Herds and Health Care

In the USA  (United States of Absurd), we have a "debate" that health care should or shouldn't be a "right".  Now only in a selfish country with a non-reality based political class could such a ridiculous argument even be had.

Although we live in houses, instead of the woods, and drive cars, instead of walk, and eat prepared foods, instead of grass in a field, we are still just a herd of animals as far as any infectious diseases go. And just like any herd of animals we are susceptible to diseases that could devastate our herd.  This makes a basic health care system for all not a right but a NECESSITY!

Now some virus like the one that caused the 1918 flu pandemic, or something even worse, is not going to check the constitution to be sure that it is "legal" to infect a person.  It is not going to check their voter registration card to see if they  are a Republican or a Democrat, or check their insurance card, or their IRS tax return, if it CAN infect a person, it WILL infect that person.

Now let me tell you a little story of what could happen, because our society holds the "common good" in such low regard.

I hear that the current Mayor of NY rides the subway.  Lets say someday in the not too distant future, someone gets on Mr B's subway car with a, very deadly, very aggressive, very drug resistant, TB virus.  This virus was formed through mutations that occurred while it was infecting the uninsured poor who could not afford effective treatment.

WIthin weeks everyone that rode in that subway car is severely ill.  Most of those that were poor, die quietly in their homes, with no fanfare, because they cant afford to go to the hospital.  Mr.  B being rich, gets the best care that the "best health care system" can provide, but it is too late.  There is no cure for him, and Mr. B drowns in his own mucus surrounded by the finest medical hardware available.

This new TB virus has a 70% mortality rate, unfortunately it is decided by the corporate media that the public should not be told this to avoid panic.  Sadly not knowing the TRUTH prevents the public from acting in its own best interest.

 Soon the disease is spreading rapidly across the country.  Some Democrats and a even a few Republicans try to push through an emergency health care package, effectively creating a basic universal health care system so people can be universally vaccinated, and treated for the disease.

The right wing goes nuts over this.  They rally their base, and the bill is defeated.  Boehner feigning rage, says the country has been saved from socialism.  Shortly after the defeat of the bill, Beck becomes infected.  Once he starts coughing on air he is quickly and quietly replaced.

The disease spreads.  Many hospitals try to treat as many people as possible, but can't absorb all the costs and go bankrupt.  Some of the upscale for profit hospitals refuse to take non paying patients, and make quite a "killing" treating their upscale clients, but in the end most of them still die. The stocks of these for profit hospitals soar.

The rich retreat to their gated communities, but get infected anyway because their poor housekeepers and cooks can't afford to see doctors, and the free clinics are overwhelmed.  The poor infect the rich.

Things get so bad that Wall Street has to shutdown because so many traders are out sick.  Their lobbyists pressure congress to do something to help stop the spread of the disease, but the insurance lobby holds up any legislation until their lobbyists can be sure it is "health industry friendly".  That hold up of the legislation was the last thing Karen Ignagni of Americas Health Insurance Plans managed to do, before she succumbed to the disease herself.  AHIP gives her grieving family a very nice Lucite award all for her hard work.  AHIP replaces Ignagni before she is even buried.

Finally the disease hits K street and the Capital itself.  A universal health care package is quickly passed.  A tearful Boehner says Republicans passed the universal health care bill because, "It was the right thing to do", and they were, "always in favor of common sense health care reform".

The United States of the Absurd never recovers from what in the end becomes referred to as "The Fools Plague".  Some say it was a fitting end for what the American empire had become.