Every American deserves healthcare. In fact, every human being in the world deserves health care, but right now let's focus on the United States. Health care is one of the most essentials components of a successful society. However, the rancor in the U.S. concerning this topic is unprecedented. The left is pushing for a single payer - government run health care system. The right is pushing for a "get health care if you can, and if you can't, sorry". These are two brutal extremes of a subject that must be addressed. The polar ends of this debate are counterproductive and do not begin to address the problem - MAKING SURE THAT ALL AMERICANS HAVE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE.

I have yet to talk to anyone of any political persuasion that does not agree that we all should have some sort of health care plan. But that is where the agreement ends. The cost of Health Care is astronomical. Day surgery now costs about $15,000, and that is if there are no complications. Day Surgery!!! Now, I don't know very many people that can pay $15,000 in cash for anything. For many Americans, the answer to that financial riddle is to purchase insurance. I am so fortunate to work for the GOVERNMENT and therefore have a great medical plan. But what about individuals that work for small firms not offered affordable plans? According to the pundits (what is a pundit?), 45 Million Americans are uninsured. That is a travesty. They should have health care. But some scream, "Let them get there own health care, I got mine!!". That is true, 250 Million Americans HAVE figured out a way to get Health Care, through careers or jobs or whatever. So do the math - 15% of Americans are uninsured. Some say, "Hey, that's only 15%, no big deal". Let me make sure we are all on board about the size of 15%. There is no minority in this country that is that large. Africans Americans do not constitute 15% and Latin Americans do not constitute 15% and they are the largest minority populations in the United States. So don't tell me that 15% is not significant.

OK - so 15% of Americans don't have insurance. The argument against Government reform of our Health Care is that individuals should somehow take care of that and that the GOVERNMENT should never get into peoples lives like that. Well guess what, WE are the government. Lest you forget, "We the People, in order to .....". Sound familiar. We are the Government and the Government is us. How did it become an Us vs. Them scenario? But back to the Government being involved in peoples lives.

When you came to work today - how was the road? Did you have to come down a bumpy dirt road, no stoplights, wrecks everywhere? I would be not. The road you drove in on was in such good condition that you did not even think about it. Question - DID YOU MAKE THE ROAD - PUT UP THE STOP SIGNS, ETC. The answer is YOU didn't do a thing except give some of your money (taxes) to a Government (city, state, federal) and the road got built. Why aren't these people that are so opposed to the government getting involved in our health care fussing about all the government money that we spend on roads? Should WE be responsible for maintaining the roads? I guess that think I should just take care of the road in front of my house? Don't give me the "we are heading to socialism" rant. Most people that use that phrase have no clue what socialism is. To prove that, let them tell you the services and goods provided by the government. How about the police, firefighters, education, highway system (thank you President Eisenhower), military, etc. All of these are GOVERNMENT agencies, everyone. Do we not like that a Government is, through our oversight, providing these services. So don't tell me that our Government does not provide services.
So what is more important - good roads for everyone or health care for everyone? You pay for roads right now through your tax dollars so that EVERYONE can have a good road. Are you not willing to pay, through your tax dollars, so that every American can have some level of healthcare?

Now - does the Government need to take over the American Health Care System. I do not think so. But.....there is much the government can do, in conjunction with the medical and insurance profession to devise a plan that will provide everyone with adequate health care. The private health care industry is doing a good job for most of us. It is time to maker sure the 15% of Americans that do not enjoy the benefit of that industry are able to participate. No more screaming, no more yelling. That solves nothing - never has, never will.

President Obama's administration has focused on Health Care - good for them. However, they are misreading some of the tea leaves. There only focus, as far as I can tell from news sources, is the 45 million uninsured Americans. I have yet to hear concern for the 250 million Americans that are insured. There has to be a common ground here and I believe there is. The government has shown through Medicare and Medicaid that they can provide medical coverage that is effective and efficient. There is plenty of room for a Private and Government plan. However, unless we quit screaming at one another, NOTHING, will change.

This is a defining moment for Americans. We can hide in our homes and count our possessions or we can involve ourselves and work for a Health Care process that meets the needs of ALL Americans. I am completely confident, that as Americans, we will once again rise above our petty individualism and do what is right for everyone - ALL AMERICANS.

Survival of the Fittest (SOF) is a phrase commonly used and thrown around even though most who use it have no idea of its meaning. The concept is usually credited to Darwin in his "Origin of Species", but in that work, Darwin credits Herbert Spencer (who knows who that guy is?). The concept in "Survival of the Species" suggests "the idea that species adapt and change by natural selection with the best suited mutations becoming dominant". OK - cool, no problem.

So here is my problem. I am always amazed at individuals using the term "Survival of the Fittest" to describe their interactions with OTHER human beings. In nature, SOF means that if on organism has become faster, or meaner, or luckier, then it will survive more than its competition. But Humans are different than other organisms on this planet.

Humans are classified as high-order beings because of cognitive ability to reason, and plan, and care (conscience?). To suggest that we will just sit by and watch a fellow human suffer, starve, die just because they are not the "Fittest" is ABSOLUTELY WRONG AND, IN FACT, INHUMANE.

In nature, two animals compete for food. One wins the food by killing the other. Is that OK? Most of us would say "yes, Survival of the Fittest, dude". Now, two humans competing for food (happens everyday). Should Survival of the Fittest apply here? Is it OK for one of them to kill the other to get the food? Yes, I know that happens, but the question is, are you OK with it happening?. Because of our gift of cognition, we have the responsibility to decide to NOT ACT LIKE THAT. Survival of the Fittest does not apply to human interaction. Darwin and Spencer NEVER suggested that it did. In fact, they suggested that Survival of the Fittest was a genetic lottery and they based all of their theory on STATISTICS. The idea that anyone would apply Survival of the Fittest to human interaction is not only mean-spirited, but an admission that they have no clue as to what the theory of Survival of the Fittest suggests.

My heart is broken every time I hear (and I have heard it enough to write this blog) someone say, "sorry they don't have anything to eat, or can't get a job, or have health issues - nothing I can do - that's just Survival of the Fittest". What that tells me is that they are using a phrase that has no real meaning to them to excuse the fact that they are selfish, uncaring individuals. We are human and the concept of Survival of the Fittest does not apply to the human race. It would be interesting to throw these "Survival of the Fittest" individuals in the woods and let them truly survive through this concept that they love to defend. Are they willing to admit that the snakes and bugs would win?

How about a new theory - "Survival of All"

Ok - so I am still on my health care rant!

Peace. Mike Ritchie