"Washing out mouths with a .357"

I heard this from a fellow co-worker today who is "all upset" about where our country is going. After he said it, I sat stunned in suspended silence wondering how or if I should respond.

My first thought was my response;

"I prefer to settle our political differences with ballots, not bullets".

"But we're becoming socialists!" was the reply.

"How"? was my query.

"Health care reform!"

I about lost it but kept my cool, I seriously tire of these kinds of words because they are flat out WRONG when describing that effort.

"How"? again was my response.

"Because it's all mandatory and I don't want to pay for some fucking deadbeat's health coverage!" Came the ugly words steeped in heavy ignorance. "It was forced down our throats!".

"Seriously? I take it you didn't vote for Obama?"

"HELLO NO!" as the anger rose like thick black smoke.

"So then you'd be surprised to know that 'mandatory coverage' was originally a Republican idea, before they were against the very same idea when it came from Obama's lips? And seriously, speaking of being forced down ones throat, I'm still choking on the Iraq War rationale with no explanations for the obvious fuck ups that cost Americans not only trillions but a helluva lot of blood."

"Huh?" came the voice, but not so full of conviction now.

"Yeah, I didn't support that effort; Mislead into war on shakey, cooked up intelligence, financed by tax cuts for those who can afford them. Can you give me an accounting for what we spent there?"

Before I could get another response, came another question;

"Do you think that health care needs to be reformed?"

"Well, yes, but not like this!"

"Well, yes I would agree with you to a point. But realize this, we would not be talking about health care reform if it wasn't for Obama. Republicans think that letting private insurance profit off of my health is okay. That pre-existing conditions, life time payout caps, co-pays and deductables are just how the health industry works and that my only affordable choices are through my employer. Now, those things are of the past and the Republicans voted no all down the line, just to protect private insurers. NOT ME!. So, before you aim that .357, make sure you have your facts straight. Personally, I'd rather talk things out than shoot them out."

"But we had no say!"

"Then WTF were all those town halls about and Republicans being invited to speak directly with the President to talk about our options? There was plenty of say."

"We weren't heard!"

"Seriously, I stopped listening when the opposing argument depicted a black man in effigy as Hitler. The rabid, and so far that I can see, all WHITE population screamed about Nazi Germany and socialism. That's crazy hypocritical shit. I have not forgotten who was in charge when our economy veered over a cliff (nor who supported him blindly), and it was NOT Obama. You need better reasoning than that for me to believe there's a reason why we shouldn't reform".

"But, but"

"Really dude. Where's the outrage for those who put us here? If anyone dared to speak ill of Bush, it made one a "Bush Hater". There was  time that we weren't even supposed to question the President during war time. Now, we call him a liar when he's speaking to the full congressional chamber. Explain that one to me."

"Well, I guess. But..."

If you cannot logically explain it to me as to where I can understand your point and in return you refuse to listen to me, ignoring and denegrating me in the process while scrambling for your guns, then don't be too surprised no one listens to you. You are wrong and attempt to overcome your faults with brute force upon your foes. There's been plenty of talk on this subject. It's not the results I was hoping for and quite frankly,  disappointed that we did not get a Public Option. But I guess this is a start. We certainly could not continue down the same heath care path, being put into the trust of private insurance, who's primary concern is their bottom line and not my health. It didn't take much study on the subject to know that unhealthy people are not profitable and are pushed out of the system or put on outrageously expensive plans with little to no coverage, and no other options.'

"Whoa, I guess you've been studying this then?"

"Yes I have for years, and my weapon has remained holstered the whole damn time! There's a reason why Republicans lost both houses of congress and the White House. They have themselves to blame, and until they recognize that fact they are going NOWHERE."

"Well, I still don't agree"

"No shit, but don't expect everyone to feel as you do. I'm an American too and I think our health care system was seriously flawed and immoral. Win an election and make the changes you deem necessary. Until then ABIDE BY THE RESULTS! (like I had to for 8 years under Bush). That's why I think the founding fathers made freedom of speech the 1st Amendment, and the right to bear arms the 2nd. So please, put down your fucking guns!

"Um, well yeah", came the voice, more calm but puzzled now.

'Let me tell you a story, I will try to keep it short. A very good friend of mine works for a govt agency that does minor home repairs for low income seniors. He see's all kinds of people in desperate conditions. Some in serious need some just assholes. Many are stuck in a sad and stressful situations, deciding between rent and paying for prescriptions or food. This is one story that made it very clear to me that health care must be reformed, must be affordable to all who need it and not run as a greed driven corporation with million/billion dollar executives at the wheel.";

In one run down, dumpy, low rent mobile court lived an old man with his wife. As the friend of mine was in their home doing his work, he noticed a really cool framed, large photo of a bunch of people standing around an actual space shuttle, from NASA. The old man noticed my friend looking it over.


"That's me", said the frail old voice as a boney finger pointed out a strapping young man in the group. My friend looked at him and back at the picture completely puzzled. "I was an engineer that helped design the original shuttle, that's the team I was on", he said rather proudly.


"But how did you end up here? asked my friend in astonishment.


"I got sick" he replied.

Please God No, not in Christian America!!!!

That's basically where my convo with my fellow employee ended and I'm sure I gave Mr 357 something to think about.

This could happen to anybody, it already has to countless thousands or even millions. Any hardworking, independent person seeking the American dream could end up just existing while their lives were ruined because their insurance let them down when they got sick.

IMMORAL!

So, complain all you want about the current state of affairs with health care. It is no where near as bad as the path we were on. You cannot be turned down due to pre-exisitng conditions. Now I want a public option to keep costs down and in check.

Please America, your love affair with guns scares me. Please use common sense. Please only use your gun if absolutely necessary.

Now is not one of those times, rarely is it ever.