![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
marlenankehttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20000867-503544.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/22/your-money/health-insurance/22consumer.html?hp
IDEK. I somehow feel I should be commenting in some way on this simply because this is an issue, it is of current (well, as current as it can get, considering) interest, and my roommate is half American and has US citizenship and basically grew up there. Hence, I feel that I should be responding in some way.
US politics have never failed to amaze me, and mostly in a negative sort of way. I try to have my response to what goes on over the Atlantic in a coherent, thoughtful manner, but, more often than not, I end up with meh. That's just how it is. It's not a country I care for, but they've maintained a certain hegemony over international politics until now and they have yet to hand it over. Therefore, I have to care (I guess).
That being said, I somehow think this issue needs to be resolved now. I feel like we're all ready to move on to the next thing. Really, we are. There's going to be more debate, apparently, right after Obama signs the bill, which is going to take place on Tuesday. The Republicans aren't happy and want to go froth with modifications and amendments and all that. They've hinted at this already, or more than hinted. Then again, the Senate moves... not quickly, let's say, so there's more stuttering on that side.
Overall, why is this still going on? Obviously it's taking way too long, but it is an important topic and it needed to be done. Honestly, how can I take American politics seriously when things like this take a year to be resolved because of various interests that all parties have in the matter? There's no Good Guy here that I can see. I'm jaded towards all the parts in the debate because I feel that the society they live in is inherently too self-righteous to see that it's taking itself too seriously and is putting some interests ahead of others when maybe it shouldn't.
Again, I have to wonder if this is the end of it. Apparently, it's nearing completion, but, then again, we are talking about the Senate here. I have to frown and shake my head, and maybe hope for the best. I don't see the provisions that will be enacted as solving as much as many other people would want them to. I think that again has to do with interests, self-affected douchebags who cannot get over themselves thinking they can decide what is best for the majority without considering alternatives and long-term effects. I feel like the struggle between different parties is more important than the actual outcome, and, actually, if you think about, that might just be the case.
I might be alone (or maybe not) in this, but I still don't get why there is such reticence to take the welfare system and apply it to the US, European style. I can see the cultural and interest impediments, but that's like listening to children grumble about how they would rather eat ice cream than have their veggies. It's childish and not based on actual reasoning from what I can see. Also, I don't find that it would constitute a bigger risk than what is already going on because, as far as the provisions that have been put forward are concerned, it's still not a solution for everyone. Basically, many people are still screwed and it's not their fault.
I always thought of the real issue in all of this, throughout all of the debate, was related a lot to those who are uninsured and unable to be insured. Has the new propositions solved this? I think not. Maybe I need to read it over one more time and maybe get someone who gets it more than me to translate it in terms of what it means to the average citizen, but I doubt that's the real issue here. IDEK.
It might just be my European-ness, but I think there's going to be a big blow-up with this proposition and course of events as well. It's inevitable at this point. I don't want to be negative—I really don't—but how can I not be?
Uh. Yeah. I need a breather now.
Comments? Complaints? Corrections? Feedback is appreciated!
