First of all - I'm not going to get caught up in the political ideology of either party or any party. I am simply stating that I think Health Reform is 100% necessary but I believe this legislation will only make the problem worse and not better. I want the problem fixed - and fixed right the first time - not a plan that has to be 'tweaked" because it's the best we could get through at the moment. Frankly I don't care who succeeds at accomplishing this - just get the job done and let the credit fall where it may.
I will however say this much regarding any political ideology - I know great people in both parties. Some of them are very powerful leaders and others are the people who do what I would call the "real" work in DC - each of these people that I know want what they believe to be is "best" for this great Country of ours - they just often disagree on what path will lead us to that "best" outcome.
While I may not like the current law and plan to fix the healthcare problem I will give the current party credit for facing the problem. Some may see it as a power-grab, and yes to be honest I can see where that thought process comes from - esp. from the attitudes of many involved. However, in all the years that both parties have been around and that the individual states have known that this was a problem - there was never any "real" attempt to attack the problem. At least now American's are focused on it.
This problem is too big and too serious for ego's to get in the way - people are dying. Something has to be done and should have been done many, many years ago. Why does it take the feeling of being "threatened" by whatever is happening to get those who feel victimized now to face the problem and begin to think of solutions? Why do so many of us (myself included) not see the issue and attack it when we are aware of it as opposed to waiting around for somebody else to do something we don't like before we actually get involved?
With the low voter turn out we have in this country - ESPECIALLY at the local level - how can any American Citizen sit back and say "what is going on?" - what is going on is what the citizens who have chosen to not be politically active in their communities have let "go on" ... there is no real person to be blame with anything we are unhappy with other than ourselves.
If there is going to be any name-calling and blaming and fear thrown around I myself am going to start by attacking the vision I see in when I look in my mirror - I never took a public stand on the health care crisis before - why? Because I wasn't aware of the problem - no, I knew of it. Because I was just too busy? - if I think my freedoms are threatened how can I be "too busy" ..... no - I was just lazy or worried about being embarrassed for expressing my opinion.
No longer - I will no longer sit back and watch my community, my state, my country - become something - anything - I am not proud of. I will be involved and I will support any candidate and any legislation - regardless of who puts it out there that I TRULY feel is in line with my priorities, my morals and my principals. But I will not resort to violence, to name calling, to forcing my opinions down somebody else's throat.
I am an American and I am better that - I will stand up for what I believe in. I do not consider myself a member of any party - I am a Constitutionalist - and the moment I feel that document is truly threatened - whether it be by issues such as the Patriot Act or any branch of Government overstepping it's boundaries - I will stand up and say NO. But that is all I have to do - with my vote, with peaceful protest and with integrity.
Will protests include actions as you suggest and not pay taxes I disagree with? Perhaps - but that would be almost my last resort and one I'm not quite ready to go to yet and as you say something like that would require a HUGE movement and participation - I'm not sure the citizenry is ready for that yet - they are too often still too "uninvolved" to consider a truly active movement of that sort. I hate the current tax structure as it is - have for most of my adult life, but I've never truly considered not paying them at this point - there are other means we can follow to attempt to achieve the same results.
We are a civilized society and uncivilized behavior will not be tolerated until it is that civilized society is truly threatened. I have yet to see any government agents come to my home or my community, armed ready to overthrow anything - so at this point my voice will be heard in emails to my representatives, peaceful protests and at the ballot box.
Fear not - should I truly feel threatened I am prepared to do whatever it takes to protect my life, my property, my family and my rights - but "political" issues at this point are just that - political. And unfortunately politics are often played "dirty" ... let's not have the citizens resort to the dirty behavior of many politicians or talking heads.
Remember - we are their bosses and we should lead by example.
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