March, 2010
Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have my deepest appreciation and gratitude. You carry the future of this great land on your shoulders with each decision you make, each vote you cast, each committee you chair.
Your have to maintain your focus all the time, day in and day out, term in and term out. You have to give your very best, all the time, whether the camera catches you or not, whether Jon Steward or Bill O'Reilly mention you in their monologues.
You have to ignore the chatter, the politics, the party lines and party prompts.
Right now, you are asked to pass the Health Care Bill.
It is the MORAL THING TO DO!
It may not be what you consider the Best thing for all of us. It may even be an irritant to some. But, we , the 90% of the population of these fifty states that are the middle class, we are in need of a sane and affordable health care program.
You are presently covered by a health plan, and so is your family. You are presently employed full time. Good. We love to take care of you while you do the work of the country. But, what if we ( those for whom you work) decided that we couldn't pay you for your work, nor your health care?
You see, employers are cutting down benefits, as insurance companies increase their premiums, or whittle down what they choose to cover to maintain profit margins, as cities and schools struggle to provide services and are forced to lay off employees, or cut benefits.
What you are charged to do is to look at the whole spectrum of services and benefits. You need to see how the entire group of citizens can rally together to keep this ship of state afloat. When do we let a few people in first class continue to eat prime rib and drink champagne when the ship is about to sink because the labor force is starving and can't maintain its strength? A healthy and happy work force with decent benefits will go the extra step to maintain the happiness and welfare of the folks in first class.
It is the reason we put you in the ship's control cabin: You need to make this decision, even if it creates a minor disturbance in first class cabins.
You are our best and brigthtest. Let's hope you can keep your wits and moral compass working well.
This is not a political decision. Republican, Democrat, Independent, Reformer, regardless of our label, regardless of our beliefs in what the government should or should not do, we are a country who doesn't abandon its people to the greed of others.
Right now, greed and self interest may very well be your beliefs if you do not pass a health care bill.
With sincere appreciation,
Rosaria D. Williams
(a volunteer public servant)
20 comments:
Other countries do this for their citizens. We must.
Amen, sister! Wish they'd read your piece and take it to heart!
Oh Rosaria,
I am not too optimistic about any of it .... but we all have to hang in there.
Universal healthcare sounds great. Except for the fact that it doesn't come for free. And adding a trillion dollars to the already-out-of-control deficit will leave a painful legacy for our children when it all hits the fan.
I'm in favor of healthcare reform, but not unless they can find a responsible way to pay for it, without taking on more government debt.
It's never as simple as the biased news media would like you to believe. There is always another side of the story.
Fabulous letter! It's shameful that we don't do this for our own people. I hope they listen, and I really hope they start to analyze how to pay for endless wars as critically as they're analyzing every little aspect of a National Health Care Bill.
clapclapclapclap...
bravo!
Sincere best wishes for this.
It reminds me how lucky I am here in Australia.
I have my fingers crossed for you.
x Ribbon
Well said!
AmenN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aloha, my Friend!
Comfort Spiral
I could not agree more. As my husband and I have always been self-employed, we have always had to purchase our own health insurance. Believe me, we see the need for reform more than most. Our health insurance bill is our highest one each month. It is shameful that our country doesn't not provide heath care for its citizens. Good, quality health care is not just a privilege for the few, it should be a right of every human being. Just like education.
If we took all the money currently spent on American health care and put it into a single payer system we would save 1.4 trillion a year. But then the corporations would cease to exist which strikes fear into them who profit from human misery.
I hope you sent this to your local newspaper ~ it's great!
PS
I gave you one of my weekly Goddess Awards, stop by to collect it soon.
xo
Elise
I really hope the US votes in this health bill. It's ridiculous for any nation to not have basic health coverage for the citizens.
Good luck, and I hope Congress reads your letter.
If it was only that simple and the consequences were only good, who wouldn't agree? However, it's not that simple and the ramifications are only good for the 65 now whats. But I do understand where you're coming from.
Amen! I hope they read this!
I wish everyone would listen to you, Rosaria.
As a Canadian I find it strange that American's aren't willing to share. Americans are very generous in many ways - generous tippers, spend many dollars on food and drink not to mention arms. Everyone is entitled to good health as much as they are to happiness. Of course it costs money but you are a wealthy country. You won't know what I mean until you have the comfort of knowing your fellow citizens care enough about you to dig deep. Good luck.
A very creative approach and presentation for your position! Thoroughly enjoyed reading your thoughts!! You always express your ideas so passionately! It is wonderful to be back, and visiting with you again! ~Janine XO
Your open letter to the powers that be express the view held by many but not openly expressed in writing. Thank You for filling the void in a remarkable manner and telling the view of we who wish to be listened to and be heard. polar bear.
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