The thing is that none of those concerns are government-only problem, nor even government-driven. We stand at a moment of fiscal crisis because of unrestrained private sector greed and exploitation. Government certainly had a role to play in that, and could have done a better job, but the idea that the private sector is wonderful and government is horrible has over the course of U.S. history being shown to be at best Pollyann-ish, and at worst, just demagoguery. A quick perusal through the U.S. corporate crime blotter would open people’s eyes. From corruption, discrimination, outright lying and manipulating, exploiting, acting to undermine communities, and other nefarious activities, I mean, it’s all there. Private industry is not as efficient as people would like to claim either. My stints in the private sector showed an incredible amount of waste. Somehow though, the idea is that the private sector is very good and government just can’t pull it off.

Yes, government could use public records for nefarious purposes. But that has always been a possibility, and we’ve seen it happen from all sides. Private industry has done this, continues to do it, and we don’t seem to argue as much about that. Heck, even considering how often private industry loses records, shares private data, is hacked into and compromised, sells those for profit, etc. should realign folks’ perspective. We already live logged into tons of databases that collect all our information. The #1 collectors of information and profiles on Americans is not the government, but private industry. From what we buy at grocery stores, to where we shop for clothes, to what malls we visit most often, to how many miles we travel and to where… and if RFID tags ever become a reality… that project is not government driven. Safeway down the street probably knows more about us than the state or federal government, and is likely to use that information in far more intrusive ways.

About bankrupting the nation… well, the concern is warranted. I’d worry also. But costs will keep going up on health care, the private industry does not have a plan to keep cost down or even to cover the uninsured while keeping cost as they are. That’s just not the way it works. What’s more, it is a for profit system. The equation to keep costs down is tied to their profitability. That connection is dangerous. A private system like the one we have is ultimately not as efficient as a single payer, and much cost is added precisely because of the layer upon layer of insurance and administrative stuff associated with all the hoops to jump between all the players. The government can be a good faith player here, and they can and should use their power on behalf of the wellbeing of its citizens. That won’t happen if we just demonize them. The key is to work hard at making government’s role be transparent, efficient, cost-effective, and dedicated to helping as many Americans as possible. The focus should not be the profit or viability of the insurance or pharma sector.

Ultimately, I think most Americans are uninformed and unwilling to be informed. They tend to stay partisan, or uninformed. There is clear reform needed. My parent’s experience is certainly proof of that, but there are countless stories out there. Delaying that reform only passes the buck and makes our children’s lives worse. Refusing to take on this task on partisan grounds (like the GOP is doing) is not just insensitive, but amazingly short-sighted and morally and intellectually bankrupt. Neither of our political parties are representing us well.

Perhaps a single payer system is not in the cards, but a robust public option would go a long way to helping us all. The competition would be healthy in this market. Ultimately, I think Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) has an interesting question he has been asking everywhere: “what value does the insurance industry bring to Health care? It doesn’t provide care, it doesn’t facilitate the provision of care. It does not make coverage cheaper, it does not… I’m sure there are some answers, but part of the reason why so many folks struggle to answer it is because we live ideologically bound to this idea of a for profit, private system as the best thing in the world. I’m sure it has its place, but the more in thrall we remain to that, the less we can act with clarity of mind and purpose on behalf of us all.

Thanks again for your thoughtful post, and thank you for letting me post this much!

N