I'm skurred...and a touch turrified

Can I just say how uncomfortable the political scene is making me right now? No, not "oh my Gosh, I'm not going to get my way" scared, but "holy shit, how long until this turns into mass killings" scared. People are getting way too emotionally riled by this healthcare issue, and it's starting to...no, it IS feeling like it's about to turn nasty in a way that American legislation has not in many years.

The first thing about this healthcare debate that bothers me is the rapid-fire misinformation that's being shot from both sides. While I know this is going to ruffle feathers, the majority of this misinformation is being disseminated from a very few republican talking heads and congressmen (is there a difference?). Claims about death squads, rationing emergency care, forcing everyone to get on the same health care plan, etc seem to be shooting rapidly around a room of ever-angered crowds. Since when is it considered okay to just openly LIE about things? I'm honestly to the point where I don't see any value in government transparency, if it means that people aren't going to bother fact-checking what they're told.

Second, the mob mentality is getting out of control. Democrats are angry and defensive. People like Keith Olbermann are using some rhetoric that's unhelpful (to steal a phrase from our Secretary of State). But you don't see the crazed ANGER that you see from the republicans at these town hall meetings we keep hearing about. That's partially because I haven't attended one. You can bet your sweet, sweet ass that if I were at a meeting and I sat near some crazed old fuckworm screaming loudly to drown out conversation, I'd have NO qualms about just marching over there and punching him square in his semi-toothless face. I mean, I'm actually ANGRY at these people for being so childish and stupid. And if you don't agree with me that screaming to get your way is stupid, then I'm not going to apologize. That's how I feel. Only dumb pieces of shit would go to a political meeting and yell to prevent others from speaking. I don't care WHAT party you are, that's just unacceptable behavior. It's a face-punching offense. Angry mobs do not a safe place make.

It's not just at the town hall meetings, either. People are carrying signs saying "don't let my disabled child die at the hands of a death panel" or "don't let Obama keep you sick"...WTF does that even mean???? It's extremely manipulative to say things like that, especially when they're not true. There are plenty of people participating in this who are poor and marginalized, or who are ignorant and stupid. That's a granted in any situation. But there are intelligent people getting sucked in by the bullshit, and I think that's scary. Doctors and lawyers are believing radical theories and protesting in a manner that's flat-out unamerican. America is a place for rationality, not fear-stampeding like a herd of cattle who've heard a gunshot nearby.

Failed republican leaders like Sarah Palin are jumping in and using their positions to disrupt political progress, and that's wrong, too. Nancy Pelosi isn't doing much better. The only person I see doing things in a calm, collected, and kind manner is Barack Obama himself, and he's the one being villified.

On a side note, how is it that people think Obama is trying to steal business from health insurers. Does anybody think he's allowed to benefit from this at all? Like, does he get a check from our employers if they chose the government plan? No, he doesn't. I think his plan has flaws, but not the ones being mentioned. And I certainly don't think he's trying to be a bad guy or deceive or anything else. I believe he truly is trying to do what he thinks is best for the US. And I think he'll accomplish it. The crazier the GOP gets, the more likely this is to get pushed through. Because many of us who were on the fence about it have been driven away from the right completely, just out of irritation and general avoidance of frantic fear-energy. As the right has gotten right-er, the middle has been forced onto the left.

Finally, I think it's important to note one thing: The status quo doesn't work. It doesn't. There are kids who have teeth rotting painfully out of their mouths. There are elderly people who can't afford basic medical care, and are left with things like untreated diabetes (gangrene feet and all). My plan, if I were president (and let's all be grateful that I'm not) would involve a completely fee-for-service only plan. Or possibly the "medical home" notion, wherein you pay dues to be part of a medical group, and you use the healthcare you need. Employers could pay these dues, but it'd be the same month-to-month, regardless of what care or lack of care you received. And I'd pay for the children and elderly by TAXING THE FUCK out of processed, sugary, fattening foods. I'd tax sodas and beer and cigarettes and Doritos and McDonalds and Velveeta. I'd throw tariffs around willy-nilly at rice-a-roni, ramen noodles, doughnuts, and candy bars. I'd tax items at restaurants PER CALORIE over a generous meal limit. Let's say we allow a SINGLE MEAL to be 1000 calories. There'd still be an extra thousand calories per meal at places like Applebees and Chilis. That's just cash dollas in my governmental purse. Why? Because obesity causes the American health care system 147 billion dollars per year. That's a pretty big chunk of change.

Maybe we should all just calm down a little and encourage others to do the same. It may be fun to be in heated debates, but in the end the debates that remain calm and friendly are the ones that accomplish the most.