The President's Communist Plot

Today was a historic day for America, indeed a historic day for the World. In my mind, looking at the Health Care debate as an outsider from a European perspective, passing the Health Care Bill has brought America up to date with the rest of the western world. The moral, social and political repercussions of nationalising health care are not easy to predict or define in the American case, but I can only assume as a firm believer in social justice on the most primitive societal issues (voting/the penal system/health care), that this new Bill will ensure a more fair society for all. Watching the past weeks and months of debate in the house and the senate I have been left fairly bemused as to the exact workings of Congressional bills - to be more precise - how exactly reconciliation and repeal impact on the voting stance of each representative and what it is that the executive does to get their men and women 'onside'. The good news is that what's done is done - over the next few months people previously not covered will be so and the 'pre-existing condition' dilemma will be solved. Ted Kennedy will be smiling from cheek to cheek in his Arlington grave. What has dismayed me during this fascinating last push over health care has been the primal resistance to 'change' that has surfaced amongst some Americans. I understand and to a large extent believe in the conservative mantra 'if it aint broke don't fix it'. However the health care system, with it's powerhouse insurance companies and its disregard for those struggling in life, was clearly broken. Perhaps 'broken' is the wrong word, for the insurance companies procured dollar after dollar with the greatest fluidity, suggesting a well-oiled machine. I'll go with 'wrong'. Wrong on more levels than I wish to discuss here. The point is that some opponents of socialised health care chastised the bill as a 'yankee war of aggression' and a 'communist plot'. I realize I may be listening to people and quotes that don't matter, but they seem to hit home from wherever and whomever they come. I know America doesn't want to model itself on western Europe, I realise they take pride in the unique successes and diversity that the country undoubtedly represents, but surely it is clear to all Americans that in every democracy around the world - be they right wing or left wing leaning - is part privatized, part socialized. Nationalising health care is not 'socialist' in the sense that the McCarthy legacy in the US suggests - and it certainly isn't 'communist'. David Cameron's Conservative party may well win the upcoming election in the UK - and he intends like any sane member of the western democratic world to uphold and improve our national health care system. Being 'conservative' does not demand vehement opposition to 'socialized' health care, at least not the 21st century world I live in. That is why I have been surprised by the nature of the conservative opposition to health care, and I'm sure it all boils down to me being European and still not at one with what America really is.