I finally saw Sicko yesterday; this movie is worth seeing. Now, I can understand why people dislike Michael Moore: he has a point of view, and if it differs from your own, you’re gonna hate the guy. Even my parents, who are pretty open (not liberal, but open) don’t care to see his movies. Even if you do share his political leanings, he can be a bit much sometimes. I heard this film wasn’t as partisan as the last, so I was excited to see it.
This movie isn’t as political it could have been, so I give him credit for his restraint. He talks about how the insurance and pharmaceutical companies control our health care system and congress, but he doesn’t go after politicians or policy nearly as much as he could have. So in that regard, it’s more along the lines of his first film Roger & Me, where he takes on the issue of big business versus the little guy. Only this time, we’re all the little guy.
If you’re following along at home about the health care crisis, none of what he talks about is particularly new. But there are some dramatic moments in the film that really made me sad, angry and very very sad.
Are we the best country on earth? My answer will be partially in response to a question in comments from over the weekend which was, “ ... in spite of everything, the corruption, the dickheads, the stupidity--where else would you rather live?”
I’m embarrassed that our system is so broken. I don’t understand how I can continue to define our country as “the best” simply because I was programmed to believe that as a child, or because if I don’t buy into that, I’m somehow dishonoring all of the heros that fought and died for my freedom. This country doesn’t mean what it used to mean, it’s something very different now, and I don’t have to like it. (Yes, I read history.) I’d prefer for this country to be much, much better. THAT would be honoring the people who fought and died for us.
“If you don’t like it, leave it!!!” But you know what? That’s ridiculous. A) That’s not what America is all about. If I don’t like it, I vote. Or I become involved in and participate in the democratic process. I’ve done all that and feel I have no choice but to not bother. There is a part in the movie where an ex member of parliament from the UK says something like “it’s harder to govern citizens who are strong and confident. Easier to rule those that are hopeless.” Why are we at the mercy of a government that continues to serve the interests of corporations and big lobbyists? WE THE PEOPLE.
B) Not as easy as all that. It’s difficult to get a visa to live in a foreign country turns out (I’ve tried), they don’t so much want us there. Would I enjoy some time away to gain some perspective on what it means to be American? Yes, I would.
What is the American Dream to you? I think it means freedom. Freedom for the people to govern themselves, to express our beliefs religiously and otherwise without fear of persecution or punishment, the right to education and opportunities so that even the least among us has a fighting chance to rise above our birth circumstances and become the president or an important scholar or a wealthy entrepreneur.
But what’s our reality? We are a people that cares about the least among us. We, as individuals, can not provide health care for the country through charitable giving. It’s down to a social service or private enterprise. The private enterprise model isn’t working. It’s set up to keep us sick. The incentives in place are to keep costs down, not to reward those who make people better.
Our democracy (or republic more accurately) is about corporations, greed and “he who raises the most money wins.” With so much money in politics, how can the interests of the people be served? This is the core of the problem we face as I see it. I understand that people are paranoid about socialism, but what about fascism? Not so much? The movie points out that we already have a smattering of social programs - the US postal service, libraries, police and fire departments. And that other democracies are doing this and it’s a good thing. (As to whether *our* fucked up government has the values to run a universal health care system properly is another story.)
I won’t argue the topic of universal health care any further, but I do believe it should be the right of every American to have access to affordable care. As a self employed person, I spend close to $700 a month on insurance and medication (if money is tight, I skip buying medicine or I take lower than the recommended dosage and I feel “less great” than I could otherwise), that is on top of the procedures and office visits that my insurance company won’t cover for ridiculous reasons like “exceeds the average charge for your area” (instead of paying the difference, I pay it all, thanks assholes).
Over the course of one year, I have accumulated thousands of dollars of medical bills for preventative procedures. I had some tests to diagnose a breast lump and some procedures on my cervix to prevent cancer. Turns out I’m healthy, but I can’t afford to be healthy. I’m one of the lucky ones, sure I don’t get to drive a nice car or go on vacations but I can take care of myself (so far, knock on wood). God help me if I ever get sick. I shouldn’t have to feel afraid when I spend so much money on medical care and insurance. Not in this country, not in America. Dammit.
This is what the movie is about, people like me, the insured. And how the system really is designed for the insurance companies to be in control and to make a profit, which often means it’s a game to pay out as little as possible. Physicians and care givers are not calling the shots, suits in high rise buildings are. Our representatives and candidates talk a good game, but follow the money before you believe it. I, personally, am not sure I can give my vote to a candidate who is bought and sold by the pharmaceutical and insurance industries, not to mention the food industry which I feel is related to the quality of our health—but that’s another story for another day.
A comment over on YouTube expresses exactly how I’m feeling about the campaign so far.
This guy [Dennis Kucinich] is entirely too reasonable, honest, and thoughtful to get elected in this country. I’ll vote for him in protest of the bewildered herd that follows the Obama Hillary moneywagon.
I’m talking about politics a lot lately, aren’t I? So much for that promise not to. :/
I have a question about this whole Scooter Libby thing. He is guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice, right? I’m trying to understand how Americans can tolerate and justify his get out of jail free card.
I really couldn’t bring myself to celebrate the holiday yesterday, and I usually do. I normally pause to give thanks for all that is good in this country and for the freedoms I’ve been blessed with. I side-skirted it yesterday—did a bit of work, cleaned the house, watched Big Love on my DVR. I grow more and more disappointed in the corruption of our country and I just didn’t feel like celebrating much.
Consider if you will the following quotes from republican senators, swiped from great read over on Huffington today.
Sam Brownback (R-KS):
We have lost many things over the past few months: trust in public officials, respect for the rule of law, confidence in the truth of the White House’s public statements. But perhaps the most tragic loss has been the steady erosion of our societal standards.
Wayne Allard (R-CO):
“The Constitution is what preserves the rule of law, and guarantees that we remain a nation of laws, not of men.
“I hold the President to a higher standard because he is the chief law enforcement official of the nation. If he is above the law, then we have a double standard; one for the powerful, and one for the rest.
“The sworn oath is central not only to our Constitution, but also to the administration of justice. Our legal system would not function without it.”
John McCain (R-AZ):
“All of my life, I have been instructed never to swear an oath to my country in vain. In my former profession, those who violated their sworn oath were punished severely and considered outcasts from our society. I do not hold the President to the same standard that I hold military officers to. I hold him to a higher standard.”
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX):
“I was reminded as well, however, that the laws of our Country are applicable to us all, including the President, and they must be obeyed. The concept of equal justice under law and the importance of absolute truth in legal proceedings is the foundation of our justice system in the courts.
“A hundred years from now, when history looks back to this moment, we can hope for a conclusion that our Constitution has been applied fairly and survives, that we have come to principled judgments about matters of national importance, and that the rule of law in American has been sustained.”
All of these quotes were made in 1999 during Bill Clinton’s impeachment. Yet the right is for the most part, silent on this matter. If they’re saying anything, it’s to draw parallels to the Clinton pardons he granted when he left office. (Remember though guys, you were really steamed about that at the time. Didn’t your mama teach you two wrongs don’t make a right?) Hey, I think pardons are bullshit too. Right is right, wrong is wrong, and the president shouldn’t put himself ABOVE THE LAW.
At the core of this, though, is not punishing perjury or obstruction of justice - as in Nixon and Clinton’s cases in recent history. It’s about a matter of NATIONAL FUCKING SECURITY. Not blow jobs.
I thought republicans (the ones that feel that justice has been served here, I suspect or at least hope most of them are as outraged as the rest of us) had big old boners for national security. And, that the white house should be held to some sort of standard for the good of the people. No? Not so much guys?
Why are we, as a nation, putting up with this crap?
That is my question. Please leave answers in comments, thank you.
Warning - I’m going to get all political and preachy, this is a longish post. A bonus recipe to thank you for reading is in the extended entry.
A very good friend of mine sent me a link to this video about how conventional farming methods contribute to global warming, and how organic/sustainable methods offer hope for a solution. It’s excellent, and I implore you to take 10 minutes to watch if this is a “new” idea for you.
If you don’t have 10 minutes, I’ll touch on three key points.
-- Soil from organic farms HOLD 30% more carbon than conventional farming. In other words, it takes carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) out of the atmosphere. It’s not a temporary thing either, it builds year after year.
-- Soil from organic farming methods improve the nutrient density of our food. Consider that in the US, over 20% of the GNP is lost to the medicalization of people. Many of the most serious problems are related to poor diet. Improving our diets could save 71 billion dollars a year in medical costs and lost productivity (not to mention lives).
-- In the United States, agricultural subsidies amount to 15 billion dollars per year. We can ask the president and congress to redirect agriculture subsidies to support sustainable farming. Give farmers the ability, the incentive, to switch to organic methods.
Makes sense to me.
I totally and completely believe in the interconnectedness of health and nutrition and food production and global warming. The government is not on our side on this, and I have to admit, anger is a huge motivator for me. I loves me to get pissed off at the government and big business, especially when it’s in their best interest for me to be SICK.
Ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils ("trans fats") are introduced into our diets to save costs and increase profits in the food industry, but they’re doing serious damage to our bodies. Look around at how fat and ill we’ve become. But we hold all the power if we choose to use it: We can vote, we can create change, with our dollars.
My veggie neighbor said to me, “I’m so glad you’ve become a veggie, the more people that do, the more pressure you put on food producers and restaurants to provide good options.” I’m not saying you need to become a veggie, or that I’m anywhere near perfect on this (I’m learning. I’ve spent a lifetime doing so much harm to my body and I’m trying to reverse the damage as best I can), but we can cut down on buying crap that isn’t doing us any good and buy some organic apples instead of oreo cookies once in awhile. If we do that, we’ve voted with our dollars and done something really good for ourselves and the planet. As my mother always says, “It all adds up.” (Usually in reference to my teenage-self wasting her hard-earned money at Taco Bell but that’s another story ...)
People say, “I can’t buy organic, it’s SO EXPENSIVE.” There’s a line in the book Skinny Bitch that says, “Don’t be a cheap asshole” and the authors are right. If you’ve ever stared at a heap of medical bills, you know that it ain’t cheap to be sick. Good nutrition is an investment in your health, and you’re worth it. Save money someplace else, but spend the extra few cents on quality food, plan your shopping lists and your meals and it won’t cost you anything more than a little more time. Think of how annoying it is to wait in a doctor’s office, you have the time.
A bonus recipe and the benefits of the main ingredients is in the extended entry (because I loves yous!). Learning about the benefits of good foods makes it much more exciting to eat I think. Anyway, I gave some to my neighbors this weekend and the feedback was, “Amazing. Probably the best meal I’ve had all year.” Enjoyeth.
