HealthCrap

Reaction to the recent passage of health care reform embodies the pure stupidity of American partisan politics.

Democrats touting the passage of the bill and Republicans screaming about the final loss of personal responsibility leave me with the impression that we certainly must be a country quite concerned about the state of our health. But we are not. 60% of everyone, blue and red, pretending to care about health care reform is overweight, and half of those are obese.

In a civilized society, working people shouldn't die from congenital or non-lifestyle-induced chronic disease for lack of access to medical care. We also shouldn't subsidize a food system that poisons people. These are valid macro, governmental level concerns. At the same time, personal responsibility for health has become so lost that we now have a formal fat acceptance movement. People shove fried corn derivatives in their mouths because they're fast, easy, and taste good, not because they're the cheapest calories for the dollar, although this is also true, and also a problem.

Quality foods and information about them should be readily available to everyone. This is a problem of our system. At the same time, people need to take the time and responsibility to learn about and eat these foods. This is a problem of the individual.

If we did not have a food system engineered to make us unhealthy, and a population that cared enough to eat well and exercise, there would be plenty of money in our health care system to care for those with legitimate medical needs.

Somehow we persist in taking sides in a political system that insists in dichotomy, either-or and polarization. I find this to be anti-intellectual, destructive and frankly embarrassing as a member of this country. I also think that people that ally themselves too strongly with either side are some combination of stupid and vindictive. For me, this frustration was crystallized in the recent health care debate and passage of HCR. The difference is this time, partisan intellectual immaturity and disregard for objectivity will effect that which is most important, our health, and that is sad.

So be thankful helpless people should get some help. But don't celebrate with a six pack and a dozen wings. Be concerned about the loss of personal responsibility for health. But don't do it from your couch watching reruns of 24. Do it while you walk around the block.