I caught a segment on MSNBC with Robert Greenwald where they were talking about a new film by his company and decided to check it out. In this video there are three separate people who all have health care, they (or their children) had medical needs and those needs were denied by the health care companies. Meanwhile, the CEOs of the companies were making enough money in one HOUR to pay for 20 months of care for one of them. Check it out for yourself.
And the people in that film HAVE health insurance, so just imagine what someone like myself (who currently doesn't have health insurance) has to deal with if they get sick. There have been times when I've probably needed to go see a doctor for various issues, and I didn't go because I couldn't afford it. And while all of this is going on we have idiots like this trying to kill reform that would make it easier for people like me to get health care, and people like those in the video from getting adequate health coverage:
GLADNEY THE UNINSURED ACTIVIST.... Over the last few days, a conservative activist in St. Louis named Kenneth Gladney seems to have become something of a cause celebre in far-right circles. Depending on which version of events you choose to believe, Gladney either initiated or was involved in a scuffle at a town-hall event late last week. [Muzikal summary: the guy eventually went to the hospital claiming a bunch of injuries that didn't seem to be present at the scene]
[snip]
Yesterday, about 200 conservative activists held a protest outside the SEIU office in St. Louis. Gladney was there -- bandaged and in a wheelchair -- as a featured guest. Some of the activists held signs that read, "Don't Tread on Kenny." Reader R.D. alerted me to this tidbit in the local news account of the protest:
Gladney did not address Saturday's crowd of about 200 people. His attorney, David Brown, however, read a prepared statement Gladney wrote. "A few nights ago there was an assault on my liberty, and on yours, too." Brown read. "This should never happen in this country."
Supporters cheered. Brown finished by telling the crowd that Gladney is accepting donations toward his medical expenses. Gladney told reporters he was recently laid off and has no health insurance. [emphasis added by WM]
Considering that man doesn't have health insurance, you'd think he'd be less willing to go to the hospital to get what is apparently unnecessary care. (Or is the RNC footing the bill for a new Joe the Plumber?)
Meanwhile in Congress, they are playing more of the same tired political games that killed health care before. In 2008 the American people had an opportunity to vote for a health care system when they elected President Obama. It's not like his plans for health care reform were a huge secret as health care was one of the largest issues in the campaign. We knew where he stood, America knew where he stood, and he still won by a hefty margin. Now we are being told that his plan won't work because Congress (which the Dems now control) won't get off of its ass. The House seems to be doing its part, the problem is (once again) the Senate. While they play games and throw political punches back and forth over what is and isn't American, people like me are living year to year without those annual check ups that President Obama claimed were so necessary during the campaign. I honestly can't even remember the last time I went to the doctors office. I got by in law school using the campus clinic, but now that I've graduated that's no longer an option.
This isn't all President Obama's fault, he's just a man. We get that. While it's a bit disheartening to see him walking back certain campaign promises, I'm honestly used to it by now. It's not nearly as "heartbreaking" as it was the first time (and yes, I know he's done lots of good stuff too). However, President Obama has put the burden on his own shoulders, if we don't get real health care, it will be his fault. People won't place the blame at the feet of Congress, or the so-called "protesters" that are stifling debate and slowly killing reform. The blame will be placed at his feet. In recognition of this, the WH has created a new website called Reality Check where they attempt to finally tamp down the rumors, lies, and mistruths that are going around about the current plans for health care reform. If you have a slow computer, go to the FAQ section to see the answers written out.
Again, the people in the video above HAVE insurance and we see the hell they are dealing with, so just imagine how tough it is for those of us who DON'T.