Once again I am becoming disgusted with US politics and politicians. Once again, it seems likely that there will be no health care reform passed in this Congress. And, if that is true, if it isn't passed now, we will very likely wait another 15-20 years before there is even another attempt. If reform does slip away from the grasp of people who understand how its reform will affect every other part of governing for a very long time, President Obama, as good a President as we have had in decades in my opinion, will be a one term President, and the Republicans will be back in charge.
I read a very interesting article in the Oxford Research Group, written by Paul Rogers. It doesn't exactly add to my comfort level that we are doing the right thing in Afghanistan. I get the feeling that we are very likely to have the same results as the Russians did there, and will eventually slip away silently, having been whupped. I recommend the article to everyone who wishes a realistic evaluation of the situation in Afghanistan.
I am discouraged about the state of conversation in the nation. The level of vitriol is very concerning, with people coming to meetings where the President is scheduled to speak with loaded weapons simply because they can. It's alright with me if they own these weapons, but common sense and good manners should dictate whether they are carried, and no weapon should be carried simply because they can.
Along those lines, I am discouraged that the case for health care reform isn't presented in simple, moral terms: because it is the right thing to do! If there is so much fear that there will be people receiving health care that are not paying for it, then all that is right is lost anyway. It seems politicians, economists, insurance executives, lobbyists, and power brokers of our system cannot understand that these are PEOPLE who need assistance, and that the duty of those of us who can to assist.
I've said it before, but it certainly bears repeating. There is nothing explicitly or exclusively Christian about caring for others. It's a human trait. And those Christians who deny others basic human rights for whatever reason need to read their New Testament. They have lost touch with their concept of the teachings of their religion. Though I am not well versed in other faith traditions, I do know a little about several, and am reasonably sure that all of them teach respect and support for the poor and for those who cannot care for themselves. Caring must become a human right. We are, every one of us, a part of one another.
That's enough soapbox for one evening. I have to admit that the grousing has released the tension I felt, and I am much more relaxed now.
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