Is there room for a centralist?
I have listened and read, with great interest, the ongoing healthcare debate that is taking place on our political stage today. The Andrew Steckling article āSun City political groups divided on healthcareā clearly demonstrates in a microcosmical manner the fervent division that is raging in all corners of this great country.
Unfortunately, the fervor and noise decimal around the issue has risen at times to an unhealthy level that could lead to rigid division inside our families, friends and neighbors, Sun City not excluded. Which leads me to the question: is there room in this discussion for those of us that find ourselves in the center?
That being, someone that is not wed to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, (PPACA), a.k.a. āObamacareā (clearly government mandates are repugnant to a free society) but also believes that the former healthcare delivery model that found over 40 million Americans uninsured and medical inflation outpacing general inflation by 5 to 7 times annually to be indefensible nor could it be sustained without modifications over time. To me the issue has always been how we address our health care crisis, not should we.
Initially, let it be clear, I do not take issue with the Huntley Tea Party or the Huntley Seniors for Progressive Action for articulating their respective positions. To the contrary, I commend them for their advocacy. However, with great respect, I find myself uncomfortable in either camp as it relates to the health care issue.
I understand and share the uncertainty and outright aversion many have for a government mandated healthcare system. Ideally, unhindered healthcare delivered in a free market is preferred. Herein lies the rub, the ever-increasing cost of healthcare, health conditions, and so called managed healthcare restrictions imposed by health insurers have forced many into the ranks of the uninsured or underinsured. In our retirement years, seniors are finding it more and more difficult to incur increased premiums that far outpace inflation rates.
We probably all know someone who retired believing their employerās healthcare coverage would be available to them in their retirement years only to find their coverage terminated or benefits reduced and cost sharing increased. On the other hand, the health care mandate embodied in the PPACA is particularly troublesome for a number of reasons. While we may abhor subsidizing the cost for the uninsured, we have being doing that since the inception of health insurance via a vehicle called cost sharing. Today the average family pays over $1000 a year in increased premiums as a result of cost sharing, paying for the uninsured.
Like many, Iām not convinced āObamacareā is the cure-all or even the answer to our health problems. But I am convinced that the status quo is a costly prescription for disaster. Reasonable minds should be able to formulate a healthcare plan that addresses the need of the citizens not the electability of our politicians.
The sad reality, however, is our elected officials hyperbolically ā both republicans and democrats ā have politicized and alienated us to the point that finding common ground for an affordable and workable solution may no longer be an option.
Respectfully submitted,
Butch Speakman
Tea Party meeting July 17
The Huntley TEA Party meeting Tuesday evening July 17 at Cosman Center introduced a program to members and guests designed to provide and share information related to key issues of our day; namely voting issues for the upcoming general election. These issues include our U.S. economy ā its recovery and growth, government spending and budget controls, failing policies and programs, and our right to liberty. The program āCenter of Influenceā enables and directs us to share fact-based information on the issues that matter with those in our family, our group of friends, neighbors, and others with whom we associate.
An enthusiastic audience watched a brief video presentation of the concepts behind āCenter of Influence,ā how to identify the primary concerns of persons within stakeholder groups who will be most directly affected by consequences of those key issues, and how best to communicate with them. These stakeholders include seasoned citizens, empty nesters, two-income families/kids in school, and young adult workers/new grads; whose concerns include such major issues as debt/deficits, healthcare, economy/jobs, taxes, inflation, energy costs, growth of government, and quality of life for our future. Political campaign distractions, distortions and deceptions are to be identified as such; with focus being directly upon those real issues that will affect our lives today, tomorrow and for future generations to come.
The audience then participated in an exercise of identifying a few of those folks in their circle of influence within these stakeholder groups and who share those related concerns. The presentation again focused upon the facts pertaining to those most important issues, and how best to reach those people for their consideration and understanding. With that comes the opportunity to open a dialog that speaks to reality. This focus helps to enlighten past opinions, and exclude irrelevant political bickering, name calling or blame throwing; things that do not bring about understanding but only further polarize us in our purpose of unity as Americans who want a better tomorrow through constitutionally limited government, fiscal responsibility, and free markets. Comments and commitments following the meeting were encouraging and energizing toward our goals.
Jim Nelson
Bill Broderick
Huntley TEA Party
