I like what Peter Maurin wrote years ago – his pithy 'Easy Essays'. I was revisiting some of them today, spurred, I think, by the Labor Day holiday. I don't necessarily agree with all he wrote, and I'm sure he would agree that it's good to have debates about ideas. But, I like the way he approaches a subject; I like the way he thinks and the way he presents an idea.
If he was around today, what would Peter Maurin write about the health-care 'debate'? I'm fairly sure he would write about the emptiness, divisiveness and bias of the current rhetoric, and the responsibility we all have, as a community, to care for the poor. Or perhaps that is just what I would want him to write about. Maybe that's what I want to write about.
There has been so much fear injected into the discussion of health care reform - so much fear that people's initial reaction to any idea on the topic is that of fear and mistrust. That initial reaction poisons any constructive dialog. That fear is fanned-up in people by those whose intentions are to manipulate the public discourse as a means to achieve their goal of opposing the government. It doesn't matter so much what the issue is, as long as it can be used against the current government. Health care reform is the current issue, but it could be pretty much anything else.
It reminds me of how hot winds can whip a small fire up into a major firestorm. Without the hot wind, the small fire would be contained and we would all see things more clearly.
And this brings me back to Peter Maurin, who had a way of cutting though the smoke and getting some clarity on an issue. One example, from 'They And We':
That's a good insight, even for today's debate.
The other day I got a chain-email that had a link to a YouTube video of some guy appealing to Catholics by making arguments against the health care reform effort by linking it to socialism, and the church's stance against socialism. The funny thing was that there were elements of truth in most everything he said, but so much of it was taken out of context as to make it very misleading. I had a hard time watching all the way through because it was so manipulative. So then I decided to take a look at what the bishops have to say about health care reform; while I don't always like or agree with them, they are after all the bishops and they deserve to be heard.
On the US Bishops' web site I found their four-part position on health care reform:
OK, that sounds pretty good, reasonable, and gospel-driven. Some bishops are going to be further to the right of this, and some to the left – but for a group statement for assisting Catholics in understanding what the church wants, this is good. I can easily relate this back to 'whatsoever you do for the least of these', 'love your neighbor as yourself', and so on.
I'm not sure where I go from here; I'm fairly certain that it needs to be driven more from an 'I' vs a 'they' perspective. I do know that in the past few years, the cost of my health insurance has more than doubled while the coverage has decreased. My wages certainly haven't doubled, either. I do know people who have gone without health care, and people who have filed bankruptcy because they couldn't pay their health-care bills. I know that in one of the most prosperous and resourceful nations in the world, it isn't right that people go without healthcare or go bankrupt because of healthcare. What I am less certain of is our ability to engage in a constructive process that creates a universal health policy that all can access, that serves the common good while maintaining personal freedom and that fairly distributes the costs of care.
If he was around today, what would Peter Maurin write about the health-care 'debate'? I'm fairly sure he would write about the emptiness, divisiveness and bias of the current rhetoric, and the responsibility we all have, as a community, to care for the poor. Or perhaps that is just what I would want him to write about. Maybe that's what I want to write about.
There has been so much fear injected into the discussion of health care reform - so much fear that people's initial reaction to any idea on the topic is that of fear and mistrust. That initial reaction poisons any constructive dialog. That fear is fanned-up in people by those whose intentions are to manipulate the public discourse as a means to achieve their goal of opposing the government. It doesn't matter so much what the issue is, as long as it can be used against the current government. Health care reform is the current issue, but it could be pretty much anything else.
It reminds me of how hot winds can whip a small fire up into a major firestorm. Without the hot wind, the small fire would be contained and we would all see things more clearly.
And this brings me back to Peter Maurin, who had a way of cutting though the smoke and getting some clarity on an issue. One example, from 'They And We':
1. People say:
"They don't do this,
they don't do that,
they ought to do this,
this ought to do that."
2. Always "They"
and never "I".
That's a good insight, even for today's debate.
The other day I got a chain-email that had a link to a YouTube video of some guy appealing to Catholics by making arguments against the health care reform effort by linking it to socialism, and the church's stance against socialism. The funny thing was that there were elements of truth in most everything he said, but so much of it was taken out of context as to make it very misleading. I had a hard time watching all the way through because it was so manipulative. So then I decided to take a look at what the bishops have to say about health care reform; while I don't always like or agree with them, they are after all the bishops and they deserve to be heard.
On the US Bishops' web site I found their four-part position on health care reform:
- a truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity
- access for all with a special concern for the poor and inclusion of legal immigrants
- pursuing the common good and preserving pluralism including freedom of conscience and variety of options
- restraining costs and applying them equitably across the spectrum of payers
OK, that sounds pretty good, reasonable, and gospel-driven. Some bishops are going to be further to the right of this, and some to the left – but for a group statement for assisting Catholics in understanding what the church wants, this is good. I can easily relate this back to 'whatsoever you do for the least of these', 'love your neighbor as yourself', and so on.
I'm not sure where I go from here; I'm fairly certain that it needs to be driven more from an 'I' vs a 'they' perspective. I do know that in the past few years, the cost of my health insurance has more than doubled while the coverage has decreased. My wages certainly haven't doubled, either. I do know people who have gone without health care, and people who have filed bankruptcy because they couldn't pay their health-care bills. I know that in one of the most prosperous and resourceful nations in the world, it isn't right that people go without healthcare or go bankrupt because of healthcare. What I am less certain of is our ability to engage in a constructive process that creates a universal health policy that all can access, that serves the common good while maintaining personal freedom and that fairly distributes the costs of care.
>>Some bishops are going to be further to the right of this, and some to the left<<
All together now folks!
Left, Right, Left, Right,
"I"'ve been told what "they" say,
Every dog shall have his day.
"I" certainly care what "they" do,
So tired of the Health Care Blues.
Good to see you back Steve
Posted by: Victor | September 08, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Thanks Vic! That's a catchy little song you made there...
Posted by: Steve Bogner | September 10, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Between me and you, 'I' still don't know what "IT" means when 'they' talk about being 'Right' cause all I know is why should anyone be 'Left' Behind?
Left, Right, Left, Right,
'I' don't know but 'they've' been told,
"IT"s all about saving our immortal soul.
Sorry Victor! I didn't mean to whine UP sinner vic! :)
Peace
Posted by: Victor | September 10, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Hi Steve,
In regard to health care, I wish there was less fuss and debate over who pays, and more fuss and debate over why everything costs so darned much, and why the costs are rapidly rising all out of proportion to the rate of inflation and the cost of most everything else.
The polarization and general lack of civility in our society doesn't help much either, as perfectly reflected in someone yelling "liar" from the floor while the president was addressing both houses of Congress.
In any case, If Peter Maurin had specifically addressed the issue of health care in his Easy Essays, I'm quite sure he would have said that it was a right in accordance with basic human dignity, and not a privilige or a commodity.
Posted by: Jeff | September 11, 2009 at 06:36 PM
check out the video "poetry of michael franti' posted 9-16-09 at http://mospec23.blogspot.com/
Don't bother reading the post itslef, just listen to the music, read the poetry, hear the interview .... here's a guy who gets what it measn to care about what matters. If you visit and listen to the video, let me know what you think.
I think he is so on point in terms of what this country needs, but he is not well known (yet(. I think his take on the whole state of affairs is a coherent view of what is and a beautiful vision of what could be. He's all about brotherhood, unity, getting along, shsring, yes, solidarity. And very God centric whether that be from a Christian, Muslim, Jewish or other tradition. Instead of all the usual vendors, at a Franti concert there are rows of booths of non-profits serving the underserved - AIDS relief, the battered and the homeless, food banks, clean water initiatives - even if you hate the music (more or less regggae-inspired) how can it not be a good thing to have these booths equal or outnumber the beer and alcohol stands?? If no one gets involved nothing will change and if folks aren't educated ona level they're comfortable with no one will get involved.
It's short, doesn't take much time ... please leave your ocmment(s) and let me know what you think
Posted by: ms | September 17, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Hey Steve, Glad to see you've posted some ideas here again.
Just wanted to let you know I'm reading.
Thanks for the quote from Maurin and for the Bishops' site.
See you in the pews. Philip
Posted by: Philip | October 02, 2009 at 03:47 PM