This post started on one of our RTM members Facebook page, but as I started writing I realized this would make a good blog post. I hope you weigh in with your viewpoint in the comment section.
Dave, while I agree that the two-party system made this country great, it seems to be hurting us right now. The independents (myself included) feel more open to form our own opinions, not constricted by party lines. That has it’s pros and cons. Last night is a perfect example. The independents spoke. On the one hand it allows for a two-party debate for Healthcare Reform, on the other MA now has probably the least qualified of two candidates representing them.
We have universal healthcare today. Go to any emergency room, and you will be served. Sure, this is costly. However, the larger costs rest with the healthcare system. Insurance companies charge more for coverage, because medical procedure costs are rising. Procedure costs are rising largely due to increase in insurance coverage for doctors. Insurance coverage for doctors is rising, because settlements in malpractice suits are going up. The gov’t doesn’t need to run healthcare, just bring sanity to this cycle with common-sense limits on malpractice suits and malpractice insurance. But that’s not easy.
To solve this issue is going to require the brightest minds in our gov’t, a bi-partisan group without the inter-party bickering, finger-pointing and muckraking. Presidential Candidate Barack Obama promised this to us, so independents helped put him in office. President Obama didn’t live up to his promise, so independents are picking off any Democrat they can. Democratic Connecticut Senator Dodd saw the writing on the wall, and chose not to even defend his seat. It has come to that.
We need healthcare reform the problem is I think is that what most of us want has been taken out of the bill due to the lobbying efforts of various special interest groups. To say it is working now is just not true, employers are stuck with the burden and if you ever lose insurance and have a pre-existing condition you can be refused coverage. I’m not sure what the solution is but it has to change, unfortunately it’s politics as usual and nobody is listening to the people, I doubt Scott Brown is going to be bi-partisan either.
Ed,
As I noted over on Facebook, I accept the concept of a “third voice” helping to keep the two big parties honest. I greatly admire EVERYONE who is ethically engaged in major party politics– Blue or Red– as I strongly believe it has been our two-party system that has made our nation the strong democracy it has managed to be for over 200 years. And, yes, I love it when Indies back me or what I back– that’s politics!
Now to the issue at hand: It is quite right to expect that healthcare refrom not be hijacked by either major party. It affects all of us and should be tackled in a bi-partisan manner–much as any national security issue should be.
All that being said, I have to say I agree entirely with the assessment of Mike L. (above). And would add nothing substantial will change unless all citizens — regardless of party– demand that our leaders get this done and done properly.
Thank you for providing this forum, by the way.
David Cullen
Fairfield RTM
District 7
@Mike L – Great point, the special interest groups do have control over our politicians. I think that’s a big reason Senator Dodd it jumping of the train. The coming campaign would expose all the special interest groups keeping him in office.
I’ve been on both sides of this as an employer and being refused healthcare coverage, so I really hope that what gets passed will be better. 10% to 30% yearly increases in Healthcare premiums are unacceptable.
The 10-30% yearly hikes are insane as is the whole pre-existing conditions thing– not to mention how along with the hefty premium hikes, they put in more exceptions of various types and raise co-pays on everything year after year after year.
And that is for those of us lucky to be employed and have benefits somewhat subsidized by employers.
I can’t even imagine what the unemployed or even part-time workers do.
I guess many of them do entirely without health insurance. And that is not good for them, not good for us (higher costs for all!) and it is not good for the future growth of our economy and quality of life of all our people.