Over the last several months many of us have been talking to our neighbors about real issues. This was both at the community level locally and within the online community. We engaged people to attempt to help them through the caustic and corrosive nature of our politics. We were not only about the elitism of policy wordsmith but of how policies affect every day Americans.
We wrote blogs to dispel lies that were materially hurting American citizens. We made sure those responsible for said evils were called out. After all, if you do not know who or what is inflicting damage on you, your family, and your country, the damage is apt to continue.
March 31st was a great day. It was as if millions of Americans suddenly had the blinders removed from their eyes. They signed up for Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act in droves. Some did it because they simply procrastinated. Others did it because inasmuch as blinders about the policy were still there, they realized those urging them to not sign up had no alternative for them. Yet others for the first time came to an epiphany. They realized the sum total of the things they wanted in healthcare was in fact Obamacare.
Last night I had my first official radio show Politics Done Right on KPFT. Check out the podcast here. We discussed Obamacare. We urged folks to beat the deadline by at least beginning the process. They would have about two more weeks to finish their signup.
What is ironic is how misinformed folks even in the studios of this Pacifica Radio station were. That is how effective the Right Wing misinformation campaign has been. As three young studio engineers in their mid-twenties sat around with me, we discussed Obamacare. It turns out not one of them had healthcare insurance.
These young men said they could all afford the basic premium but not the deductible if they got sick. As such they believed it was pointless to get Obamacare. That is the message they heard here in Texas. Many have heard that message as well throughout the country.
I explained that under the Obamacare law, there maximum out of pocket cost was $6,350 total. I also explained that without insurance their maximum financial exposure was infinite. With Obamacare it was capped at $6,350. In other words, one event without this plan could change their entire financial outcome for life. I also explained that Obamacare covered checkups, birth control, and many other features as a part of their premium and outside the requirement of any deductible.
They were surprised and realized that much of what they heard were really lies. One of them immediately got his IPhone out and began the process. One went to his laptop and began the process. Another went upstairs and said he would begin the process. One of them also gave me pointers to use on the radio show to get to younger folks.
During the show, I had one caller who listened and said thanks to listening to the show, she called a friend and encouraged her to get coverage right away.
On my Saturday Politics Done Right on Coffee Party Radio show one of our members got information that helped her son. It turns out for the same reason similar to the three above mentioned young men, her son forwent getting Obamacare. After listening to the show, she said she would advise him to sign up.
Obamacare is just the first step.
It is a great feeling to effectively help your fellow citizens. Most importantly it is a responsibility in a moral society. Acquiescing to false or unworkable processes help no one. Go out to your friends, your neighbors, your relatives, and your fellow citizens. Give them the information that allows them to make the best choices they can for themselves. Yesterday and today may be Obamacare. Tomorrow will be something else just as important. Stay engaged and be fearless, unstoppable, and unapologetic in ensuring the scourge of our politics does not continue to hurt our people.
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