This I Believe
In America what are the words that distinuish us from other countries? I think of words like creativity, innovation and high technology. These I believe are great words to describe us.
I believe that words like resourcefulness, wealth and opportunity are also great words to distinguish us, but the words I believe, I am most proud of “In describing America” are words like compassion. I’m proud of the fact that as Americans we believe in and cherish –words like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness—These words are the foundation of our beliefs and values.
But, when I look at how certain Americans are suffering among us, and how many of our children are at great risk, I become troubled that our actual actions are contrary to those beliefs and values, we hold so dear. Do we really stand today in support of those things that historically have distinguish us from others.
This I believe is an issue we must examine. What are these facts that run contrary to our beliefs and values? What are these facts that keep certain Americans from the pursuit of happiness? As an example, what has happen to us that we find ourselves in such a terrible National Health care crises? Let me share this with you:
·In 2006, 47 million people were without health insurance coverage.
·Each year, 18,000 people die unnecessarily because they are uninsured.
·Nationally, 50% of parents in families earning less than $40,000 a year are offered health insurance through their employer.
·The number of uninsured children increased from 8 million (10.9 percent) in 2005 to 8.7 million (11.7 percent) in 2006.
·One-third of all Americans and two-thirds of low-income Americans are uninsured or underinsured at some point during the year.
·Family health insurance premiums have risen 87 percent since the year 2000, but median family incomes have increased by only 11 percent.
·One-third of families now report problems with medical bills or medical debt.
·More than 17 million women are uninsured.
·Many working parents cannot provide health insurance for their children. Nationally, 75 percent of uninsured children live with someone who works full time. But, Health Care is not affordable for them.
·Among 19 industrialized countries, the United States ranked 15th on “mortality from conditions amenable to health care,” or deaths before age 75 that are potentially preventable with timely, effective care.
This I believe, that as Americans we should be fed up with this issue of a like of Affordable Health Care for all Americans.
I believe that we are in the defining moments of our history, and our beliefs and values are at great risk.
I believe that not only are we at a moment of great challenge regarding these issues, but also, we are at a moment of great opportunity to solve them.
I believe that Politicians ought to stop talking about the 47 million people without Health Care and start doing something about it.
I believe that we need to fight for the 6 million kids that are now covered under S-Chip. But I believe that we should even go further—a fight for affordable health care for every single American, every child, every woman and every man.
I believe we should start a national campaign to tell these politicians to stop attacking their opponents and start attacking the problems of America.
I believe we should ask them to give us back our one word descriptions –Like “Compassionate”, “Concerned”, “Caring”.
If your “This I Believe “ is similar to my “This I Believe” I ask that you join me in this Campaign. Let’s once again build a bigger, a better, and a brighter Nation for all of us, not just for some of us.