A Nation Once United, Divided...The Perils of Health Care Reform and Broken Politics

Yesterday, President Obama signed Health Care Reform into law.  It was feat that dates back nearly a century since  President Roosevelt, (Teddy not Franklin) in 1912.  Over 30 million Americans will have health care and one would think that celebration would and should have spread across our nation.  Unfortunately, Health Care or probably more accurately stated Health Insurance Reform is the latest lighting rod that is not only dividing our country and our politics, it is becoming the catalyst for us to become downright uncivil.

The First Amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

I cite this because of what I am going to say next is true but not the most politically correct, but it is my right to express.

After 100 years of trying, we have Health Care (Insurance) Reform from the first African American President and the Party of Just Say No has become the Party of Hell No and they have launched their Tea Parties and their puppet commentators to stop and repeal this law without any fair effort to see if it can work.  We are seeing the elements of fear rise again.  You have seen this before when people speak without fact, when they turn to insults, to racism, to confusion, to anger and unfounded outrage.  They confuse socialism and say the President of the United States is a Socialist while they want to say other things that I will not say, but you know where I am going.

What ever happened to seeing if something works?  What ever happened to being proven wrong?  What if the problem with the person that is providing the reform and his difference in appearance to his predecessors?  For all of you out there, yes race is a part of this problem and it a part of the puzzle that we find ourselves in.  If you think not read on.

What has happened in the first 15 months of the Obama Presidency:

• The President disrespected in an emotional outburst while delivering an Address to a Joint Session  of Congress and the American people last September.
• The "Birthers" tried unsuccessfully to prove that the President was not a US Citizen at birth, (which would have disqualified him from being President) a feat that has never happened before and despite clearly dispelling these rumors, some media still spread this misinformation.
• Members of Congress has been harassed and some have received threats, some even death threats.
• Every trick in the book has and is being used from the Party of Hell No to stop this President from succeeding at anything while saying that it is not about him.
• The opposing party has given close to 0 votes on the critical issues that are plaguing the country.
• There are many others as well...

Finally, those out there are infuriated about the cost of Health Care reform, I have another number for you $3 TRILLION!  Yes with a T!!!  That is the total projected cost of the Iraq War to the United States economy from a country that did not attack us.  This is only the cost of the economy the other cost in lives,  broken families, and those who returned worse than they left.  Speaking of 9/11, we are far from the days of 9/11 and the days afterward when we rediscovered our unity; when we were at our most united, it is now a mere afterthought.  It appears that the next cold war will be with ourselves, our neighbors and our enemies will revel in our division.  All of this at a time where we have the most information at our fingertips why are we acting the most ignorant...ever.  We are at a crossroads and going down a road that will take a long time to return from if ever.