Tag: Healthcare

Opinion

Go big, or go home

President Biden has plenty of work to do, and so far he has done the job of restoring faith in our republic and his leadership of it. The president has been clear in stating what he wants to do and how he will go about trying to achieve bipartisan support. The Republicans want to pretend that the insurrection, and their attempts to hobble the Obama administration before wasting money on a tax cut for the rich with Trump did not happen. President Biden saw all of it and knows that he cannot waste time negotiating with people who have only bad faith towards him achieving anything for the American people. The president knows that he has to play both the long and the short game to be successful and if anyone can do it, he can. The administration’s job right now is to help those who are in jeopardy from the pandemic before moving on to climate change, racial injustice, immigration, infrastructure, and healthcare for all Americans. Many of these issues are interrelated whether Republicans realize it or not. America’s enemies will attack us where we are weak, which right now is our societal divisions and lack of a strong healthcare system. If COVID was an attack it was successful, and the next attack could be stronger and more devastating. America needs a robust healthcare system that services every citizen. The next four years will require a lot of money to be focused on strengthening our society to compete for the future.

Opinion

A threat to our country

The largest threat to the vision and hope of the American republic is not White people or Black people, it is ignorant people who want others to think for them. Thomas Jefferson said “if a nation expects to be ignorant & free, in a state of civilisation, it expects what never was & never will be.”. America is under threat from liars and corrupt politicians who have no regard for their sheepish voters who continuously support them for vague reasons. The reasons people support liars and crooks are vague most likely because they do not want to state they are based on controlling and disrespecting others. The ignorant, lazy, and modestly entitled must learn that there is a better life possible when everyone can rise to their potential, and not be systematically repressed or terrorized. Freedom is not free, but it is cheaper than tyranny and injustice. Research and vote in every election!

Opinion

Moving forward

People my age are hearing the great Ray Charles singing Georgia On My Mind, the The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP), or Viva Las Vegas as the returns come in bringing a hoped for end to the Trump presidency. Many people believe that we will start to deal with COVID19, climate change, healthcare, and race relations in rational fashion. Trump made it a point to make everything about himself and stir chaos while seeming to get away with everything he could as we were distracted. Two months are left on the current administration. Every citizen must keep eyes peeled for corruption, criminality, and debasement of the republic as the Trump regime packs up to leave. God willing the end is near for this administration, but the damage they can do is not over. Make sure that you retain your power and research to vote in every election! Thank you to the voters who recognized the malignant threat of Trump mania and participated in this election! Hope followed by actions can move mountains!

Opinion

So much left to do

After participating in the elections, very voter should feel good about their concern for their world, country, and community. Voting is a very important tool in creating the world we would like to see, but it is not the only tool that we have. As citizens and people who care we should advocate for our values and hopes for a better future. We can use our influence with friends and family, we can contribute our time to causes and groups, and we can give resources to further the policies or movements we want to succeed. There was not a wave in any direction in this election, and there is a lot of work to do on justice, climate change, and healthcare to name a few. COVID-19 is raging in our country and we must continue to protect ourselves and others. If Joe Biden wins the presidency he will need a lot of help to get anything done. Consider getting the Five Calls app to contact your legislators and advocate for bills you want enacted into law. Every citizen who cares should vow to find ways to stay informed and involved in building a better future while continuing to protect our republic. Develop a plan to support your values while staying safe and focused.

Opinion

Millennial voters

There is a lot of reporting that millennial voters are not motivated about the upcoming elections. I hope the reporting is incorrect because no group will be impacted more than younger citizens. The continuation of our republic, civil rights, economic growth, climate policy, healthcare policy, and infrastructure development are all on the ballot. If America makes the wrong choice in 2020 there will be a series of unfortunate events accelerating the demise of decent culture and civilization. If you know a millennial or are one; make sure you share the importance of voting with someone who is struggling with priorities and choices. The choice this year is clear and stark. Vote in 2020 like your life depended on it; it does!

Opinion

Threat to America

Donald Trump talks about conspiracies, fake news, and how the election will be stolen if vote by mail is allowed. While Tump questions the upcoming vote he does not fund efforts to secure the election and asks foreign powers for help. Trump follows anti-democratic actions like these with threats to citizens (like the COVID-19 response, unmarked federal agents kidnapping protesters, attempting to destroy the ACA). This president appeals to the worst of America while trying to create confusion and distrust of institutions like the CDC and FBI built by our tax dollars. Trump pushes to divide Americans and increase strife throughout our society, but never says anything negative about Vladimir Putin or Russia. How much more of a threat will we allow him to become? Research and vote in 2020.

Opinion

Shining City on a Hill, or Wild Animal Park?

The issues America faces are numerous and daunting. From healthcare to justice reform there is a lot to do. Americans have many blessings, but we have allowed fear to dominate our society for a long time. People fly American flags dedicated to support for police, while others march for police accountability. Why are the police a lightning rod in our society? Has money and greed become more important than the basic wellbeing of our countrymen? Are we at war with each other and using the justice system as a substitute for a social contract? America has one of the lowest rates of social mobility and the highest incarceration rate of the industrialized democracies. If you are born to a lower class you are more likely to be stuck there here in the USA than similar countries. Americans are afraid of each other and the current uptick in gun purchases highlights that fact. We have more guns than people and we still don’t have enough. The election of 2020 will clearly be a pivotal vote for America as we will define ourselves for the future. A vote for hope can put us back on track as an exemplar nation, the shining city on a hill, or we can be deceived into the chaos and fear of the wild animal park.

Opinion

How the mighty fall

The United States is believed by many people around the world to be the greatest nation in history. Considering military, cultural, economic, scientific, and political influence the US is widely considered first in all areas. Since 2016 however the view of America has changed. Rising numbers of foreign students don’t want to come to American schools. Around the world American culture is increasingly seen as divided over race and class. American troops are targeted by Russian agents with bounties and nothing happens. The US healthcare system is unable to deal with COVID19 effectively due to a lack of leadership; creating a very negative impact on the economy. Politically, the United States is isolated as Trump attacks allies while stating love and admiration for dictators. Across the globe respect for America has declined and it shows in every poll on the subject. Trump cannot be allowed to sell hatred and division to win the White House; he must lose for America to win. We have fallen, but we can get up.

Opinion

Civil Rights for all citizens

America continues to struggle with equal rights and treatment for all citizens. The recent killing of a citizen in Minneapolis by police while being recorded underlines the inequity in our country. Republicans actively block access to healthcare and voting even though it would benefit society to increase both. Tolerance for lies and liars has taken control of the Republican Party with the next target likely to be society in general. Election 2020 is the most consequential vote in recent history because we are heading towards a terrible future, I think that we should question and strengthen every institution to protect our republic, and it starts with a massive turnout in 2020.

Opinion

Hiding the facts, or truth for reopening America

We are watching an experiment but most people already know the result. Some state and local governments are employing the strategy of hiding facts about the spread of COVID19 from the public. The idea seems to be that if people are not aware of virus hotspots they will be more likely to participate in the brick and mortar economy. Challenges to get the truth about the spread of the virus from state and federal government agencies are ongoing. Science and transparency should lead the reopening of America because it is wrong to deceive people about issues of life and death. We have heroes to thank for the defense of the public and our republic. Journalists, health professionals, public servants, and others who have stood up for truth and science. God bless these heroes for being the eyes and voice of the people!