Special Elections, Healthcare Reform, Status Updates and the Zen Master
Like most people in Massachusetts with a Facebook page, my wall has been exploding with status updates from residents and non residents representing all sides of politics and health care reform. In my office, I have a photo of Mookie Wilson running up the first base line as the ball goes through Billy Buckner’s legs (autographed by both Wilson and Buckner). As many of you know, this led to a New York Mets 1986 World Series victory a game later (no offense Boston fans, my team has been down for a long time hence my having to hold onto a memory over 20 years old). For me, this picture has always served as reminder that anything can happen. I sometimes forget this but was reminded again with Scott Brown’s special election victory. 
People in my line of work (Employee Benefits Consulting, Medical Insurance Brokerage) are generally republicans. If they’re independent, they lean republican and if they’re democrats they’ll vote with republicans on health care. I’m sure there are exceptions but for the most part this is what I’ve found to be the case. I do fall into one of these categories and was happy to see a Scott Brown victory and I mostly agree with his general thoughts on health care (taken from his website):
I believe that all Americans deserve health care coverage, but I am opposed to the health care legislation that is under consideration in Congress and will vote against it. It will raise taxes, increase government spending and lower the quality of care, especially for elders on Medicare. I support strengthening the existing private market system with policies that will drive down costs and make it easier for people to purchase affordable insurance.
On the other hand, as I listen to the news this morning, skim the articles and read status updates I can’t help but be reminded of the Zen Master quote from the movie Charlie Wilson’s War (delivered by Philip Seymour Hoffman):
“A boy is given a horse on his 14th birthday. Everyone in the village says, “Oh how wonderful.” But a Zen master who lives in the village says, “we shall see.” The boy falls off the horse and breaks his foot. Everyone in the village says, “Oh how awful.” The Zen master says, “We shall see.” The village is thrown into war and all the young men have to go to war. But, because of the broken foot, the boy stays behind. Everyone says, “Oh, how wonderful.” The Zen master says, “We shall see.”
Health care still dominates our GDP. We still spend a disproportionate amount of money on end of life care. Employers are still facing rate increases way over inflation. Not all citizens are insured and our insured citizens are mostly uncompetitive consumers because of lack of transparency. Emergency rooms are still bleeding hospitals. And the list goes on and on.
We still have a health care problem in this country.
“I support strengthening the existing private market system with policies that will drive down costs and make it easier for people to purchase affordable insurance.”
I really hope this is the case for the sake of our clients and that well thought out health care reform doesn’t go by the wayside. McDermott & Thomas Associates tracks health care news, occurrences, trends and best practices regularly. We make a serious effort to look at health care from all sides of the political and industry spectrum amongst other things. We do this as part of an endless effort of education and professional improvement so that we can ensure quality service and expertise to our clients. I encourage you to stay connected with us moving forward as we’re happy to be a resource on these and other topics related to health care, employee benefits and financial services. Connect with us here:
http://www.tinyurl.com/mthfacebook
http://www.tinyurl.com/mthlinkedin
http://www.twitter.com/mthassociates
On a lighter note, the following are status updates, tweets, etc. that I’ve seen since Scott Brown was declared the winner of last night’s election. No names are attached to these updates for privacy purposes. They clearly cover just about every opinion out there and some of them are quite humorous. Let me know which one you like the best! Feel free to add your own in the comments section.
- yay!!!! scott brown won!!!!!!!!!
- We got beat. We’ll be back. One day at a time.
- Happy Almost-Anniversary, Mr President!
- Great Scott! 2010 Boston Tea Pahty (“Party” incorrectly spelled presumably to accentuate the posters Boston accent)
- I totally support giving the whole thing back to Her Majesty.
- BOSTON (AP) — Republican Scott Brown wins Massachusetts Senate seat previously held by Kennedy.
- As Martin Sheen said in Wall Street “Well I guess if you live long enough you’ll see everything and I do mean everything”
- is in love with Ayla Brown
- I know this guy who can get you a kidney, cheap. You have to put it in yourself though.
- Congrats Senator Brown…fellow Dems and like minded folks let’s take notes and move forward…
- that’s cool, Mass. It’s not like we were doing anything useful with that supermajority.
- Martha Coakley gets the mollywhop…
- can’t believe Ted Kennedy’s seat will go to Scott Brown – so sad
- this country is doomed.
- Mass-holes
- Deleting more “friends” who discuss politics on their Facebook status. Get a life, people…if you wanna make a difference, go out and do it, don’t bitch about it on the internet.
- it is poetic justice that Scott Brown won Kennedy’s seat!!!
- booze didn’t even numb the pain tonight I’m going to sleep.
- Congratulations Scott Brown! 
- I ponder Canada sometimes.
- Aw, come on, who needs healthcare? I’m slowly rebuilding myself with robot parts.
- Election over = phone stops ringing
- Frankly, doesn’t give a damn.
- Looking at the “RED” and “BLUE” voting map of Massachusetts I can’t help but think that the rumors of how certain places vote based on sterotypical BS has been dispelled! GO 413!!!!
- “What am I supposed to do …shake people’s hands in the cold….at Fenway Park??” I’m so glad you felt that way Martha!!
- can’t we all just get along?
Ryan P. McDermott
