Real Reform
Let's just start with this - we're not going to get health care reform. We're not getting the public option, we're not getting mandated plans subsidized with a surtax on the top 1%, we're not getting Intelligent Parking Assist or the Solar Charging A/C. It is not going to happen, even though what people claim they want sounds an awful lot like what they're not going to get.
Why is this? Sure, the Republican party (and half of the Democrats) are owned by insurance and drug companies. But if people cared enough to complain (or perhaps set a few places on fire), those pricks would be nothing more than a noisy speed bump. No, the reason we won't have health care reform is because it costs a lot. There's no getting around this. It's expensive, as worthwhile things occasionally will be, and the cost scares people.
If the US could transition completely to socialized medicine for $29.99 (This Sunday Only!), we'd have it tomorrow. Sean Hannity would be trampled to death by his own adoring fans on their way to visit a doctor for the first time in 10 years. Sadly, it does not cost $29.99.
However, since we're feeling so parsimonious all of a sudden, why don't we take a look at some of the things that Americans DID feel were worth spending their money on? Not the government, mind you. The American people.
- According to a recent radio advertisement, Barry Manilow has sold over 75 million records. 75 million. Let's assume that most of those records were sold in the 1970's. And let's assume they cost between 6 and 10 bucks apiece - we'll split the difference at $8.00. That is 600 million dollars spent to hear Barry Manilow sing. On purpose.
I know, you're busy retching right now. But wait - let's adjust that for inflation, assuming 1978 as the height of Manilow. It comes to 1.88 Billion Dollars. And that doesn't even include what he sold in concert tickets.
- Last year, America supported a $15 Billion Bottled Water industry. $15 Billion worth of a product which, despite the best efforts of the Bush-era EPA, flows from your tap with equal or better quality. And that's just the cost of the water. If you include the cost of the petroleum based bottles - creating, recycling, and disposing - well...let's just say that the overhead costs of our new health system are chump change by comparison.
- In 2007, Americans spent $12 Billion on Specialty Coffee. OK, no judgment. Can we all just agree that's WAY too much?
- $1 Billion on MMOs. Those are Massive Multiplayer Online games. World of Warcraft, basically. This country is spending a billion dollars every year to detach from the real world completely and fake walk around a fake world dressed like real idiots. And, back in the Massive Multiplayer game that is actual life, these people aren't getting any thinner.
- The 2008 elections cost the USA $5.3 Billion. To end up with...this. Frankly, I feel rooked.
This is not to say that nobody should buy Starbucks or bottled water or Barry Manilow records. (Well...) It is to say that our priorities suck.
Call your senator. Or burn something.
Why is this? Sure, the Republican party (and half of the Democrats) are owned by insurance and drug companies. But if people cared enough to complain (or perhaps set a few places on fire), those pricks would be nothing more than a noisy speed bump. No, the reason we won't have health care reform is because it costs a lot. There's no getting around this. It's expensive, as worthwhile things occasionally will be, and the cost scares people.
If the US could transition completely to socialized medicine for $29.99 (This Sunday Only!), we'd have it tomorrow. Sean Hannity would be trampled to death by his own adoring fans on their way to visit a doctor for the first time in 10 years. Sadly, it does not cost $29.99.
However, since we're feeling so parsimonious all of a sudden, why don't we take a look at some of the things that Americans DID feel were worth spending their money on? Not the government, mind you. The American people.
- According to a recent radio advertisement, Barry Manilow has sold over 75 million records. 75 million. Let's assume that most of those records were sold in the 1970's. And let's assume they cost between 6 and 10 bucks apiece - we'll split the difference at $8.00. That is 600 million dollars spent to hear Barry Manilow sing. On purpose.
I know, you're busy retching right now. But wait - let's adjust that for inflation, assuming 1978 as the height of Manilow. It comes to 1.88 Billion Dollars. And that doesn't even include what he sold in concert tickets.
- Last year, America supported a $15 Billion Bottled Water industry. $15 Billion worth of a product which, despite the best efforts of the Bush-era EPA, flows from your tap with equal or better quality. And that's just the cost of the water. If you include the cost of the petroleum based bottles - creating, recycling, and disposing - well...let's just say that the overhead costs of our new health system are chump change by comparison.
- In 2007, Americans spent $12 Billion on Specialty Coffee. OK, no judgment. Can we all just agree that's WAY too much?
- $1 Billion on MMOs. Those are Massive Multiplayer Online games. World of Warcraft, basically. This country is spending a billion dollars every year to detach from the real world completely and fake walk around a fake world dressed like real idiots. And, back in the Massive Multiplayer game that is actual life, these people aren't getting any thinner.
- The 2008 elections cost the USA $5.3 Billion. To end up with...this. Frankly, I feel rooked.
This is not to say that nobody should buy Starbucks or bottled water or Barry Manilow records. (Well...) It is to say that our priorities suck.
Call your senator. Or burn something.
posted by Matthew at 10:16 AM
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