Diabetes and Politics
I’ve always heard that there are three things you should never discuss in a social setting: Sex, Religion, and Politics. 
Each can only lead to extended debate and often, hurt feelings and anger. So, when we’re at a dinner party or work get-together, we avoid these topics. Even on a lot of social networking sites, conversations are limited to “safe” topics. There are exceptions, obviously, like talking about sex on your local “swingers” board (something I know nothing about) or religious discussions on church website (also something I know nothing about). But politics, for whatever reason, still conjures such intense debate that even on partisan sites, there is much bickering.
But, what about diabetes-related online communities? Political discussions are inevitable because we’re talking about healthcare, i.e., the tools we need to manage our diabetes. Now, with the Healthcare Reform Bill making its way to the Senate, people are starting to get a little more outspoken about their feelings. Some are excited because the prospect of universal healthcare is appealing. Others are scared of losing the quality healthcare that they get through their employers. Many are angry at what they feel would be a direct violation of the President’s promise not to increase taxes. There are plenty of opinions, and some aren’t afraid to get down and dirty in expressing them.
There was a thread on Tu Diabetes that I had been contributing to somewhat regularly. Well, actually, I spent most of yesterday reading and responding to it. It started to get heated, and I realized that I should probably walk away from it. Because the fact is that when it comes to matters of finance, I am a conservative. In my generation and community, this is not a popular opinion, but it’s one I believe in quite strongly. When it comes to most social matters, whether it be gay marriage (I support it) or abortion (I wouldn’t do it myself, but I wouldn’t tell a woman that she couldn’t), my philosophy is live and let live. I think that, as a nation, we’ve got much bigger problems to deal with than whether or not two people who love each other should be able to marry. Seriously, let’s just butt out of people’s lives.
Back to my point (I do have a point). On a site like Tu Diabetes, and in a thread focused on a controversial political topic, differing opinions are inevitable. People are going to get passionate. It’s one of the great things about being an American – we CAN debate these things. We are free to say how we feel and not fear retaliation. But, when people, who have made no contribution to the discussion, decide to act as “hall monitors” and suggest that certain posts be deleted simply because the spirit of the post differs from their own opinion, we begin a slide down a very slippery slope. As my mom used to say, “nobody likes a tattle tail!”
So, I’m finished with this political debate. I won’t be drawn back in by baiting or trolls. Because the bottom line is that we’re all just wasting our time. Liberal, conservative, democrat, republican, libertarian, socialist – it doesn’t matter which party you support or which ideals are your own; we will NEVER agree. We will NEVER change each others’ minds. It’s just not going to happen, so why spend so much time and energy trying? I’ve got better things to do, like shoe shopping.
Themocracy
Interesting… I’m frankly scared by the number of people who think nationalized/socialized health care will improve access to care and decrease cost of care.
Then again, someone said (I think it was in a Cato post) that “If John proposes to rob Peter to pay Paul, Paul will always be in agreement with John”. Many people with chronic diseases are “Pauls” here, looking for help with healthcare costs that are out-of-proportion to the norm, and often with challenges to raising their income levels to that of being able to meet both medical costs and basic costs of living (food, clothing, shelter, taxes).
We may disagree with their methods and understand their reticence to rely on private charity (since it often seems unavailable, as it’s the last place most of us dispose of discretionary income), but it’s a very real problem for which they are seeking a personal solution.
I’m not seeing good answers, or methods of transition, to pose a cogent argument for someone who currently receives more than $50k/yr in government aid for a child with serious developmental issues (a response I got from a person stopping by our OPH booth at a street fair) — the costs of intense medical care and highly-specialized schooling — or a young adult, the costs of whose Type 1 diabetes force him to continue living with his parents, possibly without even a car with which to search for better employment opportunities.
(Corrected typo from first comment)
I understand where this post is coming from and avoided engaging in this specific discussion because I don’t have the time or energy right now and I don’t know enough about the current proposal to say anything intelligent (ah, I wish I only spoke when I had something intelligent to say).
Perhaps you won’t be surprised that in general I don’t agree with this post. (That’s what I am here for after all …). I think that the debate CAN be productive. But in any hot topic like this, people quickly slip from debate into personal attack. The first is productive. The latter is not.
You are certainly right that people with different political views will ALWAYS disagree. BUT I think that if we can truly listen to each other, there is so much to gain. For me, this is what the democratic process is all about. It takes people recognizing that none of our solutions or arguments is perfect, but we can learn from each other. I wish more of this happened on both sides of the aisle in the US government.
You know that I am not afraid of national health care because I live in a nationalized health care system. I recognize its benefits (never worrying about losing insurance or not being able to get insulin) and its many costs (I will not get CGMS coverage for a LONG time). But I think that the faults that many people see in the national health care system do not NEED to be the case. I live under a government-run health care system with many market-based incentives incorporated. I pay co-pays for less vital procedures, visits, prescriptions, medical supplies. I pay $1 a month for insulin, but I pay 15% of my pump supplies. I can choose any doctor that I want and change whenever I want. So the doctors have to compete to keep patients and are paid based on patients and work done. Ah, I could go on, but I should go to bed!
OK, so I went into the substance of the debate because I like debating with you
Your point of view is always valued, Kristin. It is *because* of the way that you debate, fact-based and respectful, that I will always welcome the opportunity to do so with you. I respect your opinions and can even agree with you on many points, but we still have significantly differing opinions.
But, as we both know, these debates tend to go downhill fairly quickly. Maybe it’s because of the anonymous nature of online forums. Maybe it’s because this is how people really are in “real life.” I don’t know its cause, but I really dislike its effect.
In the end, politics just isn’t worth sacrificing a good friendship. It’s just not that serious. Besides, you and I are proof that we all *can* get along!
Shannon,
I saw some of the back-and-forth over the particular post you refer to. With freedom of speech comes exactly that … all are free to speak. Many, and probably most, of the commenters add a deliciously refreshing perspective and new and fresh viewpoints to these discussions. I find that laudable and a wonderful eye-opening source to prevent close-mindedness on my part. There are, however, some persons who do not fit into the above category. Please do not allow those with such narrow-minded views to silence as eloquent and informed a writer as you. The rest of us benefit from your efforts and … if you’ve got something to say I want to hear it!
In other words, my dear, as we far less talented writers might say “Don’t let the turkeys get you down!”.
Have a great day, and let me know if you need a shoe-shopping buddy!
Thanks, Laura. I certainly don’t expect everyone to agree with me. I just want to have civilized, fact-based discussions. I don’t think it’s too much to ask, and , obviously, neither do you