It has been a little surreal watching the conservative reaction to Obamacare problems over the past few weeks. I have never before seen conservatives get this upset over people not having insurance coverage. The hand wringing as they read the letters from their constituents who have lost their insurance plans…the fiery anger as they ask, what will those poor families do now?? As I watch them cry their crocodile tears, I feel the urge to ask a couple questions–
Where were you guys when many of us were suffering under the existing health care system? Where were you when people were being refused insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions, or kicked off their insurance plan because it was discovered that they had a doctor’s visit somewhere in their past? I don’t remember your sadness then–in fact, it seemed that you didn’t care at all. Okay, I get it. The website isn’t working and that’s embarrassing. And it is frustrating for people to lose an insurance plan they happened to like, even if it wasn’t a very good quality plan. But at least there is a website, and the people who lose their coverage can go to shop on the exchange. Before, if you were rejected by an insurance company for whatever reason, you were likely to be rejected by other insurance companies as well, and there was nowhere else for you to go. Did you have anything to say about that?
We know, we know, you’re against Obamacare. So what is your solution, your alternative? And please don’t say it’s to leave the health care system as it is now–that’s not an acceptable answer. If you have a much better idea for fixing health care, what is it, and why didn’t you present it earlier, back when the system badly needed reforming? You’re whining about it now, but it is too little, too late.
Where have you been?
eurobrat 
11/06/2013 at 4:03 am
That’s a great question when you ask, “Where have you been?” But indeed if you were to get an answer, would it support your cause?
Of course, taking stances on two sides of an issue can lead to a healthy debate and provide inclusive possibilities. The question I suppose one needs to ask is, ‘ What could we do to align points of view to the overarching vision of Affordable and Quality healthcare for all’?
Shakti
11/06/2013 at 6:47 pm
I will readily admit that if the conservative side did provide me with their answer, it would likely be one I would disagree with. But I still prefer getting a response to my “what is your solution?” question to getting no response at all.
And yes, I would love it if people on both sides were more willing to have a conversation about possible solutions, and about aligning different points of view with each other. Is that likely to happen right now, with our political climate? Probably not…
11/06/2013 at 5:11 am
I found the conservative reaction to the website problems — outrage, calls for the head of Kathleen Sebelius — rather odd. You’d think they would be ecstatic the site wasn’t working — or at least be smug about it. Instead they’re going nuts that it’s not working. And like you said, other than the vaguest generalities, they present no alternative to Obamacare.
11/06/2013 at 6:50 pm
ojmo–good point. This is a lot like the OUTRAGE! over national monuments being closed when it was the Republicans who wanted the government to shut down. And now you have the congresscritters at the hearings complaining “My constituents want to sign up on your website!”–wait, I thought you didn’t want them to be able to sign up? I’m very very confused….
11/07/2013 at 7:11 pm
I guess the best that can be said is that the Republicans are consistent in their inconsistency…
11/10/2013 at 11:02 am
That’s because for the most part the synonym for Conservatives is hypocrisy. They don’t wish to provide healthcare for anyone but themselves (they all have Cadillac insurance coverage, just like they all eat extremely well but are cutting food stamps for the poor). I’d have more respect for them if they came out and proclaimed the platform of “I don’t give a sh*t for anyone who is not like us–so there!” That way we could all ignore them and let them bite the dust of obscurity. It’s the fact that so many people are taken in by their lies that cause such pain and disruption.
11/12/2013 at 7:34 am
Funny, some of my friends have told me this is why they prefer Republicans. “At least they’re honest about not giving a s**t about anybody else.”
But yes, talk radio lately has been full of wealthy men wondering why the existing health care system needed any changes. “I mean, I can afford any medical procedure any time I want…what’s the problem?” Talk about major disconnect.
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