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3/29/2010
HATRED OFTEN EQUALS PLAIN OLD FEAR
I usually try to stay away from
political discussion, but what the heck. I really feel compelled to comment on the extraordinary recent events.
It's amazing that anyone could rationally object to helping American
citizens achieve adequate healthcare. The argument that healthcare reform is a big government takeover is absurd in view
of Medicare, Social Security, etc. This is nothing new in terms of government stepping in to fill a void in the security
and well-being of its citizens.
I
agree with pundits that say the rage exhibited by some protesters to healthcare reform seem over the top. In
short, their vitriolic reaction, seems seriously out of proportion to its cause, and that perhaps there is
another reason behind these extreme responses.
It is a fact that fear and lack of understanding is often
the facilitator of hate. In this case, I believe there is a fear that life in American society is changing; a fear accompanied
by a sense that a way of life is being lost. My response to that kind of fear is to point out that change is
inevitable. Embrace it. Hatred and violence is hardly a rational response to a society that is moving into
the future.
On the other hand, if objection to healthcare reform really is the reason for
all this negative response, then my suggestion is that a spirit of positive cooperation would go a lot further toward meeting
a goal of possibly changing the legislation. After all, it is difficult to take people described as "the lunatic
fringe" seriously.
Just a thought.
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