2008 Woodie Awards
Universal healthcare responsible decision
Lauren Pound
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: Opinions
As a Bush supporter during both the 2000 and 2004 elections, it took a lot of courage to watch Michael Moore's new movie "Sicko" after a friend spent a lot of time trying to convince me to go.
To many Republicans, Michael Moore is public enemy number one now that Saddam is out of the picture. After watching his previous documentaries, I had my guard up going into "Sicko," and I was prepared for anything this crazy communist was going to throw at me. But something happened that night after I watched the movie, something so miraculous it was almost on par with Moses parting the Red Sea. As a lifelong Republican voter, I agreed with Michael Moore.
After watching the movie, I was torn. How could I maintain my basic political beliefs that are libertarian, right-leaning values and still think universal health care is a good idea?
I came across this crazy idea by a man named John Locke called the Social Contract theory. According to Locke, the people of a nation subject themselves to government in exchange for social order. This government protects its people from external and internal threats, and in turn, the people allow that government to exist.
It clicked, I had the basic justification that universal health care is in league with the ideas of democracy and not just relegated to communist nations.
If, according to the social contract theory, a government exists to protect its people form threats, why shouldn't the government also be expected to protect its people from threats to their health?
Too many of us are scared of the idea of universal health care simply because it has the label of "socialism" attached to it. Our generation is not that far removed from the Red Scare of the Cold War. We are the last generation that will remember when communism did not just exist in Latin America and Southeast Asia. We were alive when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. On Christmas Day in 1991, we watched on television as the Soviet Union ceased to exist.
To many Republicans, Michael Moore is public enemy number one now that Saddam is out of the picture. After watching his previous documentaries, I had my guard up going into "Sicko," and I was prepared for anything this crazy communist was going to throw at me. But something happened that night after I watched the movie, something so miraculous it was almost on par with Moses parting the Red Sea. As a lifelong Republican voter, I agreed with Michael Moore.
After watching the movie, I was torn. How could I maintain my basic political beliefs that are libertarian, right-leaning values and still think universal health care is a good idea?
I came across this crazy idea by a man named John Locke called the Social Contract theory. According to Locke, the people of a nation subject themselves to government in exchange for social order. This government protects its people from external and internal threats, and in turn, the people allow that government to exist.
It clicked, I had the basic justification that universal health care is in league with the ideas of democracy and not just relegated to communist nations.
If, according to the social contract theory, a government exists to protect its people form threats, why shouldn't the government also be expected to protect its people from threats to their health?
Too many of us are scared of the idea of universal health care simply because it has the label of "socialism" attached to it. Our generation is not that far removed from the Red Scare of the Cold War. We are the last generation that will remember when communism did not just exist in Latin America and Southeast Asia. We were alive when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. On Christmas Day in 1991, we watched on television as the Soviet Union ceased to exist.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 8
news across the neocon empire
posted 12/03/07 @ 4:54 AM CST
Well universal health care is just good common sense.
Here in Australia (and yes Australia is a democracy -- they just voted the right wing completely out of office)-- the people love their socialized medical system. (Continued…)
rgj
posted 12/03/07 @ 8:16 AM CST
You make some good points. I've never really thought about some the things you said in your column. I have an increasing suspicion that the American public has been lied to regarding universal health care. (Continued…)
jacksmith
posted 12/03/07 @ 10:23 PM CST
The #1 cause of injury, disability, and DEATH in America is, Health Care. More people die now from contact with the American Medical Health Care system than from any other cause of death. (Continued…)
jacksmith
posted 12/03/07 @ 10:25 PM CST
Below are a few reasons why "HR 676 Single Payer Not For Profit Universal Health Care For All (Medicare For All) is a no-brainer. And some reasons why private for profit health insurance is a stupid idea, and injuring, and killing you and your loved ones. (Continued…)
John Kirkland
posted 12/04/07 @ 6:13 AM CST
Being a little older and wiser now I want government to be AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE and IN AS LITTLE OF MY LIFE AS POSSIBLE. You are walking down a dangerous path. (Continued…)
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