Where Are The Politicians Willing To Shoot The Moon For Good?

[chuck freeman]

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

This haunting Jewish proverb rings with thunderous truth today in so many countries and arenas. It is tragically, literally illustrated in our struggle for American universal health care.

Help me understand this. Why are political warmongers & dictators the only ones willing to shoot the moon for their cause these days?

Since Korea every “conflict” for which we have sacrificed precious lives has been based on shoot the moon fear and exaggeration. The Iraq war was sold on flagrant and intentional lies - weapons of mass destruction, mushroom clouds, Saddam was involved in 9-11, he gassed his own people, fight ‘em over there instead of over here.

The purpose of these falsehoods benefited no one but a powerful few, and caused the death and suffering of multi millions.

When these rhetorical frames fired off with the constancy of a Gatling gun people of good will were left with an “anti” argument within that frame. With no let up in the warmongers commitment to wrongdoing, the war was a done deal. It just needed a little faux ass covering to ripen.

Universal health care will aid multi millions to realize “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Yet, it was taken off the table from the get go. Miserable, ambiguous “principles” were inserted in its stead. Compromising with drug and insurance companies ensued. Hard-edged Talk radio and town hall screaming filled the soft sell.

Now, once again people of goodwill are left to scrabble the scorched landscape for the dregs of a just result.

Are the so-called progressive politicians bribed and compromised out of the blocks? Were they ever commited to universal health care? Are they hopeless cowards? Are they naïve, hapless strategic chumps? Do they lack principled conviction?

Where are the politicians willing to shoot the moon for good?

These days I feel the anguish of Rev. King. “Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.”

[chuck freeman]

Gerard,
Thanks for your perspective. Seems like we have been waiting for 100 years, while all other western style democracies have mad this advance long ago. I think leaders can take bold stands without employing evil means. For me the question comes down to moral courage.

Soulfully,

Chuck

[Gerard Plourde]

I was thinking about the difference contained in your question. Evil relies on fear and seeks to extend itself quickly and broadly as seen in your examples. Perhaps good only grows slowly and pervasively, setting down deep roots so that it can withstand attack. The length of time required can be frustrating. It can tempt us to take short cuts that may employ evil means that then undercut the overall good goal that we seek. As a follower of Jesus I recognize how long it takes to bring his redemption of the world to fruition. As a human being I feel the frustration of the often slow pace. But the redemption is happening. The struggle for universal health care is another small step in this process of caring for our neighbor and manifesting God's kingdom here in His creation.

[chuck freeman]

I saw the Moore movie. The best part is a clip of FDR outlining a new citizens bill of rights. Cornell West quipped this week, "Obama turned out to be the black Clinton instead of the black FDR." We may have to elect someone else if we want our generations FDR.

Soulfully,

Chuck

[chazdee]

Dear Friends,
This is what grief looks like. This is the end of idealism in our lifetimes. This was our last chance to experience something like oneness through our political system. UNIVERSAL health care. The operative word was universal. It would have been the great equalizer. Every life as important as every other life, without reference to money, power or influence. But it is too late. Money, power and influence have a death grip on our Democracy. Elections are no longer the answer. I'm going out to see Michael Moore's new movie and look for clues of what to do next.

[chuck freeman]

Excellent point Ken. A bunch of my health issues have derived from drug and surgery happy Dr's. back when I was abjectly ignorant. Now I only go to traditional docs.

Soulfully,

Chuck

[Ken O'Neill]

chuck: it's all bullshit. health reform is lipservice but not even a real blowjob. ain't nobody who's gonna cum with it- speaking metaphorically. our major hidden epidemic is the way we live, the way we eat and shop, and the way we rely on doctors as high priests of greater truths spelled out as prescription drugs said to cure all that ails us. forget side-effects, a decharging expression for known pathological outcomes - if it don't kill you, maybe you'll get better. JAMA July 26, 1999 = 3rd cause of death in usa is doctor intervention, 80% of which is pharmaceutically induced death. Health care reform will give more people access to mdeicine likely to kill them. but who cares? Vioxx killed off an estimated 600.000 world wide.

[chuck freeman]

I'm with you sister!! I really don't think Obama is committed to universal health care. It appears he will be satisfied with half measures that benefit the insurance companies and drug companies more than the people who were energized to elect him. Soaring rhetoric does not equal change. Good to hear from you Vicky!

[Vicky Dill]

The dynamic of this that frustrates me so entirely is that the American people handed our new president a mandate and a majority. Why do some Democrats defect on this one? Anyone with even the slightest helicopter view can see that we need to slam dunk this one; to hell with consensus. Get it done for the people. I'm at the point where I think our president needs to employ, with all possible integrity, whatever the legislative tactics that are necessary to get the general good to prevail.