more compassionate nation. I believe that we have to keep our eyes on Congress so they don’t rob us and our well-being for re-election campaign funds.
I’m not entirely sure of the wisdom behind giving Congress the lead on health care reform, while the all popular President Obama cajoles its progress from the sidelines. I don’t know about you but I’m worried. As a much younger and healthier person, I watched health care reform flame and fizzle in 1993. Yes, I was disappointed, but the reality of needing health care was distant in concept. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, it would only be two years later that its necessity would smack me to the ground.
I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in my second quarter of graduate school. It was a series of kind acts by doctors, family, friends, and strangers, the existence of the Washington State Basic Health Plan, and the availability of student aid, that moved me through it. The doctor at the student health clinic struck a deal with my catastrophe insurance carrier to fully diagnose the problem because it could be cancer, which would be technically life-threatening. He told me if it was cancer the insurance wouldn’t pay for treatment. Fortunate to get cancer in Washington State, I was able to enroll in its Basic Health plan. With help from my student loans, I covered the required co-pays during the pre-existing condition months and afterwards. At my graduation two years later, I had a Master of Science from a public institution with the price tag of a private school.
I’m not whining about it, but at the same time, I’m not going to shut up about it, either. Confronting the emotional and physical challenges of chemotherapy is a daunting task. A $1200 bill from the clinic administering it sends you further into a dark, desperate place. I don’t find it acceptable that our country is okay with this, for me, you or anyone. We are compassionate people. I know this from personal experience. I can’t see how compassionate people can overlook the suffering caused by the lack of affordable health care. It’s like adding salt to a wound.
Here we are in limbo and in the worst position possible, waiting for Congress to act. As usual it’s all going to hell. Congress doesn’t play nice in the sandbox. While Republicans hurl fistfuls of sand at them, the House Democrats are arguing among themselves about how to build their sand castle. Meanwhile the “in” group of Democrat and Republican Senators are off in the far corner of the playground holding secret squirrel meetings during the day and parties with insurance and pharmaceutical companies at night.
The sweet stench of money is escaping from the dark mahogany doors of Congress, offered by the sweaty palms of insurance companies. The US Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Senator Max Baucus, D-Montana, has announced a call to action on health care reform. According to Consumer Watch Dog, 20% of Senator Baucus’ campaign funds were contributed by the health and insurance sectors while less than 10% of his money was given by his fellow residents of Montana. Some of the top contributors of his campaign fund include at least 5 companies that oppose any public insurance option, Schering-Plough NY Life Insurance, Amgen, Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
It seems to me that this senator is paid, albeit indirectly, by the health and insurance sectors. Isn’t it interesting that the public option is suddenly dropped so early in the process by the senators? I can’t erase a circa 1950’s good old boy club image from my mind, a bunch of old white guys chomping on cigars sitting in dark leather chairs, plotting the silent ways they can employ to kill health care reform and keep their money.
Now we can expect those annoying one-sided, mini political infomercials interrupting our daily dose of the tube. PhRMA, which represents drug companies, has purchased more than $500,000 worth of television ads to air in nine states. Gee, I wonder what they are going to say?
Hear me now and believe me later, if I had the money those guys did, I would launch my own healthcare reform ad campaign. I wouldn’t have to hire an advertising firm or hold any focus groups. I would simply put the camera on the people scrimping to afford treatment or medication; those who lost loved ones because the insurance company dropped them or wouldn’t approve the “experimental” treatment; the ones who ended up bankrupt or in debt to ears to pay for cancer treatment. Their stories break my heart every time. I want more from my country. I know that the devil is in the details, but I suspect he’s breathing down the backs of Congress, reminding them who pays them.
If the Wall Street fools get a bailout, why can’t we, the American People, be afforded the peace of mind to focus on healing when we are sick and not whether we can afford it? I wish it could be that easy. No, thank you, I can afford cancer today, maybe next year?
The solutions to health care reform are best handled by better minds than mine. I understand that we need to figure out how to pay for health care on national level and that the way health care is administered may be different from how we operate today. I believe that flexibility and innovation are some of our collective gifts as Americans. Please don’t let the love of money stop our progress of becoming a more compassionate nation. I believe that we have to keep our eyes on Congress so they don’t rob us and our well-being for re-election campaign funds.
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