Renewed Faith

It's been quite a while since I updated this blog. I have begun a new year of LVC, moved houses, gained seven new community members, taken on more responsibilities at work, started biking and recently returned from a re-energizing retreat on the Chesapeake Bay.

I hope to go into more detail about some of these developments, and although I didn't mean for this blog to become a political soapbox, I thought I would break my silence to say that I am thrilled that the House passed the health care reform bill. While I don't think any of us really knows enough to predict if it's going to solve all of America's health care problems, I do think that a reform bill this comprehensive was a long time coming and we can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Knowing what I do about how damn hard it is to get this kind of controversial legislation to move, I think it's quite amazing that it was able to pass at all. Because if this kind of reform can't pass now it never will. Although why health care coverage is controversial I don't entirely understand.

If the response of the bill's opponents was this, then I say shame on them and I am glad they lost. If Republicans' response to the health care crisis in this country is "if you want health care coverage, pay for it yourself" then I have no problem with this political victory for Democrats. In this case I do not believe that the invisible hand of the market will provide, as it currently does not for the 47 million people in this country without health care coverage. I have no problem with costs going up for everyone if it means more people can get coverage.

I feel a sense of renewed faith in the democratic process, and renewed hope that I haven't felt since November 4, 2008. I am so proud of the President and of the House of Representatives for making this such a central issue this year and I will continue to pray that their efforts result in greater public health for the people our country.