I've watched in disbelief how the "debate" about healthcare reform has morphed into something very ugly. The Republicans are obviously to blame for allowing the rhetoric to spiral out of control. But the Democrats are to blame for doing a poor job of message control.
The murder by spreadsheet industry must be in disbelief, "also."
Unless you're a political junkie on either side of the debate, here's how the average American likely sees the debate:
* The Democrats want to "reform" the
cost of healthcare through some sort of government regulations or public plan. This is because our current system is "inefficient."
* The biggest problem is that illegal aliens are demanding they receive free healthcare.
* Occasionally, people run into red tape with their healthcare plans, dealing with issues like pre-existing conditions or tests that are denied.
* The government wants to take over healthcare because THEY can CONTROL the cost of healtcare by having the power to dictate what doctors can and can't do.
* Current healthcare plans provide excellent care for the elderly, providing all sorts of care that makes their golden years very enjoyable. But the government plan wouldn't spend exorbitant amounts of money for say, a hip replacement for a man who obviously only has a few years left. This is just common sense cost management.
* The current healthcare insurance companies are providing excellent care to its customers. Unfortunately, some people don't have access to this wonderful care.
Here's what the Democrats SHOULD be talking about and I can't believe I haven't heard ONE thing about it, except in one speech by Nancy Pelosi:
It's not just about providing healthcare to millions of people who don't have it. It's about corrupt private health insurance corporations and how they treat their customers who do have coverage.
It's not about giving free healthcare to all illegal immigrants looking for a free ride. It's about corrupt private health insurance corporations.
It's not about deciding how to treat senior citizens. In fact it has NOTHING to do with senior citizens because they already have Medicare, a government run program. It's about corrupt private health insurance corporations.
It's not about tweaking the cost of healthcare. It's about corrupt private health insurance corporations.
It's not about abortions. It's about corrupt private health insurance corporations.
It's not about Hitler. It's about corrupt private health insurance corporations.
It's not about Pelosi and Reid not giving Congress enough time to read the bill. It's about corrupt private health insurance corporations.
It's not about taking away our freedoms. It's about corrupt private health insurance corporations.
It's not about shredding the Constition. It's about corrupt private health insurance corporations.
It's not about [insert today's inflammatory GOP/murder by spreadsheet industry talking point]. It's about corrupt private health insurance corporations.
If Democrats are being "nice" to the corrupt private health insurance corporations in the interest of working out a "bipartisan" plan in the spirit of free enterprise, it's time to stop. When they've started comparing our president to Hitler and letting people believe we want to kill their grandparents, it's time to stop being nice.