Climate change is not on the agenda

[dampscribbler]

Okay, I know today's Blog Action Day is supposed to be blahgers blahging about climate change, and I know it's an important issue and I do, in fact care.

But.

I just came from a room full of 10 people in varying states of illness, all of whom are lucky enough to have some insurance right now so they can get treated.  I cannot violate confidentiality by giving details, but a brief discussion of healthcare came up, and pretty much everyone in the room had, at one time or another, either
- gone in to debt to care for their health
- neglected their health due to the inability to afford insurance or treatment
or
- both. 

The fact of the matter is that our elected representatives are watering down legislation that could lead to the citizens of this country being treated humanely.  We need to be talking about healthcare for EVERYONE, and I think maybe it's time we dropped everything else for a while until we can get this damn thing right.

Comments

[hhw]

sadly, I think we have equal chance of serious progress on either front. that is, none. though my definition of progress on healthcare reform requires abolishing insurance companies as they currently exist, so I admit I've set the bar somewhat above sea level after Antarctica melts.

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

I hope you're wrong, Heather, but I'm feeling pessimistic as well. I grieve for our once-great country, I don't see the US stepping into the new century with a sense of leadership, but instead with leaden boots. It's sad on a historical scale, but downright scary on a human scale.