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Labor Day News Flash
As I was pulling my Labor Day weekend brain cells back to consciousness with my first morning cup of coffee, I saw the scroll. “Tony Orlando concert postponed in New Jersey amid fears of Hurricane Earl aftermath.” I almost flew out of my chair. I watched for a few more moments to make sure it was real. It was. It scrolled at least five more times across the national news screen giving folks the news we apparently needed to have to begin the weekend.
What did not scroll? What never scrolls? “123 innocents in America died today because they didn’t get the healthcare they needed, and they were very sick.” I have never seen that news reported.
When I was a kid, we used to see the Viet Nam war (it was a war to me, not a conflict) death toll every night at the top of the evening news. Right there behind Chet and David. And seeing that death count made me acutely aware that people were dying. It alerted me to a number that I needed to care about. Though I was young and should have been listening to my transistor radio or my 45s or hanging out with my friends, I watched that news report every night because the insistent dead bothered me.
The insistent dead of our healthcare neglect bother me now. I cannot stop seeing the number as if it were scrolling. I see it and feel it. People die because they couldn’t pay a co-pay soon enough or they didn’t have a job and the money to buy coverage or access to a government plan soon enough to access help. 123 people – at least – dead because they didn’t get the care they needed. Care was available – we just refused to let them have it. We knew they would die. We killed them.
So, I guess I do not understand why the Tony Orlando concert postponement rates the national scroll.
It’s Labor Day weekend. Over these three days, at least 369 Americans will be dead because the barriers to their healthcare needs were too great to overcome. They were killed by greed. They were killed by indifference.
Are we tired of the healthcare debate? It wore us out? Politics needed to shift gears? An election is coming. Taxes are too high for some and not high enough for others. Peace in the Middle East is always on the cusp. War in the Middle East is too. Someone wants to cut Social Security. Someone wants welfare moms to stop being so. America needs reclaiming, say some. The dream still lives, say others.
What dream? What to reclaim? This weekend, 369
dead neighbors and friends, moms and dads, sons and daughters, brothers,
sisters. Dead without healthcare in America. Dead without care that
was available to others. Dead because we decided by our inaction and
ignorance of blame that they should die.
Health insurance is not health care. Health insurance is a financial product marketed and sold to protect health and wealth which may do neither thing very well. I view it as a defective product. Yet, very soon we will be buying more of it and helping more of our fellow Americans buy more of it with the subsidies that support the great health insurance bailout that is being called "patient protection." What we need is an end to the protection of profits first - we need to provide a progressively financed, single standard of high quality care for all. We need to stop killing patients through our failed policy and protect them with our shared humanity.
But please don’t head to that Tony Orlando concert in Jersey. That would be unpleasant to drive all that way only to find you couldn’t hear, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree,” one more time. Stay home. And if you or someone you love feels sick and can access care, at least spend a moment remembering the 369, OK?
25 Comments so far
Show AllIt's always a trade off:
More people have to get sick and die so more insurance companies can be healthy
or
More insurance companies have to get sick and die so more people can be healthy
I choose the latter.
which will it be? want to take bets?
This is the thinking that gets us into this mess in the first place. It is not an either / or trade off. Health Insurance companies do not have to "die" in order that Americans can have access to health care ... their shareholders and CEOs just have to get a little less of a return each year.
"their shareholders and CEOs just have to get a little less of a return each year."
True but that doesn't stop the companies as a whole from denying health care to increase their bottomline. You need to know more about the evils of insurance companies and why we need to minimize their dominance even if that means splatting them out. This is the only industrial nation where government does not provide universal health care for all.
>>
Yet, very soon we will be buying more of it and helping more of our fellow Americans buy more of it with the subsidies that support the great health insurance bailout that is being called "patient protection."
<<
And, the insurance companies will write worthless policies with enormous deductibles that will cost families $700 a month for which the taxayers will be forced to provide a $200 a month subsidy.
People who cannot afford health care insurance will now be required to lay out $500 a month in order to purchase these policies which will not cover them adequately. If they cannot pay the IRS will impose hefty fines.
In order to finance these mandated purchases providing enormous profits to insurance companies all those required to make these purchases will need to give up paying rent or eating or paying utility bills or some combination of such items. Hey, we all need to sacrifice, right?
People will be homeless, living in the streets, but, fortunately, insurance company profits will increase. And, thankfully, we will avoid "socialist entitlement programs" in the bargain.
Reverend Wright was correct.
I totally agree about Rev. Wright.He said what needed to be said, what Obama was afraid merely to hear said.
Too bad Wright acted like an idiot at that awards ceremony - it really cost him. I could understand his contempt for the silliness of it and of the interviewer m-c there, but he screwed up. Still, what he said in that big speech was brilliant.
I just joined the group of uninsured people who having entered 'old age' have some serious health problems. I have a choice to make. I think Reverend Wright was correct to preach that we are all worthy of care because according to liberation theology we all are made from the same wonderful cloth by the same loving creator. I like to believe that no matter what happens to me that I will be welcome, because wherever I am going, is a much better place than here.
Dear CT:
you are scaring me a little. I hope I'm not misundrstanding, but what did you mean by "I have a choice to make." I know that having no health care is awful, but are you o.K.?
I apologize for that. Nothing to be afraid of here. Just very saddened that our leaders continue to treat us with such disrespect. People of different means can live with dignity. It all hinges on caring for each other. Take care of your self, Stardust!
Dear CT ;
I'm happy to hear that, because I kept checking back and didn't see anything. Thank you for answering. I was worried about you.
This tells you the news is not really about what you need to know but what they want you to know. We have a world of phony debates daily fomented by the news media. They are the modern version of bread and circuses. I grew up remembering vividly the haunting images of Appalachia because my family is from there. There is poverty right here in America to go with the lack of health care. Tonight on the news will be some well meaning celebrity who wants us to give to save the starving children somewhere in Africa. We forget 1 out 4 American children suffer the same fate. We talk of family values while supporting a form of globalization that destroys families. It creates unemployment and broken families in America and puts thirteen year old girls in China and other places to work making expensive basketball shoes. Our leaders will claim this is providing opportunity when we all know if we think about it that thirteen year old girls belong in school if we are really providing opportunity. It is time for a third party in America that will bring the real change to our nation that the Republicrats and Dempublicans never will because the Rich have bought and paid for them.
Donna, The Vietnam vet's are still dieing because of the war. I am what is called a bluewater Vietnam veteran, I was there but I didn't put boots on the ground even though I have DM2 and prostate cancer and who knows what else. Our government is corrupt to the core and we don't know how to stop it.
It's hard to admit the country you've loved has joined the evil empire and is taking away the rights and privileges we had taken all too much for granted. Get use to it Americans, it'll only keep getting worse until, as a nation, we rise up and throw the bums out who keep working against our interests and for their own greedy profits. Minus that, we will crumble like all evil empires crumble.
This is a great article by someone who is putting out the (shock to the power elites and too much the exception)) the viewpoint of those of working class background, which is my background.
The health insurance industry is slime and a rip off.
AD
JUST "Tony Orlando", eh?
He probably had to downsize his act because he couldn't afford to pay for "Dawn"'s health insurance.
Donna writes..." Are we tired of the healthcare debate? It wore us out?"
We never had a debate. This type of debate is strictly forbidden by the puppet masters (re:corporate sponsors) of our mainstream media. I know that Donna knows this too. I have followed Donna's articles over the years and she is a true patriot. I adore her persistence at getting the same message out while trying to find a new approach with each and every article she pens.
Though universal healthcare (Canadian style) should be at the top of any election debate, it is completely absent when the debate involves a Republican and a Democrat. Corporate sponsorship is denied to any political candidate who dares to undermine the healthcare mafia. Media coverage is also denied.
What is needed is a national register of people who demand single-payer healthcare with candidate specific list of where they stand on this issue and their corporate sponsors. This national register could at least help people decide whether any of their district's candidates unequivocally support the immediate dismantling of this criminal organization know as private healthcare. This must be done as soon as possible as well before powerful special interests undermine our unrestricted access to the internet. We could start in our own neighborhoods, take small ads out in the local newspapers, speak at public events, church's and at the workplace. We wouldn't label it as Democrat or Republican, left or right or any other reference that the MSM loves to use. Instead we would label it as patriotic, a desire to save Americans and fight organized crime. People would come to the realization on their own who the real culprits are as they watch the elite spew out the usual weapons of mass misinformation.
If this silent majority can't be heard, then it is time to draw up a new constitution that truly addresses the current evils of our society while delivering democracy to the general public.
Donna, if you're reading this, allow me to give my apologies for being angry at you a few months ago. Whatever party you supported, it's ok. You did what you could to fight for health care since you're dedicated the most to the issue. I was just angry that nobody ever gives credit to people who tried to make it to office that supported single payer health care but were locked out. You would be surprised to find out Ross Perot's endorsement of single payer health care in 1992. Hillary stole his idea and created a twisted version in her package that failed anyway. Obama did the same thing in 2003 when he lied about his promise to fight for single payer and then opposed it once he became senator and later president. For 20 years, we've had no success at health care reform and I don't see any chances of it for the next 20 years that I hope to be alive. As I continue to say, we might just have to allow this empire to crumble before smart people like you can have your ideas heard. Once again, my apologies to going hard on you and good luck in your future efforts. God bless you.
Keep fighting the good fight, Donna!
If one googles economic justice there are different organizations working to help labor and help make celebration of Labor Day meaningful. I remember the old saying "the revolution will not be televised." True. But Never Give Up. Fight Back with whatever resources you can find for fighting back. Kudos to Common Dreams for their labor__ giving us numerous articles and the resources beneath the articles for helping us in this very protracted struggle for Peace and Justice.
Dear Donna Smith, a poem for you to replace the Tony Orlando headline:
"A Stitch in Time..."
from stardust.
On Labor day, oh Labor Day,
so many have no work.
We watch from sidelines as Fat Cats
eat all---won't give a burp!
For human labor built this land,
and NOT that street named WALL!
Walt Whitman sang of strength and work,
and yet we've lost it all.
Jack London wrote THE IRON HEEL,
of fascist dangers warned.
And Mother Jones took on big coal,
those money sharks, she stormed!
For Unions, yes, they gave to us
safe food and work and pay.
And let us also praise to them,
they gave the 8 hour day!
Those Pinkertons, they shot at crowds,
killed families, children too.
It seems Fat Cats, they did not learn,
"Do unto others," true.
Our jobs, Fat Cats export in mass,
their monies kept off shore!
So Biblically, they have become,
that Babylonian whore!
I heard we had a leader once,
in laws, this FDR.
he showed us once, let's do it now!
We're WHO we think we ARE!
Not helpless like those oil slicked birds,
like turtles, anger burns.
Those oysters die within their shells,,
will humans take their turn?
Do not wave flags, nor quote old words,
nor make a talking point!
When hunger fills the guts of all,
there's rumble in this joint!
Divide and conquer, they will try
with blame upon the masses,
but THEY have gone on much too long!
It's time to kick some asses!
I do not seek for blood in streets.
I want Fat Cats to pay.
So make the dollars count this time
and play the Fat Cats' way.
Modest proposal---I submit,
for Fat Cats,---US, they diss!
They think people are just mere mouths
and haven't any wits.
So I propose a spending spree
at Corporate Big Box stores.
Then buy, and buy and buy and buy,
till money is no more.
But then, next day, you'll find great flaws
in all that foreign stuff,
and junk will all return in mass,
of CRAP---we've had enough!
Then overtime for workers sweat,
in putting stuff away.
Remind Fat Cats, consumers too
can find a game to play!
For once there was America,
built by a class unbound!
Ignore us and our human rights,
Republic---it goes down!***
Did you write this? It's very, very good. A mini-Epic poem!
Dear NedB:
Thank you, yes, it is a product of my brain which thinks in 8/6 meter. Inspired by the rhythm of Emily and the history of Howard, plus the in-your-face facts of Ralph, I rage on!
The healthcare system is degraded to a point that palliative care is all that is available for a growing number of people, eer patients, err, customers, I guess I'll stop there. Donna Smith you have great courage!!
When Obama ran I listened and there was hope. Immediately the closure of Guantanamo is announced and things are looking up. Then the Health care announcement wow here we go!! The first rude shock was ( After getting over the denial) that single payer would not be viewed much less debated. Then the public option was discarded like something a puppy does on the rug. DADT not now. Card check whats that. Financial reform the lead fighter for weakening the bill Obama. Elizabeth Warren do not name her. Lets drill deep in the Gulf --oh oh-- All this and I have not mentioned Afghanistan, maybe we can roll some more troops in next year.
Please do a story on what we can do next. Everything I see in the future looks like a nightmare.