I See An America

Link: http://billboardmama.com

I webbed the news today, oh boy. It seems the Kennedy dynasty has run its course. The four brothers, all dead in service of their country. The golden sun, also dead at the wheel of his private plane. The shining daughter, who recently disclosed political ambition but withdrew before running is left to carry the torch, or at least hold it aloft until a generation can be skipped and a new prince emerges.

The Kennedy's three, John, Robert and Ted has charisma and social conscience and wished to make America a better place for all who lived here. JFK's brief presidency was defined by standing up to the Soviet Union while not going to war, fighting organized crime and obtaining civil rights reform. Civil rights was passed in honor of his sacrifice.

Robert stood for stopping the war in Vietnam and treating our country's poor with more equality. He too was assassinated. The war in Vietnam ended, but not in his honor and the plight of the poor remains poor.

Teddy was up next...never as charismatic as his older brothers, Teddy ran himself off the road and off the discussion for president one night in Chappaquiddick and settled for becoming the most productive senator over the next forty years. For over the last two decades, Ted Kennedy championed a national health plan to cover everyone. For two decades, the lobbyist won. Will Ted's death be honored with passage of the National Health Reform? Stay tuned....

So far the political battle of health care has been one of the ugliest political brouhahas I've ever seen. The lies and distortions and hate that have been unleashed by the far right and United Health are blatant. As was the position of the Republican party on this issue. Put into plain speak the Republican partly line is "Fuck the health plan, let's roll out our hate mongering political bag of tricks because we can bring Obama down on this issue if we spin it right."

So far, fixed news, the christian right, and some inane senators have done a powerful job of delusional sound bites that have been repeated often enough that America seems to have lost its mind, or at least its common sense and swallowed them whole. From death panels, to no options, to limited service, to immigrants being covered for free, the far rights is pushing buttons with a fury. The lobbyist whose pocket these grand ol' elephants are riding in is throwing money like confetti.

If the National Plan included an option to open up Kaiser Permanente Clinics around the country, the problem would be solved immediately. For those of you who haven't heard about there medical insurance go to kp.org (note, they may not have a clinic there but pick anyone to see plan details). I've been using Kaiser since the early 1960's and have yet to come across a medical program that makes more sense, offers so much, for such a low premium. Those foolish enough to believe the urban myths about Kaiser are losing out...Kaiser doctors are among the best I've ever seen. They are truly focused on making you well.