For the entire duration of PBO’s presidency, the Republicans made it their core mission to oppose everything he did. They weren’t even coy about it–they blatantly stated that they wanted to make sure he was a one-term president. That didn’t work out for them very well, did it? The one thing they continually pounded the pulpit about was how horrid Obamacare was. They kept talking about getting rid of it, and it’s my opinion that they were using it as a rallying point more than they were actually serious about doing it. Now that they’re large and in charge, and they’re finding out it’s more difficult than they thought it would be. See, most people actually like their Obamacare when it’s called by its proper name–ACA. So, we’ve had the dubious honor of watching the Republicans running around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to repeal Obamacare without upsetting their constituents. Obviously, they aren’t doing a great job of it, and their latest offering is being excoriated by many pundits because it includes massive tax cuts for the rich–the one thing that unites Republicans all across the land.
While being interviewed about the plan, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, said:
Americans have choices, and they’ve got to make a choice. So rather than getting that new iPhone that they just love and want to go spend hundreds of dollars on that, maybe they should invest in their own health care.
I’m just going to let that sit for a minute so you can properly appreciate how mean-spirited and gross that statement is. It’s as old as time, scolding poor people for how they spend their money and having the gall to tell them they need to tighten their already fraying belts. Let’s put aside the fact that phones are pretty much mandatory in this day and age and that not everyone is buying an iPhone, which, admittedly is one of the most expensive phones one the market–wait, no. Actually, let us get into it. A 2013 Pew study showed that only 13% of low-income people (making less than $30,000 per year) used iPhones in that year. In addition, in 2015, 23% of smartphone users had difficulty making their payments. In addition, my phone (Nexus 5X) cost $500, and I pay roughly $20 per month with Project Fi. I would be elated if healthcare only cost $20 per month with a $500 one-time cost upfront.
In other words, this is a spurious argument, but it shows how cruel the Republicans are. Not only does this plan show how they don’t actually give a shit about poor people, they want them to suffer. Republicans believe that if someone is poor, it’s their own damn fault, and they should suffer for it. Putting aside the fact that phones are almost mandatory in this day and age, even if they were only purely frivolous items, why should poor people have to be miserable day in and day out? Statements like the one from Rep. Chaffetz are meant as punishment for people who have the audacity to be poor. “Look, you motherfuckers. You don’t deserve a nice phone because you’re LAZY.”
It’s a Dickensian mindset in that the haves are aghast that the have-nots would dare to make a peep about their plight in life. “How dare you want something as extravagant as life-saving procedures at the cost of anything less than bankruptcy?!?” Why can’t poor people just know and accept their place in life and be happy about it?
This is not to say that poor people don’t make bad decisions with their money–they do. However, that’s an American thing, not a poor people thing. Americans are not good at saving money in general for various reasons. Some of it is our ‘gotta have it now’ culture, but some of it is because wages have not risen commensurately with the cost of living. In addition, we tend to adjust how much money we spend in direct proportion to how much we make. Therefore, the more we make, the more we spend. It’s one reason people who win lotteries often end up in worse shape, but that’s another post for another time.
The thing is, though, you should not have to lose your life savings in order to, well, save your life. I was in a minor car accident last year, and I went to the emergency room to make sure everything was OK. I’m fine, don’t worry about that, but two hours in the ER netted me a $4,000 bill. Luckily, my car insurance covered it, but imagine if it didn’t and/or my Obamacare didn’t cover it. It’s something that could throw off my entire budget for years, and it’s a relatively minor bill (when it comes to healthcare). So, when Rep. Chaffetz clucks his tongue over how irresponsible people are for not paying for their own healthcare, he’s being fucking disingenuous. I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t be happy to pay a few hundred dollars a month (if they’re able) if they’ll be completely covered when a catastrophe hits. He’s making it seem like low-income folks don’t WANT to have healthcare or take responsibility for their own lives. He couldn’t be further from the truth.
In the link above, he supposedly walked back his statement, but he didn’t, really. He’s still blaming poor people for their own problems without acknowledging how difficult it is to make a living wage these days. He’s also abdicating his responsibility as a congressman to help his constituents lead a better life, which is what I believe should be a priority for any politician. Don’t @ me about how naive I am. I know most politicians are in it for their own benefit, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it, accept it, or be silent about it. It just really offends me that politicians are telling poor people they have to work harder if they want to get anywhere ien life. There have been a lot written about how Americans are working harder than ever, and how upward mobility is still a myth.
I’m a socialist at heart in that I think there should be enough of a safety net so no one will have to go bed hungry or worry that one major catastrophe will be the end of their life. I think you can tell a lot about a society in how they treat their most vulnerable members, and we are failing miserably by that metric. I want everyone to have some joy and beauty in their life, and I don’t think life is meant to be a grind all the time. More to the point, I think Obamacare was a first step towards single payer. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than what was in place before. Everything the Republicans suggest is worse, and they know it. They keep trying to dress it up, but they’re still offering a plate of shit. They’re too proud to back down now, so expect more shit from them in the days to come.
By he way, there is one thing I will scold people for–not doing your due diligence. I mentioned earlier that people who hated Obamacare changed their tune when they realized it was actually the ACA. 17% of respondents to a survey by Morning Consult didn’t know that Obamacare was just another name for the ACA. 18% didn’t know if they were the same or different. That’s 35%, and many of them are the ones who will feel the impact of any repeal (18-29 year-olds, and those making less than $50,000). I laughed bitterly when I read about all the people who were freaking out that they might lose their ACA, even though they hated Obamacare. Do. Your. Damn. Research. Don’t just passively ingest what is spoon-fed to you. I would almost feel some schadenfreude by the responses if I weren’t acutely aware how much people’s lives could be fucked up by this change.
I know that I’m just howling at the wind, however, because it’s in our nature as humans to be drawn to that which confirms what we already believe, but I really wish people would not take things at face value. This isn’t directed solely at conservatives, by the way, because liberals show almost as much confirmation bias as do conservatives. I do it myself, and I have to make a conscious effort to not have a closed mind.
Bottom line about the ACA: The Republicans never really meant to repeal it. It’s like Roe V. Wade–it’s more useful to them intact because they can rally the base around it and fundraise off of it. It’s incredible to me that they’ve been banging the drum against Obamacare for eight years, and now that they have to back up the talk with the walk, they have their collective heads up their singular ass. It would be hilarious if there weren’t such dire consequences to their actions. I have a feeling that’s going to be the tagline for this entire presidency.