Comments (20)

By shannon, March 23, 2010 10:58 am

I meant to write about this yesterday, when its topic was fresh and on the minds of so many.  Instead, my emotional meltdown took over, and I couldn’t really think too much about what I wanted to write.

Now, a full 24 hours after that disastrous appointment, I finally feel like I can articulate my feelings on the Healthcare Reform Bill’s passage. 

There are some fantastic things about this bill.  No more pre-existing condition clauses and limiting the amount insurers can charge are the two biggest improvements.  There are mandates that should have been in place years ago.  But, they come with a price.

I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I oppose this bill.  I have never been a proponent of socialized healthcare, or anything else for that matter.  Now, before you label me a “conspiracy theorist” or “tea partier,” hear (er, read) me out.

I grew up fairly poor.  When my parents divorced, I was five.  My mother, having little education and two young children, moved us from Maine to her parents’ house in Rhode Island.  We stayed there for a while, but eventually moved into dinky apartment, then to a duplex owned by my grandmother.  My grandmother was a huge financial support to us – without her, I doubt we’d have had new school clothes every year and bountiful Christmases.  But, we still didn’t have much money.  Even when I was young, I knew that I didn’t want to struggle like that for my entire life.

Flash forward 30 years to today.  I’m 36 and happily married to a wonderful man. We own a home, two cars (well, three when you count the race car), nice clothes and shoes, and we’re financially stable.  How?  It’s not because of any handouts.  It’s not because I was given a free ride anywhere.  It’s because I’ve worked my ass off for the past 20 years. 

When I was 15, I applied for a job at Thom McAn shoes in the Warwick Mall.  Anyone remember that store?  Well, I got that job, and I worked there throughout high school.  I took public transportation to and from work (anyone in the RI suburbs knows how rare that is).  I bought a car with the money I made selling shoes (and left that car in Mississippi).  I bought another car with the money I made selling shoes.  I worked after school and on weekends.  By the time I was a senior in high school, I was a key holder.  I was “Part-Timer of the Year” a few times, too.

When I went away to college, I worked three jobs.  I did a work study, made and served coffee, and worked in a movie theater.  I rarely slept.

When I got my first “real job,” I was 22.  I started off as a temp, making almost nothing.  I eventually became a permanent employee and worked my way from receptionist to marketing assistant, to proposal/technical writer, to proposal manager.  Over the course of four years, I more than doubled my salary.  I lost that job due to a massive reduction in force (i.e., layoffs).  I went on to lose two more jobs in the span of 12 months – all layoffs.  I struggled.

Somewhere in the middle of all of that, I was diagnosed with diabetes.  I didn’t let that stop me from achieving my dream.  I continued to work hard at every job I had to take.  Some sucked; some didn’t.  But, in the end, it didn’t matter because they were all just jobs.  Even today, it’s just a job.  I earn great money, and that paycheck lets me do and have the things I want, but it’s still just a job. 

My dream was the American dream:  a home in a safe place, a nice car, a good job, and a happy life.  I worked for that dream, and I finally got it. 

But instead of enjoying it, I am faced with the reality of a $2600 tax bill when others, who contributed nothing to our “society,” are receiving thousands back in “refunds.”  I am required to pay additional taxes because Brian and I make a certain amount of money.  Is that fair?  When others do nothing to better themselves and contribute?  I realize that there are now and will always be those who need help.  But, any able-bodied person, who makes a living off “the system,” is not one of them.  To those who would rather sit around and collect disability (while working a job “under the table”), I say get a real job.  To those whose entire income comes from welfare because they’ve had five kids, I say go to work, and then you won’t have the time or energy to produce more children.

That is my financial objection to this bill.

Next, I want to talk about what happens when the government “runs” anything.  Do any of you like going to the DMV?  Is it an efficient and pleasant experience?  Are the people nice?  What about when you have to deal with the IRS?  Is doing your taxes easy?  Maybe for some it is, but for us, it’s so damned complicated that we almost always screw something up.  I cannot recall a single experience with a government entity that was either pleasant or efficient.  I know we all loathe dealing with our insurance companies whenever there is a problem.  Imagine how much worse it will be when you have to call the government!

That is my administrative objection to this bill.

Under the new law, those who do not purchase health insurance will be fined.  For the first time in American history, citizens will be REQUIRED to purchase something.  Some of you might say that we’re required to purchase auto insurance.  Yes, we are, but only if we want to drive a car.  You do have a choice.  Under this law, a person with a pulse will be required to purchase health coverage.  That is unconstitutional.  I will ALWAYS have health coverage because I’m a diabetic, and it’s a priority.  But, I do NOT want the government having any say in that choice.  It is my decision.

That is my constitutional objection to this bill.

Did anyone read this bill?  Seriously, I’m curious.  Other than the snippets we got from media sources, which were neither fair nor balanced, we have no idea what those nearly 3000 pages said.  As a diabetic, this provision bothers me:

The Senate-approved version of the bill contains a $2 billion yearly tax on medical equipment manufacturers.  The tax will climb to $3 billion in 2017. Money from the tax will help the government subsidize insurance coverage for those who lack it.

Medical equipment manufacturers like Insulet and Dexcom?  Who do you think those taxes will be passed on to?

And what about those non-healthcare related items in the bill?  What about all of those little “pet projects” that got $3 million here and $7 million there?  Those add up fast.  Politicians made deals to secure votes.  Sure, it’s always been done that way, but that doesn’t make it right.

Then, there is the absolute lack of transparency in the entire process.  It was shady, with phone calls from the President to lawmakers urging (threatening?) them to vote Yes.  There was so much pressure to get this thing done because it became about so much more than healthcare.  This was a full-on battle of the parties, and it was ugly. 

That is my political objection to this bill.

In the end, the opinions of the American people meant nothing.  According to Gallup polls, the majority of Americans did not want this bill to pass.  Democrats, Republicans, Independents … it doesn’t matter.  Regular, hardworking, American people did not want this, and a bunch of Washington politicians decided that they knew better. 

This is a very slippery slope, folks.  This could and probably will lead to even more government intervention in our daily lives.  Many of you reading this believe that socialism is good; distribution of wealth is good.  I disagree.  If I wanted to live in a socialist country, there are plenty to choose from.  I did not spend the past 20 years working my ass off so that someone with no ambition and no motivation can live off of my hard-earned money.  I live in a city with a high population of residents on one form or another of government assistance.  Many have a legitimate need for it; many do not.  It’s a lot easier to be idealistic about these matters when you’re not knee-deep in people abusing the system.

To me, this is not about Democrat or Republican; it’s about right and wrong.  Healthcare reform is desperately needed; we all agree on that.  This bill, and anything that gets us closer to Universal Healthcare (or whichever term is being used this week), is not.

If I’ve offended anyone with this, I apologize, but just as you are entitled to your opinion, I am entitled to mine.  If you want to comment, feel free, but do so respectfully.

Comments (6)

By shannon, January 22, 2010 10:44 am

This blog has been cooking for a while.  It’s not diabetes related AT ALL, so if you’re waiting for the tie-in, it’s not happening.

I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I’m a fiscal conservative.  Since I was old enough to vote, I’ve voted Republican.  It’s not that I’m against Democrats; it’s just that my views aligned more with Republicans.  I do not want the government involved in any aspect of my personal life, as long as I obey the law.  They should have no say in who I am, who I love, and what I do to my own body.  They can’t tell me what to wear, where to work, or what to write.  

My reasons for being a registered Republican were always related to matters of money.  My husband and I make fairly decent money.  We’ve both worked extremely hard to advance our careers and earn enough cash to live comfortably.  What I do not like is when the government takes that money and gives it to people who have neither the drive nor the desire to better their lives.  I fully support helping those in need, but I cannot condone laziness or greed.

I believe in a small government.  I believe in capitalism.  I do not support socialism in any form.  Any time government size is increased, freedom is sacrificed.  This belief in freedom was the hallmark of the Republican Party.  Until recently.

Over the past decade or so, the Republican Party has lost touch with its core principles.  The “Religious Right” has taken over and turned it into something it used to be so vehemently against:  unconstitutional.

The First Amendment specifically addresses the rights of religious freedom.  This includes the right to practice no religion at all.  Obviously, this is a biggie – it’s THE FIRST AMENDMENT. 

Thomas Jefferson wrote it best:

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.

So, why is it that conservatives today feel so strongly that religion has a place in government?  

Yesterday, I got sucked into a debate on foxnews.com (yes, I watch and read Fox News) regarding Cindy McCain’s recent photographic support of gay marriage.  While I’m not gay, I strongly believe that homosexuality isn’t a choice.  After all, why would anyone choose to be subjected to the kind of ridicule and discrimination that gays and lesbians face on a daily basis?  However, even if it was a choice, the government has no LEGAL basis to oppose the LEGAL joining of two people.  

Most of the forum posters were staunchly religious and felt that homosexuality is in direct violation of God’s word.  They base this argument on the bible (i.e., a collection of STORIES that contradicts itself with regularity and has been so mangled by translation that it makes little sense).  They argue that the bible is some sort of moral code that must be followed and enforced by the government.  Obviously, this is in direct violation of the First Amendment.

So, I calmly and rationally attempted to explain this in a well-crafted response.  Instead of being even remotely amenable to the concept, the responses consisted mostly of various bible verses.  WTF, Republicans? 

So, from here on out, I am a Libertarian.  I will no longer vote for or support a party that has strayed so far from its core values and become nothing more than a bully, Sunday morning preacher, spewing fire and brimstone nonsense.

Wake up conservatives.  You lost the last election because of this religious nonsense, and if it continues, you’ll lose more and more votes.  This is not Colonial America, and we are not Puritans.  We are the United States of America, and if you’re unclear about what that means, I suggest you give the Constitution a thorough read.

Comments (5)

By shannon, November 10, 2009 9:23 am

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.

Comments (4)

By shannon, November 4, 2009 8:30 am

I’m not a proponent of the current “Healthcare Reform” bill.  I don’t really see this proposed solution as healthcare reform.  To me, it seems like a very easy way for the government to tell me how to live my life.  I strongly agree that we need to reform healthcare in this country, but I oppose this bill.

Granted, I haven’t read all of the current bill.  I doubt anyone has because it’s almost 2000 pages, weighs 20 lbs., and is written is legalese.  It calls for the creation of 50 new agencies, mandates, commissions, etc.  How can any American claim to be educated on something that most lawmakers (who have a vote to cast) can’t even get through.

As a diabetic, I’ve had to make some difficult choices when it comes to healthcare.  I’ve had to stay at bad jobs or accept sub par offers from companies simply because I couldn’t afford NOT to have health coverage.  I freelanced for a while and found that without my husband’s employer-provided health insurance, I’d have been completely and utterly screwed.

In my opinion (as a diabetic and a fiscal conservative), the type of “reform” that we really need is this:

• Health insurance should be 100% portable.  It shouldn’t be tied to a specific employer, and it shouldn’t terminate if you lose your job.
• Pre-existing conditions clauses should be illegal.  We might not like to admit it, but insurance, by its very nature, is a pyramid scheme.  Some people will pay for coverage they never use, which benefits those with chronic conditions like diabetes.  When insurance companies only cover healthy people, they’re always at the top of the pyramid.
• All pharma-to-consumer advertising should be abolished.  If advertising wasn’t an option, pharma companies could charge significantly less for thier products, and still make plenty of cash for R&D.  Why do these companies *need* to spend billions of dollars advertising to *us* and not doctors, anyway?
• There should be a cap on health insurance premiums.  It should be affordable to everyone regardless of a person’s income.  I don’t think it should be free, but I don’t think it should cost $1,000 per month to insure a family.
• There should be a dollar-to-dollar tax deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses.  Having to wait until your expenses exceed 7.5% of your income is just ridiculous.
• If you don’t want to pay for health insurance, you shouldn’t have to.  However, if you get hurt or sick, and need medical assistance, don’t expect the rest of us to pay for your care.
• If you truly can’t afford health insurance, then the existing entitlement programs will have to sustain you.  The fact is that when you work hard, and make more money, you get better stuff.  Whether that stuff is a nice car, or home, or big TV, or better health insurance, the payoff for hard work is the greatest incentive there is.
• Healthcare is NOT a right.  It’s a benefit.
• Taxing things like soda and juice drinks to (allegedly) help with the “obesity epidemic” is really just another way to take in more revenue and fund this proposed healthcare system.  If the real goal is reduce obesity, then instead of punishing (i.e., taxing) people for eating poorly, why not incentivize them to eat healthier.  Provide a tax break for purchasing fruits and vegetables, and people might be more inclined to ditch the cookies and cupcakes.

Our government wastes millions of dollars everyday.  We bleed money.  Wasteful spending is a reality in all aspects of government, and it’s naïve to think that the proposed healthcare reform bill would be any different.  This is not change; it’s more of the same.