Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall...

Yeah, Bitch. Keep ridin' your rainbow pony...

* Health Care Is a Human Right "The United States is the only major nation in the industrialised world that does not guarantee healthcare as a right to its people. Meanwhile, we spend about twice as much per capita on healthcare and, in a wide number of instances, our outcomes are not as good as others that spend far less.

"It is time that we bring about a fundamental transformation of the American healthcare system. It is time for us to end private, for-profit participation in delivering basic coverage. It is time for the United States to provide a Medicare-for-all, single payer health coverage programme.

"Under our dysfunctional system, 45,000 Americans a year die because they delay seeking care they cannot afford. We spent 17.6% of our GDP on healthcare in 2009, which is projected to go up to 20% by 2020, yet we still rank 26th among major, developed nations on life expectancy, and 31st on infant mortality. We must demand a better model of health coverage that emphasises preventive and primary care for every single person without regard for their ability to pay."

So, actually putting economics and the financial sensibility of a single-payer healthcare system aside. And putting aside the fact that healthCARE and FOR-PROFIT healthCARE "insurance" are incompatible concepts. I want to contemplate something for a minute... I want to contemplate how it feels when someone believes in you. ESPECIALLY when you don't believe in yourself. How does it feel when someone stands up for you when you don't think you have what it takes to stand up for yourself. How does it feel when someone - a parent, a sibling, a friend, a teacher, anyone... even your dog... When they believe you to be better than you are.

Now, what if an entire community did that. Not leaving ANYONE out. What if that weren't an exception, but rather the rule...

I believe when people feel as though they're worth something to society. When they truly feel wanted and believed in... When they feel like they're part of the group. When they feel loved. They act accordingly. They show their worth. And actually, I bet they blossom and maybe even flourish.

And then, we're all better for it.

*********************************

Turkeys

"For 2 years, GOP leaders in Congress fought tooth and nail to oppose health care reform. They did their best to keep tens of millions without coverage, decrying any effort to help citizens as "socialist," "fascist" or some other equally baffling "ist." And incredibly, they are now talking about repealing it.

And yet, when it comes to their own coverage, Republicans in Congress are not only using government-sponsored health care, they are whining about having to wait for it."

Please sign this petition asking them to repeal their own health care. And why shouldn't they? They can't afford it on their own?

***************************************