OpEdNews - Page 2 of Article: Common Sense Health Care; Individualism or the Commonweal

Individuals intolerant of government have a great support system. The Press, who loves to stir the pot, pours out prose to incite. Glenn Beck, who thinks himself inspired by the original work of Thomas Paine makes "A Case Against an Out-of-Control Government." This independent maverick ignores the words written by the man he, and other anti-Administration protagonists, thinks a prophet. Perchance, the Broadcaster missed the passage,

"Many circumstances have, and will arise, which are not local, but universal, and through which the principles of all lovers of mankind are affected, and in the event of which, their affections are interested., is the Author."

A fondness for one's fellow man is rarely found in Mister Beck's rhetoric. Indeed, he has arguably fueled the flame of fury, divided the people, and contrary to the case for a central government, Glenn Beck has ignited a fire in defiance of the Paine doctrine. In the name of a need to preserve and protect the public's rights, the modern Author misconstrued Paine's original text. Announcer Beck has chosen individualism. He ensured that his economic future is secure and rejected the reality of the commonweal.

Writer Peggy Noonan, on the other hand,while not a supporter of causes that advocate for the common welfare, did at least speak of the public as a whole. She muses; American's are reluctant to accept reforms. "Resistance" explains the disdain for a policy change. Countrywide the mood has been altered. "The crash gave everyone a diminished sense of their own margin for error. It also gave them a diminished sense of their country's margin for error. Americans are not in a chance-taking mood." Perhaps, Ms Noonan is [politically] correct. Ostensibly, it would seem the former Ronald Reagan speechwriter is "right."

Today, few Americans have faith. What they once thought was common sense has proven not to be the case. The people trusted what earlier Administration's proclaimed. However, contrary to what a past President and authoritative candidates said, all was not well in the United States. The Economy (was not) Strong Enough to Handle Turmoil. The number of uninsured Americans increased by nearly 8 million during the Bush Administration. Perhaps, cognitive dissonance is contagious.

The Commonweal Crumbles As Individualist Chide
Citizens live in a country. The American people reside in communities, and yet, most are concerned with only me, myself, and I. People ponder their personal circumstances, and those of their corporations. What is truth for persons in the business world affects us all.

No longer willing to believe in government, let alone a new Administration, proprietors who invested in smaller companies think to save themselves from Federal control. Shop owners say they do not want Uncle Sam to oversee or own insurance options. For these tycoons,competition in the private insurance industry is preferred. As individuals these Chief Executives ignore the veracity that they too will pay for the pain they reap onto the public and their personnel. The cost to companies will be nearly $2.4 trillion dollars for workers health care costs in the next decade.

The decision to emphasize earnings will have other effects. The Congressional Budget Office concluded "Employers who offer to pay for health insurance pay less in wages and other forms of compensation than they otherwise would, keeping total compensation about the same "

The phenomenon known as "job lock" is also often lost in critical conversations related to health care reform. The American people, supervisors, and subordinates are disconnected from the details until the day when they suddenly are affected or afflicted. A healthy staffer rarely thinks of the time when he or she might become ill or be injured and feel imprisoned by a job that provides health care benefits. Professional passageways may be closed when insurance coverage becomes more important than the quality of life. Nor, does a vigorous staffer remember medical care coverage can be retroactively removed.

Recipients Receive Government Medical Care and Reject Reform
Recipients of Medicare also disregard associations. Rather than think of the generations they gave birth to people who benefit from the Federal plan speak loudly of their opposition to government managed health care programs. This seems contrary to common sense,, since these same individuals are joyous with what they receive. This dichotomy offers little but a larger puzzle. Where is the Common Sense? Many love what they have and loathe the possibility that others may profit from the exact same program!

In America, our countrymen have adopted an alternative democracy, one devoid of universal concerns. Unlike centuries ago, when a now popular Pamphleteer professed the need for a collaborative collective, in recent decades, by design, Americans have come to think of "me" first. Citizens are critical of the text that advocates for the commonweal, while they embrace its original author, Thomas Paine.

How might this have occurred? Children in the "United" States no longer study civics. The subject has been removed from schools curriculums.. The cost of such classes was thought too high. The lessons were not learned at home. Parents had to pay the price for a culture that does not cultivate a strong sense of community. Much of our common history, and perchance, common sense has been lost.

Awareness for the predicament of our fellow Americans is absent. Frequently,, people in this "affluent" country are detached from what they rather not believe exists. Prosperous people, those who are, for now, content with their health care coverage, believe that those who lack medical insurance are impoverished. The general public presumes people who do not work are by choice without coverage. Few can fathom what occurs when a free clinic opens its doors for a day. In Houston,thousands of employed individuals turned out in search of medical treatment that they could afford.

Salvage Common Sense
If Americans are to embrace common sense as they say they wish to, we, the people must decide. Does duplicity define us? Will we choose to work as one; or we once again serve only our self-interest.

Reform can expand the options for all and sacrifice none. If Americans again hold dear the notion of the social equality, some citizens could state, I am happy with my employer-provided health care plan. Others may prefer to opt for a government program. A few could conclude, I will cover myself, eat well, exercise regularly, and escape most every illness. It matters not which plan individuals choose. When we work together we serve the commonweal and act on the axioms Thomas Paine set forth.

In America, should we decide to conserve the commonweal, retain consumption as the rule, establish that indeed we are rugged individualists, or reform our ways. Will Americans waste not and want not? Could the original thought transcribed in Common Sense once again be our greater truth? What will 2009 bring; more rants, rallies, or reason? Only the approved insurance reform Bill will reveal which common sense approach Americans are willing to adopt.

Health Care Reform References . . .