Politics as Usual is the REAL Enemy of REAL HEALTH REFORM
specter |ˈspektər| ( Brit. spectre) – noun – a ghost – something widely feared as a possible unpleasant or dangerous occurrence (New Oxford American Dictionary)
It may strike some as unusual to link what on the surface would appear to be purely political to the quest for real health reform. However, there are moments, so called “teachable moments”, when one must point out the unseen obstacles to true reform in our republic. Politics as usual is one of them. Our new president has vowed to end that, as have many of his predecessors. Yet, the actions of Senator Arlen Specter this week speak volumes about the true nature of the reforms that must be undertaken in order to create in our great republic, truly a “more perfect union”.
Senator Specter is experienced in many ways. He is experienced in posturing to get elected. He did so in the past, when he switched from Democrat to Republican and he is doing so now in switching from Republican to Democrat. He is clearly experienced at getting elected since he has spent most of his life doing so. In fact for the past 30 years, Mr. Specter has been a senator from Pennsylvania . . . that is 5 terms . . . 5 senate elections . . . and 5 times the millions of dollars and thousands of promises needed to win those elections. So, in the end, his only reason for switching parties was to help ensure for himself (he hopes) another term in the senate. All this at age 79 and having survived multiple bouts with Hodgkin’s Disease, most recently in July 2008. Does Mr. Specter have no other interests? Is there no room for a new voice in the senate from Pennsylvania? Senator Specter apparently thinks not and sights his desire to complete unfinished business, more funding for NIH and research . . . but, we must point out, that there will always be “unfinished business”.
It is our belief that career politicians at all levels, local, state and federal, have stifled real reform and thwarted the true intent of the Founders of our American Republic. Our founders never imagined that any person would wish to leave their livelihood, be it farming, the law, medicine, teaching or business to pursue a lifetime in politics. How can real health reform proceed, indeed any real political or government reform, with career politicians of this type.
To be fair, Senator Specter has a record of accomplishment, and we commend him for that. He has voted in many cases to advance health care issues over the years without doubt. But we must ask, in the final analysis, what has he done for REAL health reform during his 30 years in the senatorial club?
Let us count the ways:
(1) Did he support, vote for or submit legislation that would require all citizens to have health insurance?
(2) Did he support, vote for or submit legislation that would require all citizens to provide proof of health insurance in order to get a license, enroll in school or get a job?
(3) Did he support, vote for or submit legislation that would prevent health insurers from discriminating against citizens with pre-existing conditions or who were ill?
(4) Did he support, vote for or submit legislation that would force health insurers to sell policies to all consumers, at market based rates, regardless of their health status?
(5) Did he support, vote for or submit legislation that would limit the profit margins that health insurers could obtain through premium hikes and claims denials?
To our knowledge he has not or if so, he has not been sufficiently effective. No doubt many of these issues have come up or been discussed behind the scenes, but it would appear with little effect or notice.
In the end, we wish Senator Specter well, however, we can only hope that the citizens of Pennsylvania will choose someone new . . . anyone . . . regardless of party. Since politicians seem to think their terms in office should be without limit, it is up to the electorate to impose term limits. We can only hope they have the wisdom to do so and thereby help us to achieve REAL reform . . . obi jo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlen_Specter
http://specter.senate.gov/public/
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/s000709/
http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Arlen_Specter.htm
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