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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

It's Sinking In

It’s finally beginning to sink in to me that passion alone is not enough to affect change, persistence is the key. Always had heard that cliché “perspiration not inspiration” brings success. Not particularly poetic for one who has delved into the arts as his raison d’etre, but in the end the relentless pursuit for truth and justice takes time and focused energy.


Two weeks ago, I watched the Senate Finance Committee finish it’s deliberations and “mark up” of the bill they ultimately recommended to the Senate. For all of the intense animosity that has gone back and forth between the two parties, it was remarkable to see the negotiative legislative process at work. Taking a step back from the passion driving the move towards healthcare reform, it was obvious to see that both sides care about the issue. They burnt the midnight oil, tried to remain civil and looked for ways to agree. After watching the debates on the issues it was apparent to me that common ground exists. However small, it’s the place from where this reform is coming from. The ego stroking aside, I witnessed, along with anyone who cared to be lulled by the obscure language and parliamentary protocol, a process of which I am confident (but not certain), that will deliver far reaching benefits for our society as a whole.


The news of that week from the House of Representatives was not Rep. Grayson of Orlando Florida dissing the Republicans, but rather his impassioned acknowledgement of the incredibly high number of Americans that are dying each day in this country without healthcare. Lives are being lost by continued inaction and Grayson continues to make the case each day and each hour of the expanding cost to human life thru inactivity. His upfront, in your face presentations make it impossible to avoid. Attention must be paid to the fact that the longer we do nothing, the more people will die. That’s exactly what happened during the Holocaust and the mantra thereafter was “Never Again”. I’m sure today families are huddled again feeling persecuted by a society that hasn’t had the time or awareness to help them attain what I believe to be their right. Having affordable and quality healthcare insurance for themselves and their families. We’ve all become callous to death while watching the latest “entertainments” on television and in film. Hundreds of violent and horrific images are flashed before us in a moments time. But a death lasts within a family forever. It marks us deeply.


If government exists for any good reason, it is to protect its citizens. No one wants to get sick and it is our common duty to protect and help our neighbors when their health is threatened just as if the physical security were threatened. There are too many people one healthcare crisis away from financial ruin and unconscionable numbers are dying each day without the coverage that would save their lives. It is our duty to speak of it every hour of each day until our lips are parched and our energy drained until something gets done.