David Brooks poses "The Values Question" to us today. On the day before Thanksgiving, when so many have so little to be thankful for, how can he call a decision on whether to provide care for those in the greatest of need a "brutal choice"? Can we possibly sit around our tables, surrounded by loved ones, with bellies full, and think that "eas(ing) the anxiety of millions at the cost of future growth" is a debate we should be engaging in? We have a moral obligation, on this day in particular, to do what is right.
Mr. Brooks asks who we want to be. I don't want to be that person who decides there is a basis to deny coverage to the millions who suffer. We know that failure to pass health care legislation will mean certain death to some of those who go without. We are a society that should pride ourselves, above all else, on protecting the health and well being of our citizens. Mr. Brooks talks of a "sweet spot" where there would be no trade off of money for essential services. Maybe the health care bills proposed do that, maybe they don't. The debate, on the floor of the Senate is certain to carry on that conversation until Christmas. On that holiest of days, if the question of Mr. Brooks were to be raised before the 100 assembled, could even one find voice to deny a warm blanket of security to those most in need?
We are a society that has lost its way if we seriously consider the continuation of "poor people living in misery" an acceptable trade off for more turkey on our plates or another present under the Christmas tree.
PS - AN EDITED VERSION OF THIS PIECE APPEARS IN THE NY TIMES "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" SECTION, TODAY (THANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009). I WISH EVERYONE (INCLUDING THOSE WHO FIND SOME OF WHAT I SAY IN THIS PIECE TO BE WITHOUT MERIT) A MOST HAPPY THANKSGIVING
7 comments:
I am thankful for having the Nussbaums as friends. It is also good that they have ahouse in the Berkshires.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
W. Churchill.
Contrary to your assertion, ALL Americans have very much to be thankful for. We live in the greatest nation on earth, the one with the greatest opportunity for all. (hint, first African American president). Millions would love to live here as can be attested by the number of illegals we have.
Of course we have a moral obligation to do what is right.
Who knows what is right?
Oh stupid me, I forgot, only liberals know that.
thank you to my anonymous friend (who clearly has a house in the Berkshires).
I am thankful for many things this holiday season, and my wonderful friends are high on that list.
to my philosophical foe, put your money where your mouth is.
Stop spouting off meaningless prattle about "equal sharing of misery". There is a substantial portion of this country that could care less about the next guy, especially if that next guy is not the same color, the same religion, or is able to do something to better your lot in life. Yes, shared misery is painful, but so what. For once, step into the other guy's shoes and ask if you would want to be treated as something less.
Your anonymous friend clearly does not have a house in the Berkshires but is advantaged by the Nussbaums who do.
WOW.
Wish I had time to enter the debate, but I'm overwhelmed right now preparing to cook for about 30 friends and family who I hope will be appropriately thankful for my tireless efforts to create an edible Thanksgiving Day meal.
All of us really do have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day, and every day of the year. With all its many faults, inequities, injustices and warts, this is still the best country to live in. We enjoy personal freedoms and opportunities the vast majority of the rest of the world does not have.
In that spirit I wish you all a very happy holiday.
Almighty righteous priveleged one, when was the last time you invited the downtrodden poor blacks, hispanics, muslims and needy ones from Newark, Paterson and Camden to spend week-ends at your home in the Berkshires? Put some of your high and mighty moralistic idealism where your mouth is.
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