More insular dogma of the idealogue

Vance:
"House republicans warn of socialism under Obama". Is that supposed to be a bad thing?


Matthew:
Why would you believe anything that House Republicans have to say about anything at this point?

Vance:
Matt, I totally believe that house republicans are trying to warn America of socialism under Obama. I don't see a problem with social programs designed to help those in need. Are you coming here for the EcoLiving event?

Matthew:
Would that be the sort of socialism that you moved back to Canada for? - you know the kind; the type that provides for decent health care for your children.

And no; I think those sort of eco-events are stupid.

Vance:
...yes, I went from spending 5-6k a year in the States on healthcare for my boy to $330 CDN last year. When you consider the current exchange rate that's about five dollars U.S.

Matthew's Reply:
I wish we could stop with the talk of socialism and instead speak of building an economy that works for people instead of corporations. Dumbing down the conversation with loaded (and outdated) terms like socialism serves the interest of the later rather than the former. The ground has shifted and we as a nation finally have a chance to confront a lot of the problems with our economy. My question for you is - do you want to be a voice for change or stuck in the same paradigm that got us into this mess in the first place.

As far as climate change is concerned; individual actions on the part of citizens, though laudatory, are not what is going to solve the problem. We need coordinated global actions that support for the emerging technologies that will take us into the new century.

Vance's reply:
It's unfortunate that so many people do not understand the value of having
access to extremely important social programs and that when the word "socialism"
is mentioned they immediately overreact and think in the extreme case. It is this extreme lack of understanding
between the balance of politics, economy and support that has put society where it is today. This may likely be
cause by growing up in an environment where they know no better and their experience to difference and change
is limited. I am fortunate to grow up healthy in a place with affordable healthcare and then raise a family
where there is none. I have a unique and holistic perspective shared by few enlightened people.

To suggest that important social programs such as healthcare benefit corporations and not people without
understanding that the "lack" of certain social programs have an extremely negative impact on the economy
is not just glib but irresponsible. The healthcare system in the U.S. is not designed to provide and
create a healthy environment but yet is there to make insurance and pharmaceutical corporations wealthy
beyond belief. There are 50 million Americans without healthcare. There is a percentage of those that
do have healthcare and have serious health problems. Those people have have to renegotiate debt, bury
it their homes that they will never own, file bankruptcy, do not pay for emergency visits. This debt is
then passed on to the consumer as higher interest rates and higher premiums. Society encures debt,
our populace in their sunset years do not have money to retire and there is a greater draw on welfare
which impacts the economy even more and subsequent spread of poverty.

There is really no place for the insular dogma of the idealogue anymore. Things are not that black and white.
It's this myopic exclusionary elitism that has drained the economy and created such hardship. It is time to effect
change by leading, changing how we do things, and having a voice and supporting those who choose to join together
to be heard. Its not time to be an armchair critic it's time to get involved. My question to you is
are you going to be galvanized into action to create a better world for your kids or post political
diatribes on facebook. When you have sacrificed your financial future and your health as I have for your
children you'll understand. Until then I look forward to your next political commentary. (P.S. hope all is with
everything)

Matthew's reply:
Firstly; I believe you misunderstood my statement about corporate interests when I stated "I wish we could stop with the talk of socialism and instead speak of building an economy that works for people instead of corporations". My intention was to highlight the damage that loaded (and outdated) terms like socialism does to the movement for universal healthcare in the USA. Just listen to the Republicans in congress throwing around this term-sickening. I whole heartedly agree that the "lack" of certain social programs have an extremely negative impact on the economy. This focus on short term profits has not lead to a healthcare system that promotes the needs of our citizenry. By keeping the focus on socialism vs. Capitalism you are playing right into the republican/corporate strategy.

Secondly; could you please explain how "myopic exclusionary elitism () has drained the economy and created such hardship." Unless you are speaking of the elitism of the self-described "Masters of the Universe" (wall street), in which case I agree. Certainly the hardly ever heard rumblings of the political left in this country are not to blame for our current fiscal and environmental crisis!

As far as being "galvanized to action"...methinks you doth assume too much. Facebook is not the entirety of how my family and I affect positive change. Your assumption otherwise is more than a little condescending and frankly quite irritating. If you want to get into a "dick measuring contest" (in the words of our friend Tom) over who leads the lifestyle with the smallest carbon footprint (or any other measure of sustainability), I'd be happy to oblige, but I think it would be a bit immature.

And I do think it is necessary and important to understand how we got into our present predicament. To that end, understanding who has placed greed, stupidity and short-term thinking above concern for and actions that promote a peaceful and sustainable future for our children is important. The libertarian tendencies in government and industry since Regan should be once and for all put to bed. They do not work. Period. I'll keep shouting this from the rooftops, thank you very much.

It is not hard to understand why those who have promoted the values that have lead to this crisis keep pushing for the citizenry to forgive and forget. It's also not hard to understand why there are many of us who reject this.

I wonder, why is it that "so many people do not understand the value of having access to extremely important social programs and that when the word "socialism" is mentioned they immediately overreact and think in the extreme case"? What's your take on why this is so? Think FOX news has anything to do with it? For that matter, perhaps the supposed "left wing bias" in the media is really a bunch of hooey...

You know, the same biases and tendencies that have led to "The healthcare system in the U.S. is not designed to provide and
create a healthy environment but yet is there to make insurance and pharmaceutical corporations wealthy beyond belief" has also allowed us to create communities that are unlivable, corporations to get away with polluting and avoiding responsibility, and a nation that is dependent on resources that are warming our planet and compromise our national security. When I hear the republicans, wall street (and some right-leaning democrats) continue to push for these broken policies, it makes me feel sick.