A senseless tragedy occurred on Saturday. A federal judge, a congressional staffer, and a nine year old girl died among others, in an assassination attempt of an Arizona democratic congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who may or may not die, or be permanently brain damaged.
Lots of people rushed to politicize the event. Which of course is expected. It was a political event, and a politician was targeted. I personally do not hold the Tea Party or any of its members responsible in any way for this tragedy. However, being politically minded. I do have an angle of this story and maybe something good can come of this tragedy.
What I see as the central issue of this tragedy, is that the "suspect" of this shooting was either diagnosed or suspected of being schizophrenic. He had failed out of school and wasn't good enough for our desperate military.
I'll skip over the fact that he was allowed to buy a gun, given his background, five weeks ago. I guess you have to be a convicted felon not to get a gun. I'm sure if you are really a felon, you'll get one on the black market.
But really, that's not my point. My point is that this man, wasn't institutionalize or given good... wait for it.... Health Care. With good health care, this man wouldn't be out on his own, or given a gun, or been in a position to kill six people and change the lives of several more.
Until the 1980s and Republican hero Ronald Reagan, our country institutionalized a lot of mentally ill in hospitals. Since the 80s most of these people are mostly on the streets or in jail. Some people just can't take care of themselves. Most of the time, these people are harmless to others, some of these people, maybe that's true all the time. Unfortunately in our society, if one person "major objects" and uses his/her nuclear option he or occasionally she, can cause a noteworthy damage to society. And besides of a moral responsibility to our fellow human beings (Americans really), this makes it in our interest to take care of "everyone." (Moses, G-d and Jesus would agree). I know there is another particular prophet out there that would agree, at least I think, but I'm kind of scared to say his name, because a few of his followers are well... you know.
With good (mental) health care, we can prevent some of these senseless tragedies and the silent tragedies of people living on the streets, who really can't take of themselves. So let me simplify why the government is getting involved in the health care industry. Lots of people with the worst conditions can't/don't qualify for/can't afford treatment. This is either because Health Insurance Companies are greedy or that it simply isn't profitable (can't be done by private companies) to insure everyone. Either the market is inefficient or it's simply impossible to make a profit in the health care industry. Either way the government (with its responsibility to the people) intercedes. Which is what our president has already done. Obamacare!!! Listen Mr. Wall Street Journal... the Health Care Industry isn't working based on the free-market, whether because of Collusion of Companies or the unprofitability of the Industry (the latter is what I think). As far as I know, no one has proved that the free market works in every situation. Let alone most. So the government infers, and the next Jared Loughner, is treated before he goes on a killing rampage. Or at least the medical/mental health records get transferred, so he is denied the right to bear arms if say he refuses treatment. G-d bless the departed and wounded.
Sincerely,
George Costanza's Number One Fan
p.s. people are scared about government health care options because of "Death Panels." umm. please to tell me What happens now?... Let me guess our current health care is so good, that you actually don't ever... you know...and no one now is ever refused a life saving procedure, because it's too expensive. Right!
