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Fear in the Heartland
The health care “debate” has been transformed into a confusing screaming match fueled by wild nativist fears. As Senator Chuck Grassley has found out at town meetings in Iowa, health care really is not the issue that’s on the minds of many. Instead, it’s all about the nation’s economic turmoil: People are hurting, and don’t see the stimulus plan helping them. From there, its a short leap to attacking the Federal Reserve, and what many perceive as a threatening, directionless federal government that is bent on controlling their daily lives. And Grassley appears to be ready to capitalize on the anger:
Not everyone is coming to the town hall meetings because of health care. It’s kind of the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Grassley said. “They’re seeing the stimulus not working. They’re seeing the Federal Reserve shoving money out of the airplane not working. They’re seeing big increases in the deficit coming. Then they see a trillion-dollar health-care bill, and they think it’s not good for the country.”
These fears remind me of the fears that ran through the Midwest more than 20 years ago, during the 1984 presidential election. Back then Walter Mondale was vainly fighting Ronald Reagan, against a backdrop of farm foreclosures,bank crackdowns, penny auctions, and fight back by rural people in the heartland. Then as now, people showed up in angry knots–not unlike today’s town meetings–at foreclosure s to shout down the auctioneers, trying to save a farm. The gun of choice at that time was the semi-automatic mini 14, which was held by some in the same esteem as the Colt 45 did back in the day. Some turned to the Bible, watched the skies for Soviet bombers, dug themselves into bunkers.
If you can’t remember those days, rent Country starring Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard and written in part by Shepard, who knows this world well. It was shot in Iowa in 1984, and showed a couple struggling to save their family farm, against greedy banks and government policies that paved the way for a takeover by large agribusinesses. At that time Reagan said the film “was a blatant propaganda message against our agri programs.” The film’s tag line was “In this country, when the land is your life…you fight for your life.”
Progressives then waited anxiously for the movie’s release, hoping it could channel the nativist far right politics into a constructive force. Things didn’t quite work out that way: Folks in the heartland stuck, literally, to their guns. They aren’t likely to work out any better now.
A version of this post was cross-posted on Unsilent Generation.
"...and what many perceive
"...and what many perceive as a threatening, directionless federal government that is bent on controlling their daily lives."
Am I to understand that you think the above statement is false?
This confuses me, because after years of reading left/lib/progressosphere sourcees, I could swear that these writers kind of like the government. Hardly a day goes by without the LLP suggesting a new and improved governmental solution to the many and varied evils that beset us. And since the LLP has bestowed on itself something akin to the Catholic doctrine of Papal Infallability, how could they be wrong?
Government Health Care
tagged as:- result
Being a recipient of a form of government provided single payer health care, I recommend it to all. As long as you don't care about certain prescription drugs not being on the list, a 6 to 8 month wait for an appointment, lost appointment records, being attended too by federal bureaucrats, and sub-par facilities. Oh, and did I mention the Veterans Administration (government) medical system is actuarial table based? As in delay to avoid spending $$ and the recipient will solve the budget problem by paying for private care, or just conveniently die while waiting.
Jack Karle
""Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: Jesus Christ and the American G.I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.""---Tony Blair, British Prime Minister.
""Vietnam? Don't know.....we were winning when I lef
I have had both Six years
I have had both Six years ago my premiums were $125/wk with a $1000 deductible for my son and I. He was in elementary school at the time. I paid 50% of office visits, prescriptions and lab work. Needless to say we seldom went to the Doctor until one of us was really really sick. Now since I am in school and have no income I have government insurance. I have not had to wait for anything I need. Preventive care is free and so are lab work. I have had to see three different specialists and got in with no problem. Yes they do not cover the high priced meds you see on TV. They do cover alternative generics that work just as well but cost a lot less. Hint you lose all credibility when you bring in a fictional religulus (spelling intended) figure into a discussion that has nothing to do with religion. Next time you go to the VA get some counseling to address those anger and resentment issues. You will feel a lot better.
How about a MEDICARE PLAN FOR EVERYONE?
DOES A SINGLE-PAYER HEALTHCARE PLAN MERIT
YOUR CONSIDERATION?
Would a single-payer Healthcare Plan similar to Medicare make sense for every one in the US? Remember MEDICARE is the best liked, most efficient, and least costly health plan we have.
Ms. Olive Johnson of Vancouver, Canada recently sent a letter to the Chicago Tribune entitled, “Gov’t-funded care”.
“I am writing from Canada because of my interest in the current debate about healthcare in the US. I think Americans would want to know how other countries handle healthcare coverage.
These are the facts about health care coverage in Canada.
1) Gov’t-funded health care is available to everyone. People are free to choose the doctor they want.
2) Individuals pay a modest amount for government-funded health-care(approximately $50 per month), which covers all of their doctor visits, hospital procedures(including surgeries) and laboratory tests.
3) Drugs for those over 65 are paid for, in part or in full, by the Gov’t. The amount paid is dependent on one’s income.
4) People younger than 65 may have their drugs paid for by their employers. Otherwise they can pay into a private insurance scheme to cover the cost of their drugs.
5) Contrary to rumors about long waiting lists in Canada most people are able to see a doctor without delay. The exception to this in rural areas where there are too few doctors. Medical specialists may also have waiting lists.
I can assure you that in Canada gov’t-funded health care is very popular. ALMOSTS ALL OF THOSE WHO DENIGRATE OUR PUBLIC HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO STAND TO PROFIT FROM ITS DEMISE. I URGE AMERICANS NOT TO BE FOOLED INTO ACCEPTING PRIVATE, FOR PROFIT HEALTH CARE, WHICH IS BOTH MORE EXPENSIVE AND LESS EFFICIENT THAN GOV’T-FUNDED CARE.
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