Healthcare reform

...there is a broad consensus on what we need to do to solve many of our major problems, but no political way to get there. Most experts of left and right believe we need a gas tax in order to address our energy problems. No political way to get there. Most believe that we need a flatter, fairer tax code, probably based on a consumption tax. No political way to get there. Most agree that the fee-for-service system drives up health care costs and the employer based insurance system is unsustainable. There is apparently no political way to change these things. Most experts agree that teacher quality is crucial to the schools and that bad teachers need to be fired. Again, no political way to do this.

(http://theconversation.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/taylor-swift-and-americas-future)

My sentiments exactly! People never fail to surprise me with their sheer ignorance. Instead of focusing on "labels", look critically at the issues. Does ensuring everybody has access to health care really translates to socialism? What about public schools? We provide K-12 education for all students. And medicare? And social security? And even FDIC? If we're going to be a proud capitalist, we might as well strip ALL social benefits ensured by the government. No cherry-picking allow.

Thwarting progress by screaming socialism is doing nothing but hurting our country. The reality is that our healthcare system is NOT sustainable. People with better coverage receive better care. I had doctors who recommended more tests/procedures because "oh you work for...your insurance will cover it, no problem." I also remember being barred from coverage for a period of time because of a pre-existing condition. I was lucky because I was able to afford to pay out of pocket at that time. But what about in the future? And what about all the people who can't today? What kind of healthcare system exclude the very people that desperately need healthcare? Something has to change.

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I'm aching all over. I need to sign up for yoga classes. Or I could go for a massage.