Values Showing?

Secretary of State Tillerson said the other day that America’s policy and values are two different things. When I read that headline I was shocked and dismayed, but then went to the article and read more.

Turns out Tillerson made a reasonable statement. He meant that our nation’s policies have desired outcomes targeted. Think peace, order, and accessible diplomatic channels in which to communicate and come to agreement on a myriad of matters.

Values, on the other hand, reflect what we as a nation hold dear – access to adequate healthcare, education, and such as those topics. We believe in a free press. But we would not insist that our negotiating partners mirror our beliefs or values just to come to agreement on a trade pact, or military mutual aid pact. We don’t insist the Middle East nations be Christian before we make legally binding agreements with them. So, policy and values are different things and can be separated in diplomatic negotiations. Just like Tillerson stated.

But let’s take a step back from this. Values we share in America are evidently not of equal support or policy aim internally to our nation. Take healthcare as an example. It seems there are different standards held high among our fellow citizens.

Republicans evidently believe healthcare should be available but not every one can have access to it unless they can pay for it themselves. Poor people who have no insurance or poor coverage will just have to make do or suffer pain and death. Wealthier people pay for their coverage and get whatever medical attention they need, or want.

Funny thing about this is: our national policy on healthcare access for African nations is American paid medicines, doctors and healthcare delivered to the villages and cities where poor people do not have access to proper care. In our own nation we don’t do this unless it is a response to tornado, flood or earthquake – that is, humanitarian objectives. In normal life circumstances access is denied based on ability to pay.

Democrats see this issue differently. Liberals and conservatives see the issue differently. So too centrists. It would appear that centrists and liberals favor healthcare access for all regardless of ability to pay. They see this as a function of government – guaranteeing a standard of living and quality health care that supports human dignity.

The latest political shenanigans in the halls of the Capitol prove that republicans do not care for their own countrymen unless money jingles in their pockets. How very sad.

Our national debate on healthcare is not about healthcare. Or medicine. Or research for breakthrough treatment for stubborn health problems.

Our debate is about the role of government and who pays. The wealthy think they pay for others. They think the poor are poor by choice. They think suffering is the punishment the poor deserve because of choice. In all this talk no proof of these claims is evident. Just political posturing that belies the principles being touted.

Healthcare is about human dignity and alleviation of suffering – for whatever cause. We don’t make judgments about people, patients or politicians. Just healthcare when and where it is needed because it is the right thing to do. Period.

How did we become so callous? How did we construe healthcare to a political party or ideology? Is it because the healthcare chaos was improved upon by the efforts of a black man in the White House? Is it this basic? Is our racism showing so clearly?

I don’t have to answer that question because I know I’m not a racist. I know I’m not an elitist when it comes to healthcare.

I think every religion and spiritual discipline throughout the history of mankind states that alleviating suffering and pain among our brothers is a primary function. Furthermore, we are urged to treat others as we would want them to treat us. Is this ‘Christian’, Muslim, Jewish faith statement in error?

How did we become so upside down in our own values and policies? We don’t hold our foreign brethren to the same standard.

How odd. How very odd.

May 10, 2017