Democracy, Health Care, and Faith in People
In order for one to believe in true democracy they must have a great faith in people. In order for democracy to remain anything other than oppressive, neglecting the minority in favor of the majority, putting the few in the fire for the benefit of the many, the majority of people must have the noble ability to think outside themselves. If I, satisfied with where I am, find myself in the majority then there will be no reason for any real change to respond to the needs of the suffering other. Unless the majority exercises real compassion, democracy will lead not to the greatest good for everyone, rather it will lead to the greatest good for the greatest class, the majority group... without compassion, what's keeping the majority from simply putting all illegal immigrants into concentration camps and work camps...? Wouldn't that boost our economy? Wouldn't that make "sense"? Democracy, for it to become anything other than oppression, requires a compassionate majority who are will to do more than just what makes "sense" for themselves. Democracy requires a compassionate majority that is capable of seeing outside their own satisfaction, a majority willing to sacrifice for the good of the minority.
Unfortunately, the health care debate and all the rhetoric surrounding it has caused me to question my faith in people and thus my faith in democracy. Whenever I hear things like, "most Americans are satisfied with their health care" or "we have the best health care in the world" or "I am fine with my health care," I question my faith. Can we not be that compassionate majority? Can we not remember those without? Can we not think of the minority who would love to be satisfied with their health care if only they could afford it in the first place? If we cannot see that something must be done, something has to change for the other, we are failing to see outside ourselves and we are failing at democracy.
Unfortunately, the health care debate and all the rhetoric surrounding it has caused me to question my faith in people and thus my faith in democracy. Whenever I hear things like, "most Americans are satisfied with their health care" or "we have the best health care in the world" or "I am fine with my health care," I question my faith. Can we not be that compassionate majority? Can we not remember those without? Can we not think of the minority who would love to be satisfied with their health care if only they could afford it in the first place? If we cannot see that something must be done, something has to change for the other, we are failing to see outside ourselves and we are failing at democracy.