Healthcare and Propaganda-Off the Cuff

Health-care. I have seen a lot of propaganda opposing any sort of state sponsored healthcare plan. I've heard it called socialism. I've heard it's going to negate any private health insurance. I've heard the government is going to make abortions mandatory. (Okay, I didn't hear that last one...) Guess what I'm saying is there's a lot of talk against this.

This is what I wonder about these ads, found on tv, radio and in print... Who funds these ads? We must always ask ourselves what filter is being used to parlay information. Propaganda can be powerful. I've seen it used in the healthcare debate, as well as the debate over the Employee Free Choice Act. I worry that EFCA may even die because of the massive ad campaign vilifying it, calling it "card check" and painting images of big mean union members threatening workers. Many times these ads scream lies and use scare tactics. People do this knowing that they can lie. If they are caught they will apologize quietly or dismiss some scapegoat and then start all over again. Volume is everything. The right is screaming, ranting and shooting. The silence of the left on these issues is deafening. Their silence is also debilitating. It's causing those who don't stay informed to go with the loudest voice. I personally worry that it's preventing and negating any progress on any issue.

Something to remember about propaganda is that it's only as valid as you make it. The Nazi's made it a matter of policy. Their minister of propaganda said something to the effect that one did not need truth or facts when one had good propaganda. Did the Nazi's make us wise to the frightening zombi mentality good propaganda can cultivate? Perhaps, or perhaps they merely taught some of our prominent officials and community leaders how to harness hysteria, i.e. the Iraq war.

Whatever one's opinion on this issue I just ask that any decision and any opinion be an informed one. I know that all I have to do is look at my own life experiences. I have insurance through my employer. I have to call a minimum of three people before I can see my doctor. When I finally get there I have to make sure we only discuss the issues I mentioned in my three minute phone call to the receptionist before I made the appointment. Discuss anything else and it may not be covered. I then have to pay what I think is my co-pay, but because it is constantly changing, I often get a bill for a couple more bucks. At least once a month I will get a letter from my insurance company asking me for all sorts of personal information... all meant to be used against me and my claims... all meant to save them money and leave me in the lurch.

I'm not saying that I'm not thankful for my health insurance. I meet people almost everyday who are one health catastrophe away from being "out of the game", so to speak. I simply want to argue against the many commercials and rants that claim so many Americans are thrilled with their current coverage and so many Americans will be forced to go with a different system. The people putting these ideas out there may be surprised to learn that many of us living and working in the real world are already in the position of constantly having to change our doctor because of our health insurance coverage. Many of us are already assaulted time and again with hidden fees and holes in our coverage. Many of us are already being left behind; no choices, no say, no information.