AARP is one of the strongest voices to be heard in the defense of the needs and interests (¿rights?) of retired Americans and, indirectly, the less favored of our fellow citizens. As retired persons it is time to stand up. AARP can show us the means of taking the offensive in issues of real importance to us. One of those matters is public health care in the United States. As an American living abroad I am very embarrassed when Spaniards tell me how lucky I am to live abroad. They are right! I had surgery for cancer and two hip operations under the public health service of Spain. Of course Spanish or Swedish or French public health has problems, but when we are in need it is always there at no added cost to us. Often we hear the old song and dance about creeping socialism when we listen to opponents of almost anything socially orientated. Are we any freer than the British, the Irish, the Spaniards, the French, the Italians, the Germans, the Austrians, the Swiss or … the Canadians? Of course we are not, and; European and Canadian insurance companies are just as profitable as are ours
Obamacare needs serious work. It is a mess because it tried to offer health care while protecting all the sacred cows such as the American Medical Association, and insurance companies. Democratic leaders in the House and the Senate were not the ideal ones and President Obama should have done something he rarely did: put on the boxing gloves. Health care is above all a human interest. Public health care is available to people in the civilized world to protect all people. That is what Mr. Obama tried to put in place. Reform it? Fine! But is whose interest, senator Ryan?
Older and insecure/weak people must begin to stand up and to inform members of congress that we have drawn a line in the sand, and if they try to blur it, AARP and others will take us to the polls in such numbers that Selma will look shadowed! Sitting back, being passive and trusting in the good intentions of the políticos is something most Europeans have grown out of. What more proof do we need to understand that we need to grow too.
To listen to wishful dreamer Mr. Trump declare that his government will deeply reform Obamacare within an hour, maybe the same day, as he did on TV on January 12, can only cause fear for health care and the nation as a whole. Where is that new Trump who many on Fox News promised us after the election? Come on! Old foxes don´t change-
Pick up the phone, crank up the e-mail or buy a stamp. It is time to stand and be counted. Wake Paul Ryan´s pals up to the fact that we do have a memory and that we will defend our rights even if it means voting him and his cohorts out of office. Millions of Americans can live without vested interest Republicans and Populists, but<; we refuse to live without solid human resources at our disposal across the land, from sea to shining sea.
overcoffee 