Does My Vote Really Matter?

For those who didn’t think their vote counted. Here’s a newsflash: it does. Every time, it does.  But for it to count, you gotta show up. 

The next time you’re tempted to stay home as yourself these questions………….

1. What might happen to my environment if I don't vote?

Answer: much, much more of this. Remember "Drill baby drill!"?

Meanwhile, out in the real world this is what is actually going on.

The 'Drill baby drill" crew swears up and down that drilling is now safer than ever, but that red river ain't looking like a particularly good example of safety in action. Unless water's supposed to be red?

2. What could happen to my (or my friends') Civil Rights if I don't vote?

Answer: an erosion of the comfortable, easy, diverse universe you've known your whole life.

It is not accidental that it took this nation until the late 19th century to begin to acknowledge the Civil Rights of some of its members. Neither is it a surprise that those rights have been challenged and undermined at every opportunity since.  That's kinda the way we do. Resistance to the principles and practice of equality remains a central theme of American social, political, and economic life.  

If people who are uncomfortable with growing diversity are going to vote, then those of us who embrace it must vote in larger numbers. That's the math.

3. What could happen to my healthcare if I don't vote?

Answer: the candidate you fail to vote against might wipe out any chance you have of owning some.

If you're really lucky, the eventual election winner might think health savings accounts (HSAs) make sense. But in a world where income barely meets current expenses HSAs are not going to help you much.  

Or, alternatively, the winning candidate might gut healthcare access entirely, as they seem intent on doing in Minnesota. Check out this list of procedures and care options that AREN'T covered. Numbers 1, 5 and 23 are especially interesting. But don't worry about them because there's no war on women.

As I written before, democracy is nothing without us in it. We may have forgotten recently that democracy won't continue without our express participation but I think we know different now. We have the proof that it will not. We gotta show up. Every time. 

We must get back in the game. And we must do so in numbers too large to ignore. 

This Healthcare Debate is making me crazy!

Ah.......so much to say, so little space.

Over the last many weeks and months I've often had to remind myself that any conversation about health care where 'cost' rather than 'value' becomes the central point around which all arguments coalesce is pretty much a waste of time as the two notions cannot peacefully coexist.

Is this expensive yes. Is this necessary yes…but only necessary if, as a nation, we believe that there are no throwaway people. If we accept that some people should just be left to their fate, then doing nothing works just fine. If we believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness then perhaps we need to think again about reform.

Sometimes life is not as simple as "if you want what your neighbor has go work for it". Sometimes people get sick and can't work, what then should they do? Sometimes we are born with things growing where nothing should grow, what then should we do? Should such people never be free to have insurance and be protected from that and any other health curve balls that may be lobbed in their direction? I’m just wondering.

Let us not be coy. This reform, imperfect though it may be, isn’t about class warfare [though that’s a great clarion call for conservatives to rally round]. Seems to me it’s about life and death. It’s about access vs denial. I think once you shake all the other stuff off and quiet the noise and rancor, that’s the core principle. Is this America’s core principle? That people matter? I matter. Do you? Who gets to decide who does and who doesn't? Does my pocket book determine my value? Food for thought.