A friend of mine is a social worker who volunteers at a senior citizen housing complex. Once a week, she meets with the residents in the "Club House" and listens to them gripe about families, the economy and anything else on their minds. She doesn't hold a "meeting" but sits around a table and has conversations in small groups. Other volunteers play cards or offer mini classes in anything from art to quilting.
I decided to join her. I wanted an opportunity to find out the truth about their reaction to health care reform. And as an avid gardener, I could offer any help in that area. I didn't take notes, so my conversations are paraphrased from memory. But the gist of the talk is real- and very enlightening.
The housing units are available to anyone over 55. The average age of the ladies I met was 78. My friend Pat introduced me to them, (Helen, Ruth, Connie, Barb, Ann, Jeannie, and Joan) as "the liberal activist I was telling you about. She wants to talk to you about the health care reform."
So much for my idea of gaining their confidence through tips on pruning.
As we talked, I discovered that they were concerned about "reform". Medicare has been meeting, and sometimes surpassing, all their medical needs. They didn't understand what needed to be "reformed". Because if reform meant cuts in the services they are now receiving, well, then they become upset.
They were more worried about the rumors of rationed care than "Kill Granny", but saw a connection between the two.
"What if I get cancer?" asked Jeanie, age 75. "Would I be able to get treatment, or will I be told to go away and die?"
"That decision will always be between you and your doctor." replied Pat. "The mistakes a lot of people make is confusing 'treatment' with 'cure'." My friend,Pat, is honestly blunt. "What this bill will provide is counseling for you to help you make these decisions. This counseling is not covered now. In no way does it force you to have counseling, nor does it state that decisions are made by anyone but you and your doctor."
"What's happening," I told them, "Is you are being lied to. Because the health care you receive right now is doing so well, the insurance companies do not want it made available to more people. And they are paying a fortune to scare you into believing the lies."
I asked them what news programs do they watch. All but two watched Katie Curic. Ann and Connie didn't watch the news. I asked if they ever watch any of the 24 hour cable newschannels. Three watched Bill-O occasionally, but never considered his show "news". Two enjoyed Anderson Cooper, and Helen and Ruth watched Rachel Maddow.
Do you know she's gay?" Ruth announced, reaching over and grabbing my arm. There was a twinkling in her eyes, as if she was letting me in on an exciting secret.
"She doesn't look gay." replied Ann.
"Rosie O'Donnell looks gay." Helen joined in.
"I don't know how they do it." said Ruth.
What followed was an amusing conversation that I cannot repeat. Suffice to say that these women were vulgar and what they did to our former president's last name was obscene. I must confess, however, I did laugh.
And then, Barb said, and this I do quote, "If what you say is true, why isn't it on the news?"
We all laughed again, but she was serious. She was talking about what she is seeing and hearing on the evening news.
They don't want to believe the lies, but they wonder, if maybe, it could be true because all they are seeing are the anti-health care protesters. Night after night, the media, whether pro or con, is showing the images of angry citizens demanding that this bill (which will ration care and kill granny) not be passed.
Where are the images of the hopeful, desperate citizens demanding that this bill (which will force insurance companies to provide care and bring down costs to affordable rates) be passed?
"Oh, remember the protest of the '60's?" Helen asked almost wistfully. "Every week there was a different reason to march down the street."
"Oh yes," agreed Joan. "That's how you get things done."
And that's how it's getting done now. If all they are hearing is one side of an issue, people will tend to forget the other side exists.
I asked them about President Obama. Four of them voted for him. They didn't care that he is black, although Connie was concerned that he is young and inexperienced. A few stated that he was doing too much, too fast, too soon. But they all agreed with his foreign policies.
It's time to stop all this war. And for what," asked Ruth. "Where is Osama bin Laden? That's what I want to know."
"All those boys. All those families."
Everyone fell silent. When Helen spoke again, I was struck by her passion. I wish I had recorded her words.
Helen lost her son in Viet Nam, and has held a deep distrust of her government ever since. "Every generation fights a war. Did someone make that a law somewhere?"
After 9/11, Helen found her patriotism again. She believed that all past grievances had been wiped out with one devestatingly blow. She was all for getting Bin Laden. "Yes-go to war. Send in the troops to get that murderer and bring him back, dead or alive."
"The next thing I know, we're in Iraq." she said. "And there are no WMD's. And now, so many mothers are crying for their babies. And it was all a lie."
And there I was, telling her that she was being lied to. Again.