Brains!

Dear persons with power representing me and all others who should know,

http://www.amazon.com/Pathologies-Power-Health-Human-Rights/dp/0520235509

Above is a link to one of the most influential books I studied at school. Like the title describes it really leaves the reader with an astounding solidification of hazy thoughts about power inequalities. What I mean by that is, we all know money and corporations rule the now globalized world. But this book helps to explore how deep the wounds from that power struggle run throughout, how they effect everyone human singularly. In regards to health care, what resonated with me most, is that it should be considered a basic human right. In fact in my eyes it is, and it always has been, but Farmer's book, like I said solidified that belief.

The same united beliefs we have as a collective of American citizens, are the exact same beliefs that make me a strong supporter of a public health care option. Everyone agrees that it is our basic human right and our governments responsibility, to provide us with education, protection of freedoms, social security, public lands, a lawyer to defend out innocence etc., why not health care? Why are we so against sharing our strength?

Am I bias? Of course I am. I believe in equality, a sharing of power, sharing resources with all life including the lands we live on...some people might call that liberal. I just happen to think it's a question of what is what is humane. When are we going to start taking care of each other, instead of demonizing each other? When is wanting what is best for everyone going to kick the money grabbers, and power wielders out of the front seat and drive us to joining the rest of the industrialized world in this belief?

What do I think beyond the philosophical airy junk. Let's talk specifics, my own personal ideas. (These might pertain to my own personal situation).

-I want companies that offer benefits to their employees to get tax write offs if their employees visit a gym 3 times a week. I don't know how that could be enforced, but we should somehow be rewarded for our efforts to live healthy lifestyles. Which leads to my next point.
-I want health care to revolve around prevention and not around treatment after the fact.
-I want doctors to give me more options then just pharmaceuticals, and for drug commercials to be banned from TV all together.
-I haven't been to see a doctor I felt comfortable with or thought actually cared about me, except once. The one time I got a paps at the HSU Health Center, was the one time I actually felt like the doctor was speaking to me as a human being, and not as a host for disease that had to be conquered, tamed, kept in check. Cure administered, mission accomplished, cross off the list, next.
-I don't want to call my insurance company 30 times in a week to get answers.
-The present system should not be called health care, its health war. War after the fact. I don't feel like anyone is preventing anything from happening to me, they are only there when there's a task set, a problem to be solved.
-If I could imagine the perfect meeting with a new doctor, it would be, me meeting my doctor to have a face to face talk, not in an examination room. First we would discuss my health history. Then we would discuss what I do to keep myself healthy, which would lead to any concerns I have currently. Then we would head to the examination room to look at the concerns.

SO to whom it may concern, that is really how I feel about 'health care', and I want my voice to be heard.