As the American media shifts its myopic view away from the tragedy in Haiti for the next two days, and focuses on the potential earth-shaking Democratic debacle in Massachusetts, the President probably wishes that he would have thrown a few more ”Beer Summits” for the good citizens of the commonwealth during the last few months. Because it now seems likely that as the Democrats muster their forces in Lexington, Concord and elsewhere throughout that so-called bastion of liberality, the faltering campaign of Martha Coakley will fall victim to another “Tea Party.”
Whether or not the voters of the “Bay State” opt for a spot of tea or a pint of beer on Tuesday, it seems certain that the outcome will further America’s political partisan divide over the issue of healthcare reform. While I applaud most American’s ability to put aside our differences on behalf of the people of Haiti, I wish those same humanitarian impulses could also be applied to the care and wellbeing of our own citizens.
As for myself, I will raise a glass in the hopes that we can come together to build a healthcare system that is equitable and effective – in time to save a large portion of our population, like the people of Haiti, from being dependent upon the generosity and compassion of Doctors Without Borders!
Posted by: Chris Poh
“…a healthcare system that is equitable and effective…” is a sorrowful myth. The unfortunate fact is we are all born unequal especially when it concerns health and this does not improve with age.
The best you can do is to cover most of the people with adequate care. What does this mean? Those in power get great care while those in the middle get adequate care and the rest suffer except for the charity of humans and not government.
The worst is to give everyone care and cover no one. The meaning of this is those in power get great care while all others receive sub-adequate care. To improve this form of care we just change the stats to improve the looks – sort of like puttin’ on a fresh coat of paint.
If we just quit spending money on frivolous needs and save it for what we need then we can sit back and enjoy a brew from the pub.