Rousseau once said, "Let us set aside the question, for it has no bearing on the answer." Sounds sort of funny doesn't it? As we grow in development, we are taught, without a doubt, of the strong correlation between a question and it's answer, however, in this case, sometimes the question in itself has so much more to offer us than any kind of answer we may have the intelligence and ability to scrounge together. I think health care, is a perfect subject that holds this same strange question/answer dichotomy. However, at the end of the day, as everything in the United States, must first be looked at under the microscope of the U.S. Constitution, and then second, by the American citizen and it's effects on your personal life. Take out the "No Spin Zone," take out the statistics and random graphs that are posted on the various news channels. Sit down with yourself, or with your family- and ask yourself/each other what the black and white implications of a bill of this nature presents. I'll share with you all, candidly, the kinds of questions I have been asking myself...
Is a universalized health care system permitted by the United States constitution? If so... where does it have evidentiary proof? (Precedent irrelevant to this question... although, I imagine you would be hell-bent to find that as well.)
Where does the money come from to offer these services?
Can I go to the medical doctor of my choice?
If a person smokes cigarettes, binge drinks alcoholic beverages, and eats fast food on a daily basis- (or in other terms, is virtually irresponsible with his/her body)- are they granted the same monetary relief as someone who takes personal pride in keeping their bodies as healthy as they can within their control? If they do, as the aforementioned qualities will ultimately lead to obesity, cancer, and liver disease....is the government (note "government" actually means "all the citizens of America who will endure the tax hike for this bill") going to pay for their excessive treatments?
What will the protocol be if I am in need of an emergency surgery that the government health care system has to approve the costs for? Will waiting lists be employed, and with so many "forced clients" this system will have, will their response come too late? Could people die waiting for their procedures as is often the case in Sweden, Great Britain, and other countries who have tried a similar system?
Who pays for it? Is it a fair distribution amongst all the American people?
How much debt are we ALREADY in right now? What are the predictions of that debt with this system added on top of it?
Things to ponder.....
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Now on to the subject that has been really pulling on my heart this past week! For spring break, the last two years, I have driven to Charlotte, NC to stay with my cousin Kathleen, her husband, and their children; Hayden (7), Logan (5), Girffin (3), and Sydney (1). It has always been such a wonderful "break" from my reality, and I've found the banter with a five year old boy more fulfilling than the conversations 23 year old boys I have had, (note: strategic use of the word "boy" following the age of 23- that was wholly intentional). Children, of all ages have such a keen perspective that is so difficult for adults to access within their own minds again, as our psychological development makes it virtually impossible to tap into as time passes.
As I helped my cousin and her husband prepare the "troops" for bed, an interesting comment flew from the lips of Logan, the five year old. He said, "Life isn't fair when you are FIVE!" I couldn't help but laugh with joy. So smart! So honest! As we grow up we forget to tell people how "unfair" certain situations are- even if that is exactly what we are experiencing. Logan has inspired me to shout that from the top of my lungs then next time I am presented with an unfair request or situation. His dad, Mike, responded, "Well buddy, hate to break it to you... but it's not going to get any better..." Even MORE true! Logan's brow ruffled a bit in confusion and dismay, but went to sleep regardless. I suppose, one day, he will understand his Dad's response. Although, I can't help but wish more than anything, for the power to protect him from the very moments that will teach him that.
Griffin, age 3, folded a little blanket in front of me as we were playing a game I like to call "let's make cleaning the house a game so that everyone will do their part and I am not the only one stuck doing it," game. (Very fun, and effective, a definite try-at-home!) Griffin said, "Kami, when I was this old (holding up 2 fingers), I didn't know how to fold, but now that I'm this old (holding up three fingers), I do, because I watched Mommy's hands while she did it." Ah. Heart. Melts. What a perfect way to explain our human development. Next time someone asks me (at a job interview, hopefully, to fully maximize on the awkwardness) how much I grew as a person from the beginning of graduate school, to the point where I am at that moment... Ill use my hands (and toes), (and maybe someone else's hands too), to say: "when I was this old (holds up really big number of digits), I didn't know what I wanted out of life. But now that I am this old (repeat the holding of the digits, plus some more), I do."
Hayden is the oldest, and was the most interesting for me to watch this year. As a seven year old, he has changed to a "real" school, where he has real responsibilities, and is learning... essentially how to grow up. I found his perception the most interesting, as he struggles to reconcile the NEEDS of his little brother Griffin and little sister Sydney, with his WANT of more time and attention from his Mommy and Daddy. His physicality's make it possible for him to make his own lunch, feed himself, dress himself, straighten his room, etc- but he is the only one essentially of all his siblings at that point in development. I think he is struggling with the connection of affection that the younger ones are receiving, because they are unable to complete those tasks on their own. I think the next 6 months to a year will be very vital to him. In so many ways it seems like his body is growing faster than his brain- but he is so smart and loving, and I have so much faith that he will use both of those gifts to figure it all out. (For the nerds of the world... I refer you to Plato's Republic.... where he combats the idea of personal desires and their eternal fight against laws. Hayden's desire for more attention, is being counteracted with "laws" or rules of the Fox household.... because that action and reaction is what will make him a better person. Just as, a citizen in a republic. A citizen who desires to steal all the left-footed socks of the nation (weird example, i know), is presented with an action and reaction by the government and set laws, because that will make the citizen and nation a better place. See! Politics IS everywhere!).
The last child, but certainly not the least, is beautiful baby Sydney Kathleen. Her Daddy certainly will have his hands filled one day, as she will be a heartbreaker, without question. Syd turned one yesterday, and is so close to walking her way around the house. At this age, my cousin teaches them the sign language version of "please," (for those of you who don't know, requires one to bring their right hand and touch/tap your chest). This enables the child to communicate before they are able to make words as well as institutionalizing manners at an early age. When Kathleen and Mike went to a wedding, which left me alone with the "crew" for a few hours of fun. When I put Syd into her high chair for her favorite time of day, which ironically, is the same as her Aunt Kami's.... FOOD TIME. As she proceeded to throw ample amounts of food on the floor for me to pick up, I found myself frustrated. So I pulled the chair in front of her and kindly said, "No, Sydney" "No." She kept her eyes locked to mine, as she took the time to check me out. She read my face, (which, thankfully, remained firm aside from the overwhelmingly strong urge to kiss her and giggle), my body language, and eyes sincerely... trying to figure out if I was being serious. She eventually took the piece she was about to throw, and place it back on her tray. SUCCESS! This moment, without words (on her part), is such an interesting study in the human capacity. So often, we underestimate members of our society to understand regulations...children, the elderly, the poor, the disenfranchised, etc... when maybe, only maybe, if our government would hold on to consistency as it's lifeblood and measure of success... everyone would learn...and words wouldn't even be necessary.
The point of this ramble, besides for me to brag on the best family a girl can have, is to indicate the vitality of the nuclear traditional American family. My generation is constantly being cascaded with the demise of marriage and increase of divorce, less children due to issues with marriage, etc. The sheer presence of these things has had a domino affect due to fear, which can only exacerbate a bad situation by making it much worse. More than anything, time with this special little family brings me hope, as I hope it will for everyone else. A healthy marriage that both participants take the time to invest in and build daily, (on the fridge is a quote on an index card that says, "Good marriages don't just happen, they are B-U-I-L-T.") children who listen and revere their parents, and an honesty all around a house that protects it from the treacherous people of this world. It is a beautiful thing that I hope our country will continue building on, as the family is the beginning of an Americans life... and often predicts not only their personal success or failure... but their impact on society as a whole, as well. Make wise decisions, my friends, and my hope for you is that you can claim a happy home like the one I have discussed here. Happy homes=happy country. Direct positive correlation!
Your personal solider in the fight for lost causes,
Kami
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