The pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness....
We can't have liberty or happiNess if we're sick or dead.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs places physical needs at the bottom of the ladder (water, food, shelter) before we can climb any rung toward that higher amorphous thing called self-actualization.
One of those simple things put into validated theory.....who can focus on freedom or even ego satisfaction, if they're too busy trying to find food and keep safe from predators who'd kill us (for their life blood)?
What child can learn properly if they're malnourished, or spend their nights in shelters or underpasses, or even in their own homes with empty cupboards, or crappy food? They may as well be huddled in line for a corn or rice mush, or a WHO protein bar.
What sick, fragile, or impaired person can stay alive in our current system, even if it's temporary? Can only the fittest survive if they sacrifice the weakest among us? Is that what being human and humane has come to mean?
No, this isn't intended to be a pro-life/anti-abortion thread. It's my meager attempt to start a fresh dialogue about US health care reform. The bar is higher now, as it should be.
I want to ask those who say they're against reform, or that we can't afford it.....what is your ideology, and what are your proposals?