If the Universe is trying to teach me compassion, it is doing a good job. However, the lessons can stop now because I think I am already pretty compassionate. Over the weekend, I got hit hard with food poisoning. We've all faced this at one time or another and it is a very uncomfortable experience, especially when I am dealing with other issues. And I find it interesting that while I am dealing with my physical challenges, our country is dealing with the issue of health care.
As I am sure is true for you, it is incomprehensible to me that a plan was submitted that would mean millions of people would lose their health insurance. I think we all wonder who these people are who put the plan forward. Don't they have hearts? Are they so cut off from their feelings that they can't see how harmful their plan is? Do they even care? In addition to fixing the entire health care system in our country, even more important right now is to help these people learn how to feel again. They will never come up with something compassionate as long as they are cut off from their feelings.
I saw one video where a mother showed her representative a picture of her adult daughter who has cancer and who is still working so she can pay her bills. The representative physically recoiled when she saw the picture. The mother said, "Please don't vote for this bill. If you do, my daughter will be thrown off her insurance and she will die."
More and more scenes like this are playing out and I think this is what it will take to wake up enough of the politicians so they can see they are touching the lives of everyday people, good people, people who deserve better than what they are proposing. If you have a story to tell, be sure you tell it to your elected officials. The more they have to face the reality of being a "regular" person, the sooner they might open their minds and their hearts.
And I think it is important for them to realize that they or their families could be affected negatively in one second. Suddenly they could lose everything. Just like my eating a dried apricot threw me into several days of being ill with no prior warning, something could happen to them or their loved ones that could suddenly change their lives significantly. They would be wise to consider this in their decision-making!
Very well said, Krysta. As a very grateful recipient of Medicaid (thank you, Obama!), I am now scared of losing my health insurance because of the current administration. I am disgusted with the Republicans who want to give more tax cuts to the wealthy and meanwhile deny millions of us our life-saving Medicaid (and yes, it has saved my life more than once). Krysta, you are so right that the health of any one of us can be decimated in a second. People who would deny others what should be the RIGHT to health care need to get a clue...and get connected to their hearts.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, all of this is going to wake more people up, open hearts and minds, and eventually turn us into the compassionate country we are meant to be. I am glad Medicaid is there for those who need it and applaud the lawmakers who are doing their best to be sure it stays there!
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