Hypocrisy and Health Care Reform
Dick Armey, the former Republican Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, is now Chairman of an organization called Freedom Works. This group uses large industry donations to fund “Tea Party” and Anti-Health Care Reform rallies around the country, such as the 9/12 march in Washington, DC last week.
Bill Moyers explains how Armey and Freedom Works use deliberate lies and disinformation to manipulate the fears and passions of ordinary Americans. Their aim is to accumulate power and wealth for themselves and pursue a political agenda that, if successful, would deny reliable health care coverage for all Americans.
Meanwhile, health insurance companies are busy refusing payment to those who already have health care coverage. Why? Because individuals have what has come to be known as “pre-existing conditions”. And just what are “pre-existing conditions”? The list is long but pregnancy, an intention to adopt children, acne, hemorrhoids, bunions, chronic tonsillitis, and varicose veins are among them.
Profit and health care are contradictory notions. It seems as though in the “war of ideas” corporate profit is struggle mightily to defeat health care. Let’s hope justice prevails for the American people.
Sounds like an attack on Dick Armey…but after watching the video, it is not clear what you consider to be the deliberate lies and disinformation being used by Dick Armey and Freedom Works.
Also, what is wrong with a company making a profit? I hope any company providing my health care makes a decent profit…that way I can have the security of knowing that they’ll likely be around when I need them. It would also allow them to expand and help more people.
Justice will not “prevail” for the brainwashed American people, who would rather send their children to fight unnecessary wars in far-off places than reform their gas-guzzling habits, in order to do such things as pay down the debt they’re caterwauling about or have health care for poor children:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/opinion/20friedman.html?hp
It is the opinion of most educated people in Europe, where I now live, that Americans are irrational to the point of insanity. I now share that opinion.
I agree Digby. We are insane. The problem is that the people who are insane do not know that they are. Thought disorders are firmly entrenched into the identity of the individual, and, as such are cemented in place by the most powerful primitive emotions that relate to survival of self and then the group to which one belongs.
Gerald, when I watch a report like this I am left with a feeling of extreme fatigue and a sense of darkness all around me. I also feel a deep sadness for those who cannot see that their faith is dependent upon being independent of the government that they depend on to protect them from all the ‘evil’ they perceive around them. They are so afraid of losing what they have and yet they have lost the most important thing which they claim to have–their faith.
Dan,
Actually, I have many good things I could say about Dick Armey, many of which few would know. But its clear when it comes to health care that there are “lies and distortions.” For instance, when Armey says the health care plan is a government takeover of 1/6 the U.S. economy — he knows that’s not true. It’s a clear distortion.
Armey himself says politics is 97% fiction, 3% imagination. Believe him.
If private insurance can’t compete with government insurance — especially when using the same rules — then why have them around? It makes no sense, even from an efficiency perspective.
You say that private insurance need to make a profit so they will be around when you need them — OK, fair enough. But government insurance will be around, even though they do not make a profit. In a truly competitive market, many private insurance will not be reliable partners for you.
Here’s another way private insurance will not be a reliable partner. Recently, a teenager’s private insurance company dropped him for contracting HIV. They said he had pre-existing conditions. The courts found otherwise and forced the insurance company to pay the teenager $10 million. Certainly, the boy’s company wasn’t there when he needed them, although the company was making healthy profits. Just how reliable is a private insurance company? Not very much, it appears.
You need to think this over more clearly. Have you had health conditions that truly tested a profit-making company’s willingness to pay your bills? I doubt it.
Ronald,
Regarding health care, I feel the same sense of “fatigue and darkness” when I reflect on what private insurance companies have done to countless individuals in order to protect the bottom line, i.e., profit and money, for their investors. The millions of personal bankruptcies and deaths that have resulted from corporate greed is astonishing to me. Yet, for ideological reasons, many people are bind to what is going on.
We’ve had a half century to make this health care system work. It doesn’t work for those who need it the most. In the end, justice and love are what matters. Those most responsible have failed the country in frightful ways. Too many love money more than the common good.
Catholics understand the importance of subsidiarity. It is in our bones. But subsidiarity is not present in an ideology of small government. The reason for subsidiarity in the first place is to protect human dignity and solidarity — not just individual freedom.
Personally, I cannot reconcile profit and health care, especially when it comes to insurance. I would prefer a single payer system. But we have to work with what we’ve got. Thus the public option. If some individuals believe a profit-making insurance company is the best guarantee of reliable health care, so be it. Go that route. Others may disagree. For them there would be a government option.
As both systems get in place, it is likely there will be countless stories and studies that reveal the shortcomings of both systems. It seems to me it’s prudent to allow these stories and studies to come forth as a means of verifying which system serves the public best.
I know you wish the Catholic Church would set up its own system. But that doesn’t seem likely at this point. Actually, they have become more and more integrated it seems to me.
Digby,
Its really remarkable how easily Americans fall prey to the myths of nationalism, the mythology attending small/big government, the mythology of free trade, the myths of deregulation, the myths of privatization, the myths of militarism, the myths of dualism, the tactics of scapegoating and demonization, and the willingness to engage in apocalyptic aggression. The list is endless and, as you might say, astonishing.
As bad as anything is the mythology that religious belief are inherently good. Yet, religious beliefs are often the engines of various forms of oppression, including racism, xenophobia, sexism, heterosexism, antisemitism, islamophobia, nativism, ableism, and authoritarianism.
Each of these forms of oppression are instruments used by politicians who judge their advantage to be best gained by a turn to the politics of fear. The politics of fear is at the heart of American politics and, if left unchallenged, can destroy everything noble and promising about this nation.
The politics of fear defies reason, experimentation, and progress, and it makes conservatism to be brittle and ideological, morally and intellectually corrupt, and the enemy of the good and the future. If the politics of fear prevails, it makes America a unique danger to the entire world.
Gerald, I believe you will recall that it was one of the “Founding Fathers”–Franklin, I believe–who said that a people who valued “security” over freedom deserved neither.
The American people, in my opinion, now deserve neither.
Obama is no angel, and he certainly is naive and untried, in certain respects, but, in terms of honesty, straightforwardness and industriousness, he is head and shoulders above what went before him, and the “birthers” and the tea-partiers don’t deserve him. What they deserve is the Republican fascist who will probably succeed him.
America is through.
Digby,
There is considerable resilience in America. Thus, I have considerable hope in America’s future.
I would advise you not to succumb to the politics of fear. The politics of hope is worthy of heroic energies and yours are needed. Whenever I read your critical words, I am inspired to the task ahead. I will not lose hope. Please don’t you.
Obama’s election was a small, but significant triumph over America’s ugly past. The world, too, was inspired, and rightly so. I’ve had young students from all over the world visit with me in my home over the last year. They continue to have faith in America. They look to America to inspire them in the struggles they face in their own country.
So long as we Americans struggle against our failings, and struggle against each other in doing so, the world will give us respect. During the Civil Rights era, and despite the ugliness of those images of civil strife that were broadcast to the world, America stood tall in the hearts and minds of individuals struggling to be free. Why? Because we were fighting with and amongst ourselves for the future of dignity, freedom, and solidarity.
This struggle continues even now. Some times the vital threads of this dynamic are more visible than at other times. But the struggle continues nonetheless. It is this struggle that reveals the heart of America.
To many, the politics of this past summer have been dispiriting. But, I am not among them. I believe that sometimes it is necessary to let your opponents have their day in the sun. Give them the opportunity to express themselves. Let them fly their flag high and proudly, even if it appears to be against your advantage. As Pope John Paul II would say: “Do not be afraid.”
Obama has placed this insight at the heart of his strategic practice. Unlike most political leaders, he has the courage and the patience to allow movements like the birthers, the tenthers, the tea baggers, and whatever to have their 15 minutes of fame. He doesn’t scold them. He doesn’t diminish them, except to joke here and there. He tries to empathize with them, saying they have legitimate concerns. Their concerns have to do with economics, identity, and so forth. They, too, are crying out for help because they feel they are being left behind. And they are.
At the same time, Obama is cunning. He lets the American people see what is going on, he lets them soak it all up — especially the drama — and he lets them get a fix on it and judge it for themselves.
Paralleling this, he allows his supporters to get angry at him for allowing all this ugliness to happen. He allows them to say he betrays their cause. He lets them mobilize against him, and renew their fight with freshness for the causes they believe he has compromised.
In short, Obama lets democracy build up an organic head of steam, with forces working wildly from all directions. He then will use that energy to bring about what will be a better resolution of the common interest.
This, I believe, is what is happening with health care.
As a nation, America has the capacity to inspire. No other nation has been built on an idea that expresses universality and yet allows for a diversity of expression. Each nation can respond to America’s calling in their own unique way. The Statue of Liberty is not called “Democracy Shaping the World.” It is rather “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
The idea of freedom is the essence of our national security. Other nations, like America, have interests. But, only America has transcendent purposes. At our best, and by that I mean when we lead through example, the radiance of purpose inspires others to add their unique expression to the collage of human effort.
Sadly, America also has the capacity to disappoint. We even have within us a darkness that can make America an object of fear to the rest of the world. We have demonstrated this darkness of late.
No matter what happens in the years ahead, the course we pursue will depend upon inspired leadership. America needs the world to tell us when we are wrong. America needs the world to tell us when we are right. But, when I speak of the world, remember I am not talking about states. I am talking about populations. America has a common bond with people everywhere.
When properly inspired, the American people desire to be led in ways that will enrich all mankind. America believes in the brotherhood of man. But if we fail to provide the leadership people need and intrinsically desire, they will have no choice but to settle for the politics of fear. When that happens, America descends very quickly and very darkly, as the past two decades have demonstrated. Our task is to insure that such negative forces never gain final triumph over the wisdom of our better angels.
At our best, and by that I mean when we lead through example, the radiance of purpose inspires others to add their unique expression to the collage of human effort.
Gerald, I think you are a brilliant writer, a true altruist and a good democrat, but I don’t think you try much to analyze American politics through an economic perspective.
One thing I’ve realised in the past years is that the American economy DEPENDS upon a constant expansion of its power and influence into the lives and communities of Third World peoples, forcing unwanted changes and a condition of dependency that many of those peoples deeply resent. However, at the same time, if the policy-makers in America attempted to moderate or control that constant expansion, it would cause tremendous economic dislocations in America and in Europe. The “Anglo-Saxon model of capitalism,” which America brutally enforces all over the world, is actually something like a cancerous growth, which, as it encounters traditional societies (among which are many Catholic ones), effects a veritable “transformation of all values,” commodifying everything, breaking up communities, extended families, and devastating whole cultures.
I KNOW what I’m talking about, Gerald: I’ve SEEN it in action, in Asia, and now I’m seeing it in action in Europe, where it is cheapening, reducing, and, indeed, in some ways, commodifying school culture (by encouraging teaching to tests and down-grading expressiveness as a hallmark of education).
Dan, the problem with the profit motive comes in when in works to the detriment of other motives–like helping people! And this most certainly happens, as for example when a doctor with an ownership interest in a testing lab prescribes unneeded tests for his patients–and many more examples could be cited.
People will never be as good as they should be, so as a practical matter we have to let the profit motive have its sway so that our economy works; trying to make people be good in wholesale fashion seems to always have results worse than the original problem. So the answer is some sort of social democracy, in which certain important human values–such as “helping people” in some very basic ways–are promoted over the profit motive.
To most of the other commenters: I truly appreciate your outrage, which is also mine. Maybe we should be going to some town hall meetings and screaming real loud. Unfortunately, screaming real loud does tend to have its effect on the debate, while sharing the outrage among ourselves–not so much.
Well, I think it’s fair to say that the USA has more raving lunatics than any given Western country. I’d be willing to bet that there is no other place on the planet, nay universe, where people protest AGAINST better access to health care. “Hillarycare”, “Obamacare”, whenever the Democrats try to bring some semblance of civilization, the mob personalizes it. Only the USA and South Africa, among developed nations, have no universal health care. They also share a common dedication to crime.
But hey, at least we (* permanent resident here, not becoming citizen) put 2.5m people in prison , beat that, world (no other country could aspire to that, Euro ratios are 10-15 times lower) ! Ironically, health care in prison is frequently excellent. They certainly get a doctor’s appointment faster lol. (California was sued by the Federal government to improve prison conditions, trying to wiggle out of it ever since, but for the time being it’s quite good).
Supposedly it’s those Commie Canadians and Euros that have waiting lines…I can’t even get a doctor in my town of 90,000 – cause the hospital and my insurance co. are suing each other and every doctor’s appointment takes ages to get. My Viennese GP made housecalls. As part of universal healthcare. So, off for a 30 mile trip i go for the general practitioner ! (of which few exist, not as lucrative). My Dad had a hip waiting for him (he was shy :P), convalescence spa included for several weeks in a bucolic location. Now, 3 months later, he boogies again. Commie titanium is tough, I tell ya.
The GOP, swine that they have degenerated to, has done a remarkable job at recruiting fools with their laughable culture war issues. Said fools then gladly bend over, and extoll the virtues thereof. It must take considerable effort to be as stupid as these shills/dupes. I wonder, does their idiocy count as a pre-existing condition ? How can one even be put in a position where such matters actually have to be discussed ? Or evolution ? Bizarro world.
These truly are odd times. Well, this year I will have been in Europe for 3 months, and I live in NorCal, so life ain’t bad personally. Even bought (* insofar as 30-year-mortgages mean “buying” or “owning) a foreclosed-on house. (There basically aren’t any others on the market) Less than half the original price just 3 years ago. The heartwarming sensation I get from banks selling to banks (via us) could light the fireplace. Of course, no one has real ones anymore.
As the President said Sunday, European Centre-Right leaders can’t understand why he is being called a Socialist when most of his policies resemble their platform.
Giving birth in the US: Cashier’s water breaks. She gives birth, turns around and apologizes to the customer for the delay. PA system, “Cleanup at Register 9″ *
(*one argument I’ve heard a few times is that Europeans still don’t have a lot of children. By that reasoning, we should all live by third world standards so as to be fruitful and multiply, cause they sure have the most kids….)
Kurt, I’ve given up trying to explain to Europeans how there is no universal healthcare, minimum vacation, comparable labor laws, tenant laws. I get blank stares. It’s unfathomable to them.
Similar with my wife, when I mentioned 16 month minimum paid maternity leave (average salary of last 13 weeks), a prohibition of firing pregnant women and of their working before and after birth. She, doctored and state-employed (CA) would have to take sick leave. lol. some union !! My stare was equally blank as I asked, “No fully paid maternity leave ?” “No 5 weeks vacation ?” “What dya mean we’ll need new doctors because you switched jobs ?” Seriously, it all defies belief. So many things taken for granted everywhere else – the thing is, in poor countries they still dream about it, but here many people think it’s immoral to not work oneself to death. I’m neither a fan of the state or of healthcare giants – but at least the former can be voted for or against to some degree.
Digby,
My major interest has not been economics. I don’t deny that. At the same time, I don’t deny that American capitalism is part of the corruption that needs resisting. As it has evolved, it is totally unsustainable and fundamentally dehumanizing. As you say, it is fast becoming a scourge to the world. You may recall Paul Kennedy’s book of 20 years ago or the economic revisionists of 40 and 50 years ago.
If fundamental changes are not made to our economic life, the intrinsic potential of this country can never be fulfilled. Indeed, America will wither and die. Just like you say. I fully agree with that assessment. But I don’t think it is inevitable.
Above I gave a pencil sketch of an America worth defending. But this America requires an ongoing and heroic struggle against ourselves for noble purposes.
Above I detailed various mode of oppression. They are rampant, especially among the Religious Right. Look also at the corrupting forces coming out of corporate internationalism, business nationalism, economic libertarianism, national security militarism, and neoconservatism. Take notice of the patriot movement, white nationalism, paleoconservatism, and the ultra-right (ethnocentric nationalism).
Everywhere, there are nutty ideas. They make their presence overseas.
And yet, there is nothing deterministic about any of this? From my perspective, none of this flows out of the better inclinations of America. We have the potential to change for the better.
Of course, it is another question altogether to ask whether there is a momentum towards disintegration that has reach the point of no return. Some times I say yes; other times I down a shot of whiskey and say no. The truth is: I don’t really know. I just continue to do what I can with the resources I have. My desire, above all else, is to make America a better place. I just wish Catholic intellectuals could find a loud and compelling voice to take on fundamental challenges.
So there it is.
Now, let me ask: do you assess the recent governmental changes in Japan to be a positive development? Is this the repudiation of “Friedman” economics it appears to be? Is it some kind of positive sign that the world community is fed up with American capitalism? Or is this merely a quirky incident?
Gerald Naus,
You are right. There are so MANY things that are not right. The question to ask is this: “What is the Grand Central Station from which all this nuttiness emerges?” What are the fundamental assumptions of U.S. social policy? I believe much of it stems from our religious traditions beginning with Puritanism. Have you ever read anything about Cotton Mather? Nominalism, Voluntarism, the Enlightenment, and Puritanism — what a toxic mix?
Gerald, I haven’t been paying much attention to developments in Asia recently, so I don’t know, but have you been noticing Sarkozy’s increasing rejection of the “Anglo-Saxon model” recently? At least the European politicians are able to learn from the recent financial melt-down.
Of course, it is another question altogether to ask whether there is a momentum towards disintegration that has reach the point of no return.
What’s important right now is how fast that “momentum” is going. I believe that it’s proceeding at a far greater speed than most Americans, insulated by a brain-washing popular culture, are able to notice. That “Anglo-Saxon model” is, in my opinion, literally eating the world–the planet–alive.
And all it’s going to take to push the whole precariously-rigged house of cards over would be ONE major catastrophe–such as, say, China insisting on the right to buy petrol with a “basket of currencies,” or a jihadist setting off a “dirty bomb” in Manhattan, or an “Eretz-Israel” fanatic in the IDS launching an attack on Teheran. Once the “containment system,” the international alliances, the economic treaty systems were strong and flexible enough to buoy the world up against such catastrophes. That era is over and holocausts and genocides are looming.
My grandmother said, as she was dying, that she was happy to leave this earth, because she had no confidence, any more, in the human race. She remembered a time, during the Great Depression, when catastrophes were staved off by neighbour helping neighbour. “Now,” she said, indicating the people living on her street, “these people, instead of helping each other out, would all be at each others’ throats whenever any disaster loomed.” Looking at the “tea-partiers” protesting in America the other day, I’d say she had been prophetic.
Digby,
No, I , haven’t been paying much attention to Sarkozy of late. I did get some first hand evaluations on French politics this spring when I had two doctoral students stay in my house for four months while doing research at the Smithsonian Institution. But, the only thing that seems to come across the news wires that I’ve seen are his personal eccentricities. I’ll try to pay more attention to some of the things your suggest.
I really can’t disagree with anything you’ve said here. I knew a bad patch lay ahead after the collapse of the Soviet Union and its Empire. But I thought there would be some effort at least to construct a new Grand Strategy for the U.S. Instead, they came up with globalization as a substitute for foreign policy. What a bunch of rot!