An Open Letter to Barak Obama:
I sat on my couch on the day you were elected. I had my cell phone in my hands to call my friends and family, and my little one was napping upstairs.
On your inauguration, I wrote ( here. ) I knew we were ushering in something else- a strong wind after a season of fall- to blow it all away and get ready for the long, winter ahead. I told everyone that would listen, “This is for my Ava. You’re coming to fix it for our children.” Never before have I felt such hope for my toddler’s future. It was a sigh, and a thought that was long overdue, “We. Matter.” I’m part of the circus that’s turned you into some-sort-of political savior. We watched in horror as you fumbled over your words on the late show, but forgave you because finally, someone wasn’t robotic, but human- with human errors, (that didn’t kill thousands in war, or help big businesses hurt the little guys.) It’s like you even know, a calculated move, a risk- and you could see exactly how we’d react. We bounced back. (And I hear you have a bowling duel on your hands, eh?)
This morning I read you were going to pass that ‘pesky’ health care bill that most of us were praying for. I was supposed to already be in the doctor a few weeks ago, but because of my insurance, and the fear of not being able to pay whatever bill comes from a visit, (even with insurance,) I haven’t gone. I’m alive because of state health care, it’s true.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I had hyperemesis- a debilitating condition that affects all areas of your life. I was incredibly depressed, very, very sick, and lost my job and home because I couldn’t take care of myself, (by myself.) I was constantly throwing up, and losing weight. Ava was at risk. Then- miracle pills. Zofran and Reglan, ($25.00 a pill- 2x a day,) saved me. I didn’t have to worry about keeping the child in me safe by myself. Our tax dollars saved my pregnancy, and my sanity. I was able to go back to work.
Then? Years later- Cancer. I had no way to take care of the doctor bills by myself. Tax dollars again, allowed me to apply for emergency insurance. I got the operations I needed, the follow-up care, and because of the quick action of the doctors, I lost less than half my cervix. As the years creep by, I know they will have to take more and more out, (as the type I have usually returns in the form of changing cells.) Hope, again- was provided.
Article about Changing Healthcare
How long have you been in office? Months. In months- Some insurers, (because of increasing pressure,) are now stating that people with pre-existing conditions can pay the same rates as people without. “This is a major step, and it changes everything about how the market works,” Ignagni told USA TODAY. Insurers, she said, are prepared to “offer coverage to everyone who applies.”
I know you’ll receive flak and remarks from our elite- the ones who make $250k. People will tell you that it’s not fair for you to decide how their money is spent, or that they owe more simply because they make more. Have we heard it enough; that we’re a culture of greed and possessions? Certainly, you’ll tell them to look outward, to those that are struggling. Those that make that money are not the ones who are holding our country up. They are few, we are many.
It’s been months- mere weeks, and look at what’s happening. I thought maybe it was fear to those defiant of change. Maybe it was your wife’s hands in the White House’s lawn, planting seeds to provide fresh produce to the area’s needy. Maybe we’re all becoming a little different.
Everyone’s waiting for failure. We’ll build you up, only to criticize you for every action, inaction or thought in-between. What people don’t realize is that when something is doomed to failure, self-realized-success is a mere miracle. You’re speeding up the process and letting people see the things we cannot begin to fault about you- tenacity, humanity, and grace.
Just don’t get caught up in it. I’ll be the first to tell you that I’d hate to see my tax dollars funding a private insurance company so they can ‘afford’ to ensure everyone. (While they pay their executives millions in bonuses.) I know we’re not ready for (gasp) Socialized healthcare yet. But I also think that we’re sick of supporting companies that should be doing their jobs correctly anyway. Giving them the money, from our pockets, for the ‘privilege’ of them insuring those of us with pre-existing conditions is basically feeding the beast. It’s telling Cigna, United Health Partners, and BlueCross BlueShield that it’s alright to rake in millions and refuse to drop their profit for the good of the American people. (Read: Greed.) It’s exactly what the banking industry was doing, and look where it’s gotten us.
I have no doubt that lobbyists are convincing. I have no doubt that some of our members of Congress have already been bought with golden calves. But, I also don’t doubt you. Don’t toss your laser vision just yet. See through it. Keep pushing for what is right, and don’t settle for the mediocrity of half-way, (while only benefitting Big Insurance.)
“Business has been dying a slow death, but today government has dealt the final blow. The free hand of the market is too slow to respond to the over the top swipe by the collectivists. Sadly, we will all pay for this power grab.… Manhattan. Manhattan. The boom of Manhattan will envelop us all. Shall we burn to save humanity, or burn humanity to heed the righteous call? I can’t find the answers in this darkness, I can’t feel Miss Liberty’s last breath. It’s too late cried the watchmen, your fire’s burnt out; bar none from the safety of regulation. And so through these heavy bars do I peek, but never again of tyranny do I speak.” – S.S.
Sheep in Wolf’s clothing, Mr. Obama, but you already know that.
