I started working, and paying taxes, when I was 16. That was in 1982. Don’t do the math… suffice it to say it was a long time ago. All these years, I have had some of what I make deducted from my paycheck, whether I like it or not. My money is spent on whatever the government decides to spend it on, whether I like it or not. But it is my right as an American to SAY I don’t like it. And though I have never asked my government for a dime, I do not point my finger and judge those who do.
When I was a little girl I dreamed that one day I would be a mother… what never entered my mind was that life is not fair, and that children get sick. Out of all the talk-show worthy incidents I have lived through, having a doctor say a few sentences and change my life forever was the absolute worst.
I have ONE reason for wanting health care reform… it isn’t for myself, but it is a selfish reason all the same. My son has a chronic illness and I just want him to have more options than he does. His first option is being on disability, which is essentially living off American tax dollars and which also limits his income. Of course, he would get Medicaid, which seems to run fairly well, and is better than NOTHING, despite the fact that it is A GOVERNMENT RUN PROGRAM. The second option is finding an employer that will insure him and accomodate his disability, which is an unrealistic expectation for an employer.
My son is certainly smart enough to work for himself, when he is able, but in our current health care state, where the “pre-existing condition” loophole exists, he CANNOT get decent coverage as a private citizen. I just want that to change. There will be a day I cannot insure him through employment and that makes me feel helpless. I never claim to know enough about economics or government to suggest HOW we stop the insurance companies from holding us all hostage to premiums and deductables. How to help people like my husband who keep jobs for the insurance, even though they are underpaid and taken advantage of… something that has become such a common occurance that there is a term for it: Job Lock.
But I do know nothing happens without some serious discussion — by people who do know what they are talking about. But I am afraid that so many people are putting their own interest before the interest of the country as a whole, that the politicians will compromise the whole idea of health care refrom into something that benefits very few.
Whatever your opinion on health care, you have a right to it. But I hear a lot of people accusing fellow taxpayers like myself for wanting some kind of “free ride” and that is not fair.
I would prefer that no one ever have to worry about their child’s health care and their future, and if that means using MY tax money, fine. I will pay for your kids. I already pay for programs I DON’T agree with. Does that make me wrong? We all have reasons, not all of them financial, for our opinions on health care. And that is why intelligent discussion is needed.
Yelling in a town hall and getting personal is shallow and quite immature. It will only leave us in the same pathetic situation where we began. Not everything is black and white. If we want to solve anything, maybe we all should stop talking so much and start listening.
Feedback