The allegedly populist movement fighting the most populist piece of legislation in recent memory
Today, Politico released a story tying together the many disparate attempts by Tea Party operatives to block the implementation of the Affordable Care Act at the state level. In short, because Republicans could not outright block the bill while it was in Congress, Tea Party-affiliated state officials are now out to block its implementation on a state-by-state basis. And in related news, Republicans in Washington, including Speaker Boehner, are attempting to stifle the Act's implementation by attacking its sources of funding. If nothing else, one must admire their sheer sense of determination.
What is so sad, however, is how the Tea Party and Republicans have created a clouded, convoluted view of the health care debate, much to the detriment of common people across the United States. They have effectively used language to turn the tables against the administration and the Affordable Care Act by dubbing themselves the "populists" of the present day. In their everyday discourse, the Act is a gargantuan , "job-killing", evil government takeover of healthcare. Something which will put a government bureaucrat between you and your doctor. We have all heard the story day in and day out.
In reality, this allegedly "populist" backlash against a "government takeover" is a frightening case study in the people voting (and acting) against their own self-interest and the interest of their fellow citizens. They have been manipulated to the point that they truly believe healthcare reform would be a victory for government and a great loss for individuals and families. What Tea Party members seem incapable of answering, however, are such questions as: 'Do you truly think large insurance companies are on your family's side in this debate?', 'Who do you think is standing between you and your doctor now?', and most importantly, 'Do you have the right to vote for the board members of your insurance company, or do you have the right to vote for your elected officials?'
Perhaps the debate would be a very different one if those questions could be answered. Perhaps it would be a very different debate if the Tea Party members understood the insurance industry. And perhaps it would be different if an quick, user-friendly, graphic-filled explanation of the bill were send out to the public. Then again, maybe not. . .
