Health Care: A Parable for Modern Times
Do thugs disrupting meetings care about their neighbor?
Do they want their neighbor to care about them?
A long time ago, a young seeker confronted a complacent, self-satisfied society with a message of love and healing. He was asked: "Who should I love?"
And the wandering hippie of his day answered the question with a story, which went something like this, updated for today:
A guy set out to go to a meeting. And on his way he was set upon by thugs, bent on disrupting the meeting. They beat him up, called him names, and left him in the gutter.Each of us here has likely done something - maybe many things - likely unknown and unsung, whether related to health care - or some other kind of caring for a stranger or a friend - who needed help.
An insurance exec passed the person in the gutter and gave him a kick. He reassured himself that the guy in the gutter was probably a drunk. And was glad to recall that none of his company's money was allowed to care for drunks - or anyone who let themselves get beaten up.
A lobbyist passed the person in the gutter. He gave him a kick. And when the man groaned, the lobbyist heaped scorn on him. Told him to get on with his dying or get up and find himself a way to serve the god of money and power and influence - if he ever expected anyone to give him help.
Others passed by too. Perhaps you can tell us those stories.
Finally, a family came along. And a little kid asked his parents why this person was lying there and nobody was helping him. The kid asked a bunch of questions. Why would a city let people just lie in the gutter? How could people walk by and do nothing? And why do they tell him it's his fault if he's sick?
This little kid was like the one who noticed the Emperor had no clothes. He just wouldn't stop asking questions. And he wouldn't let his parents go any further. Till they answered the questions and did something!
You can imagine what they did. And write about it below if you like. I suspect it's a story with many chapters to it.
How can we hold our heads up in the family of nations, if we pass by and ignore our fellow citizens in need? How can we hold our heads up in the family of nations, if our media are broadcasting images of thugs verbally bashing health care advocates and disrupting public, democratic discussions?
I'm throwing in my lot with that hippie of long ago. With peacemakers of every tradition. I don't care what group you belong to - but if you advocate peace and compassion and justice and caring for and about your fellow citizen, then we can work together.
Majority Rule is not mob rule.
Peacemakers, it's time to stand up!
Quietly..... creatively....
__________________________________________________
Like this:
Light a Candle for Health Care
Click on the candle below or the link above. It will guide you to light a candle. You can join the candle group "TPM" or start another candle group. You can add a message as well as your name and your location before you light the candle. Once you've "lit" one, you will be given an opportunity to email your candle. Let people know you prefer to light one candle than to curse the darkness of those who seek to disrupt health care legislation. Ask others to join this quiet demonstration in favor of justice and health care for all.
You can click here and see the TPM candles and read the messages. You can also light a candle directly from the TPM candle page. (just click on an unlit candle and you'll be guided)
Namaste.
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Why are some people so damnable mean? That always struck me.
I just read that Texas has the greatest health insurance crisis in the nation. More kids uninsured. More people from a percentage of population perspective.
Some poll is being quoted that there is a backlash against the secessionists/conservatives down there.
I like this parable. We need to act more like children sometimes and point out the obvious.
August 5, 2009 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bless you, dd. We need to cling to the kinds of things we teach children. Don't hit. Don't call names. Learn to share. We teach it children. And there's something to be said for becoming like little children.
I know I may be in the minority. Call me nuts or idealistic or whatever. But the way of the thugs is not the way to go.... Nor the way of the corporate person. Nor the way of the deniers who beat their breasts on Sunday and ignore the pain of others all week long. I'd rather be scorned for caring than worshiped for joining the thugs and repugs.
August 5, 2009 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd rather be scorned for caring than worshiped for joining the thugs and repugs.
Amen.
August 5, 2009 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
♪ ♪ ♪ ♫! :-)! ♪ ♪ ♪ ♫!
August 5, 2009 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Scorned????
Like this?
'X' marks the spot . . .
~OGD~
August 6, 2009 4:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously, this obsession needs to stop.
Was it necessary to bring me into this love fest? Was it necessary to provide a quote that has nothing whatsoever to do with this blog? So I am a thug and repug now?
Most of the Looking Glass Left are hypocrites and can't stand me being around holding the mirror.
August 6, 2009 7:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
In all sincerity, I wish you peace, Jason.
August 6, 2009 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ditto, TheraP. Seems we worked out our misunderstandings months ago, so I have no quarrel with you are anything you wrote in this blog.
I largely agree even if I think it is a little too narrowly focused. We have had bipartisan neglect from Washington as long as I can remember. Until we can truly take off the ideological blinders at the grassroots, I am afraid it will continue unabated. "They" win if we stay divided.
Namaste.
August 6, 2009 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
This blog, as you likely see, is aimed more at the fate of the Republic than just the fate of health care. The fate of our society is at stake - the fate of a civil society. A civil and compassionate society. I have no quarrel with anyone who seeks justice, compassion, and equality. Those values which have no end to them. So, in my view, this is not at all a narrowly focused blog. Its aim is universal. It goes beyond our country. The guy in the gutter could just as well be anyone on the globe.
Namaste: That means we venerate each and every person. We venerate what is sacred within each and every one.
I'm off... to do a work of mercy.
August 6, 2009 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree, you were specifically non-partisan as you described the "bad guys" in your piece which is why I thought the duck's contribution was a bit odd.
As to the meaning of Namaste, it is actually more accurate to say that it means the divinity within me recognizes the divinity within you and beyond to the divinity that is within us all. I bet there are some right-leaning evangelical Christians who get with that message, even if fundamentalists don't seem to get the irony of their positions.
Good luck on the mercy mission!
August 6, 2009 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
One last thought, though non-partisan in nature, there is an underlying assumption that you are talking about republicans in this parable. That was the narrowness I was referring to.
August 6, 2009 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
That is an assumption you made. It is not specific to the story. The story is not even specific to America.
Now I'm really off!
August 6, 2009 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it is a little disingenuous to claim you didn't have a specific "villian" for this story, but I am willing to accept that you think that is so.
August 6, 2009 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Villain = lobbyists & soul-less corporations funding thugs, and mobs. It's like when Jesus threw the money-changers out of the Temple!
No matter. The post stands as written. And your many posts guarantee its importance to the ongoing issues.
So thanks for that! :)
August 6, 2009 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think our general lack of empathy as a society for those not like ourselves is most certainly an important issue that doesn't get enough ink.
August 6, 2009 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
A thug and repug ???
Naw ... Mister Bluster just seems to enjoy sitting in his high judgmental chair of self-satisfaction as he scorns those he sees as less than he . . .
My candles is lit ... Will he wish to blow it out?
~OGD~
August 7, 2009 6:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's called constructive criticism. I am pretty sure it is the same shit you tell yourself that you are doing when you chase me from thread to thread throwing excrement.
August 7, 2009 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excrement?
Some folks wear it well . . .
I wonder if he tried blowing out my candle yet?
There are two there now . . .
~OGD~
August 7, 2009 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
You should get your meds checked. You're just talking gibberish now.
August 7, 2009 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh well . . .
One man's "gibberish" is another man's parable...
What was that about "..first take the log out of your own eye..."
As was pointed out above when Mister Bluster is faced with the reality of his scornful words about others he can only resort to additional scorn ...
Oh and ... here's another piece of "gibberish" uttered many many moons ago...
All but for the leopard and his spots..."
~OGD~
August 8, 2009 6:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
dickday that really makes my brain smoke. Remember the Gore/Bush presidential debates when Gore was winning until the media started whining about him acting like the smartest kid in the class? Not only did I not understand that, I thought Bush acted like the class clown. Pulling answers out of thin air and waiting to see if the teacher (moderator) called him on them.
The issue I especially remember was the number of Texas children who were uninsured. W was so very proud that Texas had voted for and funded a health insurance program during the last session. What he did not answer was why the numbers were getting worse instead of better. (The legislature had not voted an amount that would realistically address the problem, only enough to make it look good.) The real kicker was that since the Texas legislature meets every 2 years, the kids had to wait another year for more funding. Too expensive to call the legislators all back to refund the bill. (Unless you are Tom Delay trying to gerrymander the districts in time for the 2002 vote.)
The other thing children need to be encourage in is refining their questioning skills. They start out as natural observers and questioners. All too often they are discouraged from this. The brightest thinkers are very good questioners.
August 5, 2009 9:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cognitive psychologists view the ability to ask good questions as a specific and important skill.
I agree. And I have to say, dd is one of the best question-askers ever! It's one of the things I love most about him. In addition to his humor. ;)
All hail dd! (TheraP bows....)
August 6, 2009 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.democracyforamerica.com has a pledge to sign (please do!) and it links to info about just who stands where on the issue of the public option.
I like the idea of block or street meetings. A night out for health care. It should be health care, dammit. Not health insurance.
August 5, 2009 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Loosey, thank you. I signed up!!
August 5, 2009 7:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, I'm glad to see that idea is catching on! And being disseminated so widely! I am totally in favor of any kind of peaceful, easy method for people to demonstrate in a quiet way, along with others right in their neighborhood, that we are all neighbors.
August 6, 2009 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think I know that story.
Thanks, Thera.
August 5, 2009 8:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Peace be with you, my dear bwak! :-)
August 6, 2009 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the link to Democracy for America.
And Dr. Dean's list outlining the stance of each member of Congress on the public option was extremely helpful.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
August 6, 2009 1:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey Hey . . .
If you go back and read the list outlining the stance of each member of Congress on Dean's site, keep in mind a little post I dropped here at my Cafe blog . . .
It Gets Cold as Ice . . .
I wonder if the House Democrats who are listed as "I Don't Know" really wish to be left on that cold platform as the train pulls away from the station?
~OGD~
August 6, 2009 4:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
But it is prudent now, is it not, to nudge some of those wary dem politicians in the station with one or both feet still on the platform?
This train is a good train. But the message from boorish town hall meeting disrupters is meant to discourage getting aboard. Not to say all of Congress listens to static, but it is there and may be hard to tune out, especially if Pharma and Insurance money have been responsible in large part for victorious election campaigns.
August 6, 2009 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you ... Leftyloosey . . .
I have been on the front lines for 40+ years. I know how and when to use either a velvet glove or a swift defensive kick to the butt.
And yes. You are correct about the need to "nudge" those who need nudging. But also understand that one must not waste too much time on those who refuse to budge from the nudge.
Static and/or chaos are normal environments for a duck to operate in.
Thanks to you -- for your nugget.
~OGD~
August 7, 2009 2:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your visit is much appreciated. :)
August 6, 2009 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Quack!
~OGD~
August 7, 2009 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well said, Thera.
It is good to see you back, even if it is with less frequency than before.
I know you're fighting the good fight in your own way. Thanks for that too.
August 6, 2009 8:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love your avatar! And yes, I am trying to live by it. It is the best question ever. It fits everything! It is so important.
Peace be with you. Deep peace.
August 6, 2009 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink