Shedding Pounds and Blowing Off Steam

This was supposed to be a blog about my weight-loss progress. I signed up for an online personal trainer about a month ago, and I figured it was time for an update (more on that later). But this past week I've been increasingly bothered by a weightier issue than my size: the health care debate. Or, more accurately, I'm bothered by the lack of a debate.

All this week there have been reports and numerous video clips of town hall meetings in which the proceedings were shut down before they even began. Mobs of angry people protesting health care reform have been showing up at these meetings and shouting down the congressmen and women trying to conduct a forum. Most, but not all, of these meetings are being conducted by Democratic representatives. The protesters, apparently assuming that any Democrat is in support of the current health care reform bill making its way (or not) through Congress, are using the "shout down" tactic to disrupt the meeting, thereby making it impossible for anyone else to get his or her questions answered.

Some news outlets have reported that many of these protesters are actually hired by the health insurance and pharmaceutical lobbies to disrupt these meetings. These so-called "astro-turf" organizers (that is, fake "grassroots" groups) are sent to the meetings with a scripted "spiel" and instructions on how to effectively interrupt -- and therefore stop -- the meeting. There have even been reports that some of these protesters have been bussed in, courtesy of the lobbyists, although such reports have been roundly denied. It also appears that many Republican party members, while perhaps not directly involved in organizing these protesters, have at least been complicit in these mob scenes through their own silence.

However this debacle began, it now seems clear that, encouraged by the "astro-turf" protesters, other "angry" people have started coming out of the woodwork to join them. The mob mentality has truly taken hold; otherwise reasonable people are joining in the melee, spurred on by unsubstantiated rumors about "killing off" the elderly and their own emotions. And for some, this is just an excuse to engage in anti-social behavior. Whatever the reasons, one thing is clear: another round of fear-mongering is in full swing.

What happened to civil public discourse in this country? When, exactly, did we devolve into a nation of "I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore" mobs? Has it occurred to any of these so-called protesters that they elected the very people they are trying to shut down? Instead of showing up at these meetings with clenched fists and "Just Say No" banners, why not sit down and actually listen to what these congressmen and women have to say? They are there to answer questions. Well, then, ASK QUESTIONS! But do it calmly and civilly, and then LISTEN to the response. If more people kept their cool and actually gave our representatives a chance to explain themselves, they might learn that the health care reform bill isn't quite as scary as some would lead us to believe. At the very minimum, we need to have a structured, civil, and productive debate on this very important issue -- not a free-for-all.

Now, what does all of this have to do with my weight-loss efforts? Well, I for one would like to know what exactly is in this health care reform bill. I have pre-existing conditions that may improve as I drop the pounds, but the very fact that I've been treated for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, for example, automatically puts me in a precarious position if my health insurance plan changes. And it could change on a dime whether Congress passes a reform bill or not. That's the point. In my opinion, those who are saying no reform is needed because they're happy with their current plan aren't looking very far down the road. You could lose your job, have a catastrophic illness or accident, or your insurance company could go out of business. Remember AIG? Lots of folks were upset with the bailout of AIG, declaring that they should "be allowed to fail." I don't disagree with that, but consider the ramifications of an insurance company failing under the current system -- what happens to the people who depend on that company for their health insurance? You see, it's a very complex issue; there' so much more to this than whether or not the elderly will be forced to make a living will.

Look, I don't even pretend to know what this bill contains, which is why I'd like to hear someone in Washington explain it to me and be willing to answer any questions I might have. But, in order for that to happen, we have to turn down the heat on the boiling pot and let our representatives speak. Until or unless cooler heads prevail, I'm afraid we'll never get to ask those questions. We're only hurting ourselves when we allow this kind of display to continue. I'm calling on Republicans and Democrats alike to say ENOUGH with the mob scenes. Yes, these are our elected officials, and we should hold them accountable for the content of their legislation. But, last time I checked, this is still a government of the people and by the people as well as for the people. We have a responsibility, too, to at least hear them out and to LISTEN.

So, for my part, I'm going to keep working on losing weight, just in case health care reform goes by the boards. I believe in personal responsibility, and for me, the best health insurance is taking care of myself. Well, I've lost 4 lbs. this past month. I must be doing something right.