Novus Orsa

"New beginnings."

I am not a melodramatic person, as I hoped to show in my previous post. It is something that I have always tried to avoid.

I bring up the Latin phrase "Novus Orsa" because I will soon begin my second year of college. It seems like almost a lifetime has passed since my first year. So much has changed, even though the time that has passed is comparatively short. I will be turning 20 this school year, meaning the end of my childhood and teenage years. It is quite daunting to know that I will no longer have the teen moniker to rely on. Childhood was extraordinarily simple when compared to my life today. I suppose, however, that if we continually cling to childhood, we never mature. On the other hand, if we let our pasts go, we become somewhat detached from that which makes us whole. I suppose that striking the right balance between the two will be a necessary quest to undertake.

Now, I feel that I must talk about something that I have tried to avoid talking about: politics. Specifically, I would like to talk about the current health care debate raging in the United States. This is something that has become completely out of control. Facts have been skewered, belligerents lauded, fear mongered. There are many who are making judgments based on faulty knowledge. Sadly enough, Sarah Palin may be the epicenter for some of this misconception.

Sarah Palin, several weeks ago, posted a note on her facebook account stating (in her usual poorly-written English) that "my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's "death panel" so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their "level of productivity in society," whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil." Unfortunately, too many people now believe that "death panels" are, in fact, real and are protesting solely on that "fact." Others protest because they believe that this is "socialized medical care," and that socialized medical care will lead to something similar to the former Soviet Union. There are many other dubious objections to health care reform, but I will tackle those two main arguments.

First, the death panels. Palin was referring to "end of life consultation," which would involve Medicare paying doctors for counseling patients about end-of-life care, if the patient wishes. This involves creating a will (usually for the terminally ill), choosing a health care proxy, learning about optional pain medications, and having the options of utilizing hospices. The bill does not promote mercy killings or euthanasia, nor does it decide who lives and who dies. Palin was simply acting the agitator, as is prone to someone of her character.

Second, the Socialist issue. This is a rumor that has spread like a flame over gasoline. What Obama is proposing is a public OPTION. You can choose to retain the plan that you already have. The option is mainly for those who can not afford private options, such as college students, the unemployed, and workers not covered by their businesses. This, in no way, is a precursor to an authoritarian state. I shall make this point more explicit with logic.

The modern Democratic government is based on many years of political philosophers writing about what they believed was the best form of government. In almost every case (Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, etc.), the government is expected to do what is right and just for its people. Thus, a government should provide its people with health care, as a government is made to ensure the welfare and health of its people. Let us also analyze it this way: a private corporation is created to accrue profit at the expense of quality, though quality is always advisable. A government that is created and supported by an electorate has the responsibility of caring for every citizen. That, in essence, would include affordable (if not free) health care.

Those that have been misinformed should look to learn the facts on their own instead of listening to antagonistic pundits such as Sean Hannity, Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck. Don't even listen to Olbermann, or Chris Matthews, or any pundit. Make informed decisions for yourself. Read about the actual provisions of the health care bill and then judge.

There is no need for uncivilized conduct from those who do not agree with the health care bill. We are, after all, not an uncivilized people. I hope.

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