Not the Worst by a Long Shot

I think it’s safe to say that most folks have had about enough of this government shutdown as well as the tug of war around the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

As this thing drags on, the polls are showing that people are just disgusted. Heck, Americans claim to have a higher opinion of jury duty, hipsters, zombies, and dog poop than Congress.

From my corner of the universe, I can tell folks are getting antsy because I’m getting more pushback on my piece about Why the ACA Isn't As Unpopular As Some Would Like.

Hey, I’m just trying to give you some insight, here, thinking maybe it’ll help. If you don’t want insight, I get it. But that’s my way. I seek to understand and to be understood.

And in that spirit, here’s something that occurred to me when one reader expressed his incredulity that anyone could support such a bad, bad law as the ACA.

Now, this is going to sound a little odd to some folks. It’s going to sound a little ridiculous. A little irrational. Maybe even downright stupid.

But I’d be lying if I denied what I’m about to tell you, and I don’t want to do that.

So here goes.

For me, as a person of African descent living in these here United States (a country I love, by the way), I can’t help feeling a little incredulous myself when someone wants to preach to me about a bad law.

Because it brings to mind all the other bad laws that were created for no other reason than to:

Keep me illiterate
Keep me ignorant
Keep me “in my place”
Keep me invisible
Keep me away
Keep me from exercising my right to vote
Keep me enslaved
 
And I think, “Hmmm… as bad laws go, Obamacare doesn’t sound that bad.”

I’m not saying two wrongs make a right. I’m not saying it’s completely logical. I’m saying it is what it is. And if you find yourself dumfounded about what is, well, consider the history of what was.

Like I said, you may not “get it.”

And yes, the ACA is deeply flawed, I’ll give you that.

But I believe (and go ahead and call me a fool if you wish), that the intent of the law is good—to provide health coverage for those who have none. To provide something for someone who has nothing. Something we all want that recognizes the intrinsic worth of each of us. Basic flippin’ healthcare. To quote a friend “Is it so terrible to propose that if we all give a little we can give something to someone who has nothing?”

I don’t think it’s terrible. I think it’s what civil societies do. I think it’s what communities do.

And this is not purely a charitable endeavor. We know that the cost of care for uninsured individuals affects the entire healthcare industry.

I’m not happy about the current state of affairs, you can believe that. And at this point, I want it resolved as much as the next person.

But I can’t get on board with those who want to rant and rave about how terrible Obamacare is—that it’s the worst piece of legislation ever.

Pulease.