Healthcare Debate Demonstrates the Power of the Democratic Process

Unless you have been living in some anti-healthcare cave, it is more than likely that you have bore witness to some part of the vicious healthcare debate this week. The healthcare debate that transformed some congresswomen, men and other elected officials from passionate vigilantes for their standpoint to children who have no other means of lashing out other than exclaiming “I hate you!”

What was expected to be an orderly debate on whether or not the controversial bill was to be passed quickly turned into a WWE death match between Republican and Democrats. Both parties screamed over Jesse Jackson Junior’s booming gavel in attempts to squeeze their last words into their one minute time constraints. Later John Boehner (Rep.) yelled “HELL NO YOU CAN’T” at Democrats who believed passage of the bill was just around the corner, others yelled “Baby killer!” at Democrat leaders. Decorum outside was no different as John Lewis (Dem.) and others suffered racial slurs from protestors opposed to the Bill posted outside.

While watching the debate play out on a public platform may have been an extremely stressful or a joyous occasion, depending on your point of view, it is important to realize something truly beautiful that occurred no matter which side you fall on in the tumultuous Healthcare Bill debate.

Somebody was fighting passionately to defend your point of view. All of us were lucky enough to witness the democratic process in action on one of the most historical bills this country has seen in years. We were able to learn some of the rules of the floor that we hadn’t known before and thanks to some Republicans, we were even able to see every possible loophole and maneuver a party can take to delay a vote on a piece of legislature as effectively as possible.

Although the passion was sometimes merited and well communicated, many officials let their passions consume them. Hopefully when the Senate is set to vote on the Healthcare Bill, some of those in opposition will clean up their act. While I didn’t mind some Republican expressing their dissatisfaction for the Bill to an extent, 5 hours later the hypothetical questions and time wasting really took away from the credibility of their arguments.

False accusations, warnings of Armageddon and unconditional stubbornness hindered the potential for good debatable points being discussed. But perhaps someone was right. Perhaps this is Armageddon. Armageddon for insurance companies being able to deny healthcare to those who need it most.

Armageddon for staying stagnant in a Healthcare system that does not serve all and Armageddon for cases like Marceles Owens who lost his 27 year old mother when she lost her healthcare insurance after becoming ill. This was not an evil socialist, Marxist, ‘gynecologist’ bill that will lead us all to some terrible end. President Obama hasn’t marched his army on the capitol to force anyone to do anything. The congresswomen and men that we voted in passed this bill with a sweeping majority and the President did what he said he was going to do by signing it into law.

Some may try to discredit him but his actions on Tuesday were monumental and will go down in history. He proved that he is not going to be a leader who simply makes great speeches (a common accusation) but a leader who puts words into action. While some will discourage, make noise and swear that the sky is falling down around us even though times are good and the birds are chirping; we must at least give this bill a chance to take effect before we start running around like headless chickens.

Though those who oppose change will still be jeering and discouraging with cries of “Hell no you can’t!” after the dust has settled it will be obvious that yes we can. Hell yes we can. I leave you with the words of the always eloquent Vice President. “This is a big (Explative) deal.”

Nicole Robinson can be reached at nrobinson@ut.edu.