Problems that Won’t Wait By Timothy V. Gatto

[Joanne98]

May 14, 2009

I believe that after two Bush Administrations and Clinton’s “populist” cover for his Administration that was run for the benefit of the people that have always controlled the United States, Barack Obama’s warm, fuzzy message of empty rhetoric has finally hit a brick wall with the American people. Americans just don’t trust government anymore and they are tired of the same old empty promises that promise change but deliver nothing except the status quo of a government run by the wealthy, connected people for the wealthy connected people.

This week has been particularly transparent in regards to whom actually runs this country. During a Senate committee focusing on health care, the absence of any one individual or group that supports single payer health care was readily apparent. When people started to speak out against the fact that this particular gathering was attended by health care suppliers; the HMO’s and the insurance companies and their respective lobbyists, as well as those elected officials that have taken huge campaign contributions from these same interests, it was no wonder that the police started escorting anyone that made any protest about the make -up of this particular committee.

Montana’s Sen. Max Baucus last Wednesday unveiled his proposals for reforming America’s health care system, including expansions of government-funded programs and a requirement that everyone have or buy health insurance. The articles that described the committee’s suggestions left out the fact that the proposals the committee came up with were all tied in to private, profit driven entities that required individuals to purchase health plans from the private sector. It was no wonder that when individuals who were in the audience complained that the committee was made up of private health care providers and lobbyists; they were escorted from the venue by the police. Senator Baucus was asked if he had any suggestions on how to keep the focus on the goals of the committee he replied “more police”.

The Democrats have a golden opportunity to enact a national government subsidized, single- payer health plan that would provide health care for all Americans. This however, will never happen as long as our representative republic only represents the wealthiest of our citizens. This is a fact that lies at the root of most problems the government has as far as meeting the basic needs of its citizens. As long as our elected officials have their political campaigns funded by powerful business interests and the lobbyists that represent them, those that cannot afford to pay to play will be consistently ignored when it comes to basic services.

When government sponsored health care is discussed, the old argument of how to pay for it takes center stage. The specter of socialism is invoked and the threat of taxation levels of 60% or better are used to strike fear into the heart of our citizens. The truth is that of all of the wealthiest industrial nations, the United States is the only one that relies on private providers to furnish health care to its citizens. The average tax in America is 30.2%. In Sweden, health care is a public service financed almost universally through taxes. The rationale for this system is to ensure equal access to high-quality health care for all residents, regardless of domicile or income level. The 290 Swedish local authorities and 21 county councils are responsible for providing a major part of all public services, including health care, and are entitled to levy taxes to finance their activities. Taxes are levied as a percentage of citizens’ income. The average overall local tax rate is 31%.

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http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2009/05/14/problems-that-wont-wait-by-timothy-v-gatto/

[DJ13]

1. K&R