Took off for lunch with a couple of fantastic moms and Governor Romney (well, we just heard him speak and took a photo -which my camera- lost with him). Very charismatic man... and I think very excellent in some important regards. For me right now I think my biggest concerns are: health care (a mess!), sustainable use of natural resources (atrocious!), and the Iraq situation (all of the above!). Of course, there are other pressing issues (the family), but right now these are the three that I deliberate at length. Unfortunately, I have not heard him address the second. In fact, the only related "issues" section on his website is "energy." Important yes, but it MUST be couched in a much larger paradigm to management of natural resources. Sigh.
Are republicans really just going to continue pretending that the issue doesn't exist; that we're not at a point in world civilization when these issues must be addressed? Arg. It's ok if they're not scientists, can't they just get some non-big business funded science advisers? Arg! Ok, but this is a tirade for another blog (I actually have one reserved that I'm gearing up to launch whenever I get brave enough).
I love what he's done for Massachusetts's health care though. News flash: THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING! Something needs to change, and socialized medicine -the model which many other top candidates seem to be promoting- is NOT the answer (in my humble opinion). I have lived in a country where that is the system. Sure, I could always see a doctor, but here's what it entailed: having a whole slew of student observers for an exam of a rather private nature; calling in the morning with bronchitis to be assigned a general time slot at which to show up to a clinic where I then waited for an hour only to be called back with ten other people who all watched one another other as we one-at-a-time filed to the chair to be swiped, swabbed, and prescribed. Nuts! The system is awful for both patients and doctors! Though our system right now isn't much better -with only insurance bureaucrats and malpractice lawyers truly profiting. But back to Governor Romney... his approach flushed out a major foundational flaw that I hadn't really pinpointed... so many people who don't have insurance drive up health care costs because they receive treatments for which they can never pay. His solution was to implement compulsory insurance (everyone must have coverage) but to offer different levels of assistance based on income so that everyone could afford it. This actually decreases the cost of both medical services as well as insurance premiums. It makes perfect sense to me... Many states require all drivers to carry insurance coverage. Yet, so many people are living on the brink of medical need without any coverage. Hospitals are required by law to treat everyone regardless of ability to pay, so it makes sense that everyone should be required to assume some level of responsibility for their health... and to make that attainable through affordable insurance is all too necessary. Anyway, this is such a big deal for me. Governor Romney took a mess and emerged with an out-side of the box/realistic solution.
On to the war. Admittedly, I don't have much of an idea of what needs to be done here besides that we're there and must not leave things in a lurch... and that while we're there we must be providing adequate resources to those laboring there.
I like Governor Romney. I feel like he has a demonstrated ability to assess difficult situations and turn them around (that's how he made his bucks as a professional). And I think our nation desperately needs that. Though many would blow him off, I think he is a strong candidate. I admittedly need to investigate other candidates more though.
Gov. Romney came to Atlanta. I didn't make this poster... was just holding it for a friend.
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6 comments:
I can tell you're very educated on the subjects. I'm with you about socialized medicine -- my sister-in-law is from a country with it as well, and I didn't know that about Romney's position. Thanks for posting.
I love that you study these things, and then put them in layman's terms for those who are politic deprived like meewah! Good to know!
Oh Sarah. That is neat you met Mitt. And you're cute to post that entry. I gave to his campaign. But I still don't know who I want a Pres.
You know what I think? I think I'm becoming some what of a libertarian. I was just thinking, why do we need to hand those issues over to the government? Why can't we tackle those issues on our own? You know by us running to the government and asking them, "What can you do to fix these problems?" we are handing over our freedoms to them. And as far as I can tell, the more power you give the government, the less you have. And more regulation means more taxes and less money for your own use.
I have been studying Russia and the USSR lately since we are going to be in St. Petersburg in less than a month. I am SO grateful for our system of government. We are so blessed to live in this land where we can say what we want and do what we want and not be afraid of being killed or sent off to concentration camps. Can you imagine living your life on pins and needles for fear of losing everything you own all the time? That's the way it was.
Even though people do things with good intentions, the fact still remains that the more laws you make, the more power the government has. And before we know it, we are being regulated in every aspect of our lives. Power corrupts people. It's just human nature. So the more power we give to our leaders, the more powerful they will feel. And the less inclined they will be to listen to us, We the People... WE are the rulers of this nation. WE gave those in Congress the power to act for us, as a people.
Now tell me. How often do you feel like the leaders you elected actually listen to what you want? (From your blog, you feel the same frustrations as I do.) The more power we give them, the more powerful the leader will feel. Don't forget that the People of the United States of America are in control of America, and NOT Congress.
Love you girl!
Hmmm Mel,
I see your point. I will have to mull this over for a while. The Machiavellian training in me says that the easiest way to promote order in society is through laws. Yet I know there must be boundaries and limits and that we musn't be compelled in all things. But then I see how other's poor choices can adversely impact me and mine and I yearn for more laws. So, your point gives me a much needed pause for reflection. Thanks Mel!
Ooops! Hobbes (Sir Thomas), not Machiavelli! Sorry! The idea I'm referring to is that we each give up certain options (for example, the freedom to drive down the road at 104 mph) because we feel that the advantages of belonging to an orderly society out-weigh what we give up by doing so. Sorry to use a phase so inaccurately!
Sarah--- I love you! You're awesome!!!! I agree with the healthcare issue--- maybe because I am from canada... I am a little biased about how the us runs their healthcare-- but.... there is a real issue. I am sad to say this--- but micheal mores "Sicko" gives a pretty good picture of the american healthcare-- and robert and I have been so blessed not to have been hung up in that mess when he had cancer-- we were the few I think who actually had good coverage and where you didn't have to fight tooth and nail to get things covered. Its sad what some people have to face-- or what some of us will have to face fincially because of medical care. I guess you could say I'm very a conservative in canada... and in the us.. I can't agree fully with either two parties..... there needs to be some middle ground in both--- Anyway--- such is the system... I am not very good at keeping up with everyone/reading blogs frequently--- but do you know what you guys are having?
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