Dancing for Mojitos & Healthcare

Being the “token liberal” from California, I am just jaded enough to suspect that some of my friends invite me to things just to see me dance around like a monkey when politics are discussed. While Dallas is a progressive bubble compared to the uber-conservative hinterlands of Texas, it’s still pretty conservative by Left-Coast standards.

So a few weeks ago, I was at a friend's house drinking mojitos. As soon as the subject of healthcare was raised, I suddenly became the "liberal-in-the-room". It was as if I had suddenly stepped into a spotlight prepared just for me...or a noose.

I disagreed with many of the reasons that were raised against some form of nationalized healthcare (“healthcare is not a right”). However, to everyone's disappointment and my own surprise, I really didn’t get too worked up about it. It just is not an issue that I am passionate about. I have insurance.

So the morning after this non-emotional debate occurs, I am watching the roundtable on This Week With George Stephanopolous, when I learn that Texas’ rate of uninsured is higher than most of the country –24.6%. That means that almost 1 out of 4 of my friends and neighbors are going to lose their shirts if they are ever broadsided in an intersection or diagnosed with something horrible.

Call it “liberal guilt” or whatever, but that sort of struck me.

Fast forward to last Saturday. I am driving along Northwest Hwy right in front of Northpark Mall, and I see a bunch of seemingly normal people standing on the corner. Well, somewhat normal, since it was hell’s-furnace HOT on that day and they were pacing up and down this corner in the sun waving signs. They were middle age to late 50’s/early 60’s. The type of people who you would normally see pulling out of a mega-church’s parking lot on their way to brunch at the Waffle House on a Sunday morning. And they were holding signs with slogans like “Don’t Mess With My Healthcare!”.

My passion for this issue came full circle at this moment.

It’s one thing to bounce it around like a ball over cocktails.

Understanding how this issue affects those around me brought it a little closer to home.

But to see people standing on a busy street corner, sacrificing their Saturday afternoon to promote their own self interest while figuratively giving-the-bird to 24.6% of the cars passing – that’s pretty shameless. You like your healthcare? Fine. But the fact millions of Americans do not have healthcare is an issue that affects everyone from the Left Coast to the Waffle House, whether or not we have insurance.

To ignore this truth is not only economically irresponsible, but morally unfathomable.
There is a solution. Slogans on signs and tunnel vision will not help us find it.