Healthcare Reform: Put Down Your Pitchforks

Not too long ago I was driving home from work, enjoying a perfectly beautiful summer day, when I pulled up to a red light. I glanced to the right and noticed a man approaching my open window with a pamphlet.

“Would you like to help stop Obama from destroying America?” he said to me.

Respectfully, I told him I supported our president and was not interested.

“Do you support Hitler and the Nazis?” he asked, this time in a more forceful and aggressive tone.

“Uhh…of course not,” I responded as I impatiently waited for the light to turn green. I was starting to feel uncomfortable.

“Then take a stand against Obama’s call for healthcare reform!!!” the man yelled.

I politely told him I’d had enough as I proceeded to roll up my window, but just before I could, the man took one step back and boldly screamed “Heil Hitler!” as he motioned his hand upward from his chest.

I was so angry. All I wanted to do was enjoy my drive home after a long day of work, but instead I was rudely ambushed and called a Nazi-supporter. 

How can we expect to get anything accomplished with that kind of mindset? The thing is, I might have even considered listening to the man’s point if he hadn’t approached me with the attitude of a stubborn preschooler. Obviously, people are listening to too much Rush Limbaugh. 

I understand healthcare is an emotionally fueled issue for a lot of people because it involves illness, treatment and end-of-life. However, I don’t understand how some people think their radical behavior, and downright childish attitudes, are helping the cause. If we can just get past the labels of “Democrat” and “Republican”, maybe we can see the person that is left behind. I don’t understand why some people think that because I have a different political viewpoint than them means we can’t have an intelligent and respectful conversation. Why am I automatically judged and treated with hostility? Just because I voted for Obama doesn’t mean I agree with everything he does.

In fact, I think there are really valid concerns out there about Obama’s plan. A lot of people think government health care is the saving grace of the world, but what’s it really like? I don’t know firsthand, but I do know this video about the Canadian healthcare system got me to raise an eyebrow.

I do think President Obama should continue his push for a healthcare overhaul, and I admire his recent efforts to “set the record straight.”

I think most people agree the system needs change—the difficulty lies in deciding on what kind. The bottom line is, healthcare is something that everyone needs at one point or another. Respectful debate can bring about real change, understanding and compromise. However, hostility and close-mindedness like the kind seen here only weaken our ability to come together to build a stronger, more prosperous nation.