Liberal and conservative viewpoints have, in the 21st century, become ever more widely separated. Whether it be LBGT rights, health care, or the wars we are fighting, Democrats and Republicans disagree on most issues. Why the conflict? Well, it boils down to different ways of getting things done. Left wing advocates usually look out for the betterment of the group, while conservatives look for the betterment of the individual. It’s hard to convince people to help others when they themselves are not being helped, but the health care plan proposed helps both the greater community and the individual equally.

United States health care is the best in world. The latest technology, research, years of schooling and thousands of dollars go into making a doctor worthy of working at one of America’s fine hospitals. However, our health care system is not. Forty-seven million people in the United States live without health care. That’s more than the populations of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming combined. If these 47 million people were all living together, the health care plan would have passed years ago, but because they are spread out, they are almost invisible. These people need help and reform, but if it means tax increases for the rest of the nation, especially for people who have independent health care, neither Democrats nor Republicans will allow the bill to pass to congressional review.

Democrats may support it anyway because it is for the good of the group. Why should Republicans vote for this reform? Yes, in the short term it means tax increases, but in the long run it could mean more money in our pockets. The healthier we keep ourselves, the less health care will cost us all in the long run. If people start eating healthier, get regular physicals, and learn of the benefits of aerobic exercise the obesity rate will decrease, heart disease will not be the number one killer of women and expensive medical procedures will diminish. Lower taxes will put more money in the American citizen’s pocket. In addition, if health insurance companies stop competing, the cost of regular check ups will go down, which means saving on co-pays when going to physicals. And if malpractice settlements are regulated, doctors will not need to perform unnecessary expensive tests. While the health care reform bill may have some serious issues that still need to be resolved, a bill should at the least go to congressional review. Voice your concerns to Senators Gillibrand and Schumer and Congressional Representatives Paul Tonko and Scott Murphy.

Originally published in the October 2009 edition of Classic Columns