I could cover a lot of territory here, but will focus on health care.
Politically, we have a long way to go. The House bill squeaked by and who knows what the Senate will do. One thing we do know is that the Republicans will never vote for a fair bill that would give all Americans the care they need, especially a public option.
Health Care Insurance companies and drug companies are (a) scared to death of losing their obscene profits and (b) have so much money that they can buy a lot of votes, both Repubican and Democratic.
Money talks.
Yet it is the personal side that really worries me. Just a few examples:
--Many jobs don't offer heath insurance
--If you lose a job that does have health insurance, you are "allowed" to pay a very high monthly sum for a while via COBRA to keep the insurance.
--If you have no job and no money, there is sometimes free help for you. I applaud this (my daughter, son-in-law and my 5-year-old grandson are being helped by this after BOTH of their companies folded. However,just compare this to other countries which offer the same free care to everyone.
Now, I hear today that mammograms aren't necessary until you are 50 Sure would love to hear what Jane Hamsher of Firedoglake has to say about that!
I myself was lucky to get a mammogram in my early 40's, caught very early, just a lumpectomy that doesnt show and a short radiation treatment.
(Back in the good old days when it was all covered by insurance .
At any age, life is precious. My mother recently died at age 100 and every minute of her life was beautiful and meaningful. I am writing this with a really bad cold and how I miss the way she would rub my chest with Vick's Salve and give me a hot lemonade.
war kills people. Health care keeps people alive. The bottom line.