by Jael Ravalyn

Created on: April 17, 2010   Last Updated: April 18, 2010

Once upon a time governments, kingdoms, taxed the populace for protection from other nations while gaining (paying for) the right to live on the land claimed by a few. The taxes were high in comparison to the amount of living made despite long hours of work.  Was there any other return on their payments, oops, "taxes," that is.

With a more educated public demands for a larger return for money taxed has gradually been one (tooth and nail efforts, but successful over time). Universal Health care has been a LONG time coming.  Slowly, perhaps, but surely the United States is worshiping the profit margins of capitalism less, and embracing the "united" notion in democracy.  Child labor laws to protect the youth and public education is an expectation the government not a privileged right for the wealthy few.  Minimum wage to ensure general means for well-being with employment is now a given for the average citizen.  Equal employment assurances are now in play for hiring qualified persons regardless of sex, race, or disability. A maximum number of hours a week a person can be worked by command of an employer and vacation guarantees by the government.  Health care for the underprivileged and elderly are government provided. Social security for retirement and disability safe-guards are also government provided.

There are about 2 things left: equal pay for both sexes and guaranteed health care for all. On the 23rd of March the President signed his name on the latest version of the passed health care bill (watered down but a start) using 22 pens to hand out to the senators present most involved in helping the bill make it this far-a pen for the sweat of their brow. 

One Pen

Theodore Roosevelt to Franklin D. Roosevelt, Truman, Carter, Clinton, and Obama after close to a century of fighting.

Two pens

Worst health care administration of any industrialized nation.

Three pens

Most spent on GDP of any industrialized nation.

Four Pens

Shortest lifespan of any industrialized nations.

Five Pens

Infant mortality rate highest of any industrialized nations.

Six Pens

Spend more than any other nation on healthcare.

Seven Pens

Pre-existing health clauses precluding those in need.

Eight Pens

Pregnancy as a preexisting condition when between carriers.

Nine Pens

86.7 million Uninsured Americans.

Ten Pens

Abortion falsely used to attack bill (the bill explicitly states no funding from this will go toward abortion).

Eleven Pens

“Socialized”

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>