Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsObamacare (and the oppositon to it) explained by Rick Steves
I'd like to take a short break from my reports in Iceland to discuss tomorrow's launch of Obamacare.
The last wealthy nation in the First World without some kind of national health care is about to get a watered down version of what other nations just assume is the mark of a successful and developed society. And the vested interests big medicine, insurance companies, and the politicians they employ are screaming like mad and spending a fortune to stop it. Ads and campaigns of confusion are not directed at my state, but at poorer and less educated states where affordable health care is needed most and people are easiest to frighten and manipulate. (In my state, libraries can direct people to information to understand the new law. In many states, librarians are actually forbidden to provide this service.)
Its amazing to me that in our great nation, about a fifth of the citizens are unable to afford health insurance, need to go to the emergency room for routine medical needs, and are terrorized by the specter of one serious accident or sickness wiping out their family financially. And, just as amazing, half of our country thinks thats OK and is fighting mad about the possibility of change. Even more perplexing, many of the people who think this is the best America can afford are the very people who need help the most.
Someone recently asked me, As a businessman and an employer, what do you think of Obamacare? My response was that, as a businessman, I dont think of it at all. I employ 80 people. I imagine my health-care costs might go up a bit. But this is a community issue. My response to Obamacare is as an American who wants to be proud of my country. It is an embarrassment that so many Americans are brutalized by health-care costs. Europeans and Canadians who spend far less per person on health care, like their care, and have options for rich people to get all the private VIP service they like marvel at how so much of America is hell-bent on maintaining our status quo.
Were living through a tsunami of desperate media and political action to help us avoid relatively modest progress in national health care. Think of the toll Presidents Clinton took back in the 1990s and Obama is taking today by standing up to the torrent of media and political flack. Think of the patrons and allegiances of the politicians who fight against affordable health care. Follow the money. What motivates the talking heads, the commercial news services, and the politicians who are working overtime to convince us this is a bad thing? They are captives of the industries (who advertise and donate) that will take a hit when poor and struggling Americans have access to affordable health care.
Those opposed to Obamacare have a powerful and well-funded voice. I believe its the slickest marketing initiative money can buy. Those who need the Affordable Care Act dont have these special interests speaking out in their favor. Study the issue carefully. Ask yourself what motivates the loudest voices pulling out all the stops to shape your opinion: compassion or greed?
Link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151769990192745&set=a.10151281817257745.486423.45052217744&type=1
The last wealthy nation in the First World without some kind of national health care is about to get a watered down version of what other nations just assume is the mark of a successful and developed society. And the vested interests big medicine, insurance companies, and the politicians they employ are screaming like mad and spending a fortune to stop it. Ads and campaigns of confusion are not directed at my state, but at poorer and less educated states where affordable health care is needed most and people are easiest to frighten and manipulate. (In my state, libraries can direct people to information to understand the new law. In many states, librarians are actually forbidden to provide this service.)
Its amazing to me that in our great nation, about a fifth of the citizens are unable to afford health insurance, need to go to the emergency room for routine medical needs, and are terrorized by the specter of one serious accident or sickness wiping out their family financially. And, just as amazing, half of our country thinks thats OK and is fighting mad about the possibility of change. Even more perplexing, many of the people who think this is the best America can afford are the very people who need help the most.
Someone recently asked me, As a businessman and an employer, what do you think of Obamacare? My response was that, as a businessman, I dont think of it at all. I employ 80 people. I imagine my health-care costs might go up a bit. But this is a community issue. My response to Obamacare is as an American who wants to be proud of my country. It is an embarrassment that so many Americans are brutalized by health-care costs. Europeans and Canadians who spend far less per person on health care, like their care, and have options for rich people to get all the private VIP service they like marvel at how so much of America is hell-bent on maintaining our status quo.
Were living through a tsunami of desperate media and political action to help us avoid relatively modest progress in national health care. Think of the toll Presidents Clinton took back in the 1990s and Obama is taking today by standing up to the torrent of media and political flack. Think of the patrons and allegiances of the politicians who fight against affordable health care. Follow the money. What motivates the talking heads, the commercial news services, and the politicians who are working overtime to convince us this is a bad thing? They are captives of the industries (who advertise and donate) that will take a hit when poor and struggling Americans have access to affordable health care.
Those opposed to Obamacare have a powerful and well-funded voice. I believe its the slickest marketing initiative money can buy. Those who need the Affordable Care Act dont have these special interests speaking out in their favor. Study the issue carefully. Ask yourself what motivates the loudest voices pulling out all the stops to shape your opinion: compassion or greed?
Link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151769990192745&set=a.10151281817257745.486423.45052217744&type=1
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
10 replies, 2880 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (65)
ReplyReply to this post
10 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Obamacare (and the oppositon to it) explained by Rick Steves (Original Post)
MelissaB
Sep 2013
OP
Scuba
(53,475 posts)1. "... what motivates the loudest voices pulling out all the stops to shape your opinion"?
HootieMcBoob
(3,823 posts)2. K&R
Excellent!
MythosMaster
(445 posts)3. Rick is a wise well traveled man.
MelissaB
(16,420 posts)4. Yes, he is!
Edited to say: Welcome to DU!
MythosMaster
(445 posts)10. thank you.
kentauros
(29,414 posts)8. I'd say he's another national treasure.
He's educated so many of us, or at least those of us that still watch public (EDUCATIONAL) television. I do realize that stations like that are likely blocked on conservatives' TV sets.
mainer
(12,022 posts)5. is this the same Rick Steves, the travel guy?
Because I've carried his brand of backpack through four continents and love it!
Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)6. The same...
He's a righteous dude.
Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)7. From a European perspective...
The United States is like some backwoods area where they don't yet have indoor plumbing.
But what's curious to outsiders is why a vocal minority would be opposed to indoor plumbing. Like there's some virtue to shitting in the woods.
AmBlue
(3,111 posts)9. Spot on. n/t