At this point I don’t know which is worse, the fact that we are the richest county in the world and can not seem to be sure that all of our people have reasonable health care. (I’m not saying everyone should have elective surgery tossed out like beads during Mardi Gras!)
Or, the horrible behaviors on display at the various Town Hall Meetings. I have heard so many people say that they were scared to speak up. So many people were intimidated by the grossly aggressive behavior that ‘SOME’ people were displaying.
THAT is ‘UN-AMERICAN’. All people should have the right to speak up. Nobody should have the right to use fear and intimidation to silence the voices of anyone else. People disagree….so….that is a phenomenon that has been going on forever! It is part of human nature. But, lets have the dignity and grace to allow ALL people to have the right to speak up.
For anyone who has been to a Town Hall Meeting and all of those who have an opinion on health care reform, OR ANY OTHER TOPIC, go to USA.gov and use the links there to find the mailing and email addresses of elected officials. If you are not comfortable speaking up publicly, then simply take the time to write your opinion down and send it in. Or, give these elected officials a call and express your opinion. Then, really take it home when it comes time to vote. There will be no one in that booth to yell at your or threaten you.
I am not telling you what to say. I personally believe a public health option is the ONLY way we will ever see that every person in this country will receive quality healthcare. You do not have to agree with me. If you are taking the time to read this, then you are fully competent to look at the facts and form your own opinion. You can also ask questions of those officials so that you have more information before sending them your wishes. Remember THEY WORK FOR YOU! They do not work for special interest groups.
In fact, let me add another scenario to the things you might want your elected officials to know about. If you are having problems at the local government level and do not feel that your attempts to get the problem corrected locally are being addressed correctly, take the time to contact State officials and let them know what is going on. There are many instances in the various manuals and codes that give local governments their powers where you are specifically advised to contact an agency at a higher level. If you are in doubt as to who to contact for an issue, write elected officials at higher levels and ask them who/what department you should contact for help. Or, simply ask those officials for help.
Silence is a greater threat to our Country than any terrorist group. Silence is deadly. Use your voice (even if it is expressed in written form) and be an active part of good government. (Virginia House of Delegates email addresses can be found here. Or at the Leage of Women Voters site you can use the Virginia General Assembly Legislative Directory.
Most of all, lets stop the lying and distortion. Fear and ignorance have long been used to control people. We need good government, not good controllers! (Yes, I’m ranting. It is my right to rant. I have already ranted to elected official but by golly, I think I have just inspired myself to do it again!
