Bad Faith

I see only one or two possible conclusions after yesterday's Senate committee vote on health care: that Republicans are simply choosing not to think beyond purely ideological lines, to put party allegiance and self-interest ahead of this country's self-evident needs, and to ignore the voice of the majority of people in favor of the more profitable voice of the insurance companies. Or that they are so vengeful, and so concerned with their return to power that they are willing to do anything to obstruct even the least liberal of efforts by the Democrats--and particularly this democratic President.

Why else would it be impossible to gather more than a single, very reluctant vote for this pitifully watered-down version of health care reform?

If those Senators and those Republicans were actually giving serious thought to the moral and economic implications of their lockstep opposition, there would surely be some tiny glimmer of dissent among their ranks. Nothing. There is no serious debate, no engagement of ideas, no compromise from that side of the aisle. And yet the Democrats have offered compromise after compromise. I'm sorry, friends, this is cannot be considered a matter of honest disagreement. This is bad faith, pure and simple. Bad faith on the part of the insurance companies. Bad faith on the part of those whom they have apparently bought off with their money and their influence.

It's a disgrace, and one that leaves the rest of the world aghast at the inability of this "beacon of democracy" to achieve what every other affluent country achieved years ago. Despite all our wealth and privilege, we are apparently still unwilling to make the moral and financial commitment to provide for the health of our own citizens. We are, however, willing to make it possible for those with power and influence to increase their wealth and power at the cost of the suffering of those who lack them. As I say, it's a disgrace.

I understand that the legislative process still allows for modifications to the proposal that received a bare nod of approval yesterday. I would like to believe that they will lean in the direction of access and affordability for all Americans. But, given the deplorable political comedy that has characterized things thus far, I don't hold out much hope.