Politics 101: It's All About Winning

It's all about winning! Let's face it, our political system is in tatters and everyone is to blame. Former Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards once mentioned that we'd become "two Americas", and he was right. Gone are the days of true democracy, where healthy and honest debate could conclude in compromise to benefit "we, the people." Those are among the very principles of what we pride ourselves upon, yet we disgrace them with our politics.

I'm forty five years old and have only been politically aware for the past twenty years or so, but I've learned a lot about how our system works in this time and I no longer feel pride in my government like I used to. I'd like to preface here that I consider myself a liberal. I am a gay person and I think it hypocritical to be any other way. I firmly believe in the ideals set forth in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution, but it is plain to see that much like the Bible, these sacred documents of American democracy has been very open to interpretation and thus has been the crux of many of our troubles.

The issues we face today are much more than healthcare, immigration, the economy, Afghanistan or Iraq. From what I see with my own eyes and ears, I can't help but feel a sense of hopelessness over what's become of our situation today. Yesterday's passage of the healthcare bill spurred a lot of articles on AC and elsewhere, from both sides of the fence, and reveals the great divide between the two Americas.

One of the hot button topics discussed right here on AC was a protest held in Washington by the Tea Party Movement. Allegedly, there was some pretty ugly protesting being done and I think we can all agree that if true, the actions taken by these folks would be considered deplorable by all of us. Though there was some sort of rebuttal by another writer, making valid points about how even if the allegations were true it wouldn't be fair to attack the whole movement, the comments left on the two pieces were very revealing about this division I speak of.

In the months since Obama has been President, I've seen many of the same arguments made against him as were made against his predecessor in the eight years prior to this Administration. The only difference I see is the validity of the two arguments.

Let's speak to the issue at hand today: healthcare reform. Way back in the early nineties, former President Bill Clinton tackled the issue (which shows how long this huge issue has been a problem). Unfortunately for him, Congress turned Republican in 1994 and he was eventually forced to concede the issue. Healthcare reform was put aside and was never even considered again until President Obama came into office.

One does not have to look far to see how this horrid system we've had has perpetrated undue hardship on our fellow Americans. Please take a look at this piece by fellow writer Maria Roth to see how someone many of us know considers herself lucky enough to have insurance as her young daughter Audrey battles a deadly disease. See how she must wage battle after battle with insurance companies to prove her claims are valid, taking away much needed attention to the care and worry about Audrey's health rather than the bills she's incurred to treat her disease.

Insurance companies are in business for one thing: to make a profit. In today's climate of profit above all else, no one wins. Though much aligned by those on the right, Michael Moore shows in his documentary Sicko authentic footage of the 1997 Congressional testimony of Linda Peeno, a former physician and insurance company executive:

"In the spring of 1987, as a physician, I denied a man a necessary operation that would have saved his life, and thus caused his death. No person and no group has held me accountable for this, because in fact what I did was save a company half a million dollars. ... I had one primary duty, and that was to use my medical expertise for the financial benefit of the organization for which I worked."

As Maria herself explains, though terribly difficult to deal with, she considers herself fortunate to at least have health insurance. Think about those millions of our compatriots who don't! One automobile accident, one terrible diagnosis, and they're either ruined financially or worse yet, eventually perish for lack of money for proper healthcare.

I find it incredible that these people who are so concerned about the financial implications of this new healthcare bill never uttered a word of protest during the Bush years. I consistently read and hear all of these stories about "financial disaster" and "taxation without representation", yet in the lead-up to the war in Iraq and afterwards not a sound of protest was uttered, at least not that I could hear.

The Tea Partiers certainly have a way of getting themselves noticed these days, but where were they when a 2000 surplus was turned into a record deficit in eight years? Where were they when $12 Billion went missing in Iraq? Or the numerous times when the Republican dominated Congress approved more and more billions of dollars to continue the war? Saving lives from terrorism must be more important than saving lives from sickness, though many more Americans have died from cancer than have died from terrorism.

Yes, taxes stink and much of the time they're not fair. In the county in which I live, property taxes are staggeringly high. The bulk of those taxes go to the school districts. I have no children, yet I must pay a high price simply to live in my home. I don't like it, and I don't think it's fair at all, but it's for the greater good. Knowing that even local politics plays Monopoly with my money, I have no control over it.

I give the Tea Partiers credit for their organization and their unified voice. I just don't agree with their message and their timing. Their fight against unfair taxation and spending is a worthy one, but not in this cause. Maybe if we'd never gone into Iraq we'd have the money to afford to get sick people the care that they deserve. As far as the particular bill is concerned, yes, like all other legislation it is mired in legal, non-understandable muck. But I believe that at least something was done to address this problem and we won't know the implications of it until years. Maybe, just maybe, though, some lives can be saved. Is that so terrible?

Personally, I think this is all about the other side not getting things done all in the name of gaining, or regaining power. If this legislation turns out to be a success, Obama looks good. Making him look bad works out better for those wishing to retake control of government, regardless of the potential it has to save lives. We're so concerned about the lives yet lived, yet we seem to care little for the ones that are already living.

And yes, it works the same on both sides. Government and politics stink to the highest of heavens, especially now that we've come to jumping to a cause that our side is fighting for (or against), just because we're on that team. Whatever happened to Team America?

Sources:

Not Exactly a Health Insurance Horror Story

Sicko: Michael Moore's Must See Film

Some Questions for Today's Protester

The Bush Years