With emotions running high as the battle for “healthcare” is waged across the country, I think the part that has really stuck out in my mind is the name calling. Sure, I know that it is happening on both sides since people are really passionate about this subject but seriously? Can we knock it off?

I, for one, don’t really believe in the healthcare reform. Throw your hate bombs at me if you will (I do have the “delete” function in my mail inbox) but I have my reasons. I respect your right to want and believe in public healthcare so can’t you respect my not believing in it? I don’t really want to get into my reasonings since it is such a heated subject for everyone and don’t want death threats. Again.

And no, don’t send me links, articles, or stuff that supports why you’re right and I’m wrong. I’m not blindly sitting on my hands and not researching the subject. My friends who were very pro-Obama thought I was un-educated and hadn’t “researched stuff” during the election and constantly sent me literature to support their view points. Thanks, really. Since I’m a blind follower sheep who needs guidance and follows to the T the ideology of a certain political parties.

Or not.

What offends me most of all is being called a “narrow-minded Christian”, “uneducated”, and being told I “deserve to die a horrible and painful death” due to my beliefs. Yes, I got into it with someone because I was informed I should die a horrible death since I have insurance (which, by the way, I pay out of pocket for. I should die for THAT REASON).

Let’s clear some stuff up on your stereotypes about me as a “Republican” “anti” healthcare individual:

• Believe it or not I went to a liberal art school. Like, a school for only art. Twice. I also have TWO art degrees. A lot of people assume this makes me a very liberal individual. I won’t go into the glee I feel at their disappointment that I’m not.
• I support gay rights. A registered Republican who supports gay rights?! TO ARMS!
• I’m not religious. I’m Agnostic aka the jury is out on what I believe with religion. I have also never read the Bible. I don’t foresee reading it anytime soon in my life, either.
• Compared to a lot of individuals I know I am VERY open minded. I respect your opinions and beliefs and just want the same in return without the name calling and demeaning comments. I will listen to them, ask questions, and be interested until you try to “convert me” to your way of thinking.
• I also put myself out there for friends, family, and people/animals/places in need. Some people who claim they care honestly don’t give a rat’s ass and don’t step up to plate when others need it.

Sure, I’m luckily insured right now. I’ve been on state insurance before and have been uninsured for brief periods between being on insurance. I’ve been denied insurance claims for various stupid reasons and have had to fight the system. The system does need work and improvement but in my humble opinion getting the government involved is not the way to fix it. I mean look at social security. They did a GREAT job with THAT.

Don’t tell me I deserve to die a horrible and painful death because I don’t share your ideas. I don’t wish death and suffering on you for your beliefs (at least where I’d voice it TO YOU— and it’s only if you’re being difficult and telling ME to die). I respect your ideas and just want the same. I also know the system needs work. I’ve talked with doctors and nurses about the system and know it can’t handle it suddenly becoming free-for-all insurance and coverage.

A lot of stuff needs work before we can have our Utopia where sunshine shines out of people’s asses and we all can skip down the gumdrop lined roads. Cynical, yes, but then again I have done my reading despite what others think.

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