I guess I'm one of those in the Gallup Poll who says they feel more sympathy for the protesters at these Congressional town halls. Lyndon Larouche and AHIP's astroturfers have finally struck a note with me. "We must stop the slide toward Socialism in this country." "Time to take it back." "We surround you." I think I get it now.
We have this long tradition in America of denial. We never admit to the obvious. Why not finally call this proposed Health Care Reform together with Medicare and Social Security (and the defense budget) EXACTLY what they are - SOCIALISM.
"I'm shocked, shocked to find [SOCIALISM] going on here."- Louis from Casablanca updated to 2009.
Stop the tiptoeing. Call a shovel a shovel. Tell them they are right- this new health care reform will result in MORE SOCIALISM, not some new fangled socialism as if that is something new and foreign. It's been here since the 1930s and its growing! Count up Medicare, Medicaid, the VA and others and you get to 30% single payer already. Add in government employees and retirees and you get to 47% government paid health care.
Social Security is socialism. Welfare is socialism. Unemployment insurance is socialism. Continuing to build the F-22 is socialism. Bailing out Wall Street is socialism. Owning AIG is socialism. $3 billion for cash for clunkers is socialism (especially since the taxpayers own the means of production- GM). It isn't "capitalism" folks and surely ain't "free enterprise".
People on the progressive side need to stop denying that what these people are complaining about is false. Sure the "Palin Death Panels" are a farce. And "Obama is a Nazi" is beyond a farce.
But "Government Run Health Care" and "Socialism", no, that's true! And that is what most of these screamers fool themselves into thinking that they are angry about. This bill will force private insurance companies to cover people they don't want to cover, you know, sick people who actually need the coverage. It will end caps on benefits. Unlimited benefits. Name me one other insurance policy you have that has unlimited liability. It will require payment for preventive care, mammograms for example. Great idea! Sure. But all of that is Socialism in my book. How is it not?
If we do get a real viable public option, how is that not the slippery slope toward single payer? Fine! Say so. Declare it loud and proud.
When confronted by these charges, our politicians should simply tell the truth. It's socialism and its government mandated health care.
Oh, you don't want that? Then let's get real. Let's really do something about it. Let's kill Health Care Reform and more importantly get down to the real business of de-socializing America. Let's get serious and get rid of Social Security and Medicare once and for all. We can balance the budget and create a huge surplus overnight. Tax cuts for all.
I don't know why this isn't the response of any elected official when these primarily white angry people, and from the looks of them most of whom are over 65, start spouting off about Nazis, Socialism and death panels. Challenge them.
Force them to confront their fears and demand that THEY be consistent in their logic.
Raise your hand if you don't want socialism. OK now raise your hand if you are willing to give up your Social Security and your Medicare.
These are welfare programs for the elderly-plain and simple (and don't even start with that Trust Fund bullshit). Medicare IS Government Run Health Care. And both of these programs are SOCIALISM.