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Health care debate is the American way
Mon, Aug 10 2009 03:30 PM
| health care, reform, democracy
| Permalink
You Tube offers an eye-opening view into the health-care debate that has both sides screaming "unAmerican" at each other. Opponents of the Democratic reform plan say members of Congress are hiding and lying about the cost and new government control of health care access and services. Supporters say the opponents are unwitting tools of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.
Watch online an officious and sarcastic AARP functionary in Dallas show contempt for her members and then flee a meeting. Watch Democratic Arizona Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick try to turn a town-hall meeting into a series of quiet, one-on-one interviews and then give up before an increasingly raucous crowd. Watch Democratic New York Rep. Tim Bishop show amazing patience in a meeting with angry citizens feeding on each other's frustrations with the health care legislation, the cap-and-trade energy bill and the federal bailouts while protesters chant outside.
Despite accusations from inside the Beltway that the angry men and women are agents of the big health care business, they generally appear to be average voters, generally of the Republican stripe. Sure, some seem uninformed or misinformed, but that's neither unusual nor a disqualification. Some are rude and bullying, some are respectful.
In every case, these men and women took time to take their fear and anger to their member of Congress. It's fair to demand that your representative explain why he or she voted for a bill. If these meetings are uncomfortable, that's the way democracy works. Washington may be mahogany and cocktails. The district is paneling and diet Coke.
Most members of Congress should be up to the challenge. Rep. Kirkpatrick clearly was trying to find a way to avoid being shouted down. With a different room and better staff, she might succeed. If she had persisted in the meeting shown on You Tube, her opponents probably would have given her credit for trying. In Rep. Bishop's case, his fortitude displayed itself. Every time the crowd seemed too much to handle, he stopped talking until the crowd quieted.
This is a messy way to do business. The business of health-care insurance reform – and that's the part of the industry that really needs to be blown up – is radical and difficult. It will not be easy. It will be worth it.
Watch online an officious and sarcastic AARP functionary in Dallas show contempt for her members and then flee a meeting. Watch Democratic Arizona Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick try to turn a town-hall meeting into a series of quiet, one-on-one interviews and then give up before an increasingly raucous crowd. Watch Democratic New York Rep. Tim Bishop show amazing patience in a meeting with angry citizens feeding on each other's frustrations with the health care legislation, the cap-and-trade energy bill and the federal bailouts while protesters chant outside.
Despite accusations from inside the Beltway that the angry men and women are agents of the big health care business, they generally appear to be average voters, generally of the Republican stripe. Sure, some seem uninformed or misinformed, but that's neither unusual nor a disqualification. Some are rude and bullying, some are respectful.
In every case, these men and women took time to take their fear and anger to their member of Congress. It's fair to demand that your representative explain why he or she voted for a bill. If these meetings are uncomfortable, that's the way democracy works. Washington may be mahogany and cocktails. The district is paneling and diet Coke.
Most members of Congress should be up to the challenge. Rep. Kirkpatrick clearly was trying to find a way to avoid being shouted down. With a different room and better staff, she might succeed. If she had persisted in the meeting shown on You Tube, her opponents probably would have given her credit for trying. In Rep. Bishop's case, his fortitude displayed itself. Every time the crowd seemed too much to handle, he stopped talking until the crowd quieted.
This is a messy way to do business. The business of health-care insurance reform – and that's the part of the industry that really needs to be blown up – is radical and difficult. It will not be easy. It will be worth it.
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