TIPsters.... Apologies in advance if this lacks appropriate TIPs content. Psychology is indeed a health-related field, and there has been some discussion about health care reform here already.
If you agree, please pass this on. If not, no flames please. Rational discussion is fine. -- Jim An Open Letter to Democrats in Congress (and anyone else who will listen) I am sending this note to my congressional representatives, to my Facebook friends, and to a couple of email lists to which I subscribe. If you agree with me, please send it to your congressional representatives and to your own Facebook friends. If you do not agree with me, and I anger you, feel free to drop me as your Facebook friend. I would prefer, however, that we instead use this as a chance to engage in cool-headed, rational dialogue. These is far too little of that going on these days. Dear Democratic Senator or Representative, Do the right thing. Pass a sweeping Health Care Reform Bill. Now. You have a large majority in the House of Representatives. You have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. You CAN pass a bill simply by voting along party lines. You KNOW it is the right thing to do. SO DO IT. You KNOW that we, as Americans, pay more for a lower quality of health care, compared to other developed nations. You KNOW that, if left unchecked, health care costs will rise until they dominate and eventually cripple our economy. You KNOW that many Americans do not currently have health insurance, and you KNOW this number will increase unless something is done. You KNOW how easy it is for someone to lose their insurance coverage. You KNOW that many people simply cannot obtain or afford health insurance. You KNOW that much of the opposition to health care reform is based on misinformation and fear fostered by those who benefit from the current system. You KNOW something has to be done. SO DO IT. Perhaps you are worried that you will not be reelected if you support health care reform. Perhaps this is true. I am asking you to be brave, take the risk, and do the right thing. So what if you are not reelected? You will be able to retire from politics knowing that you did the right thing. You are a talented person. You have made many important connections during your time in Washington. Believe me; you will have lots of employment opportunities. Your family will not starve. You might respond by telling me that a majority of Americans are satisfied with their current health insurance. I wonder is this really a relevant statistic? A SUBSTANTIAL minority of Americans are in fact not happy with their insurance, and cannot really afford to pay for what they do have. A smaller but still SUBSTANTIAL minority have no insurance at all, either because they cannot afford it or because they are uninsurable. You, and all Americans, should be concerned about them even if you are happy with you have yourself. This isn't a majority rules type of question. Suppose we were talking about unemployment. Most Americans are employed. Does that mean we shouldn't care about the substantial numbers who are unemployed? Of course not. You might say It is my job to represent my constituents, and my constituents do not favor health care reform. Indeed it is your job to represent your constituents. It is also your job to educate your constituents, and do what is right for your constituents even when they don't understand it. Do you really think our current health care system is what is right for your constituents? Would your constituents really oppose health care reform if they understood how easily they could lose their insurance? Would your constituents really oppose reform if they understood how the rising costs will eventually cripple our economy? Would your constituents really oppose reform if they understood that we pay more for less, compared to much of the rest of the world? Would your constituents really oppose reform if they could somehow see through the fear tactics used by the opposition? I know it is difficult to educate your constituents when the opposition tries to shout you down but educate you must. Educate, and then do the right thing. Perhaps you or your constituents are worried that health care reform will destroy the private insurance industry. I don't think this will actually happen... but what if it did? The only way this will destroy the private insurance industry is if that industry is unable to deliver a quality product at a competitive price. Suppose that reform legislation was indeed able to produce a product as good or better than what is currently available, at a lower cost. Yes, the insurance industry would have difficulty competing. Would that be so bad? The American people would have something better. They would be paying less for more quality. Sounds like a good deal to me. What is the worst-case scenario here? Hmmm the worst case is that reform fails, so what is the second worst? The second-worst case is that Democrats would lose control of the White House and both houses of congress. I don't think this will happen, but what if it did? Remember, we would finally have health care reform. Even if conservatives were to regain the majority, it is doubtful they would have 60 seats in the Senate, so it won't be easy to repeal the reform. Once reform is in place for a few years and people experience how much better it is there won't even be a desire to repeal it. I am asking you to do something for which there is considerable political risk, to you personally and to your party. True leaders are willing to take political risks. True leaders are willing to make unpopular decisions when they know it is the right thing to do. Be a leader. Do the right thing. James D. Dougan Bloomington, Illinois August 11th, 2009 --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
