The Good News Beneath The Health Care Spin

Here's the truth. I was headed for a vacation this week, to give my back some more corrective rest after the great train mishap last week. But, as the week evolved, the governmental spin-doctors have been so busy with their twist on the news, that I simply could not live with myself if I stayed mute one more second. Tempting though, that might be. Certainly, it is easier to do nothing! Easier, but far more costly.

Now, I admit that on the surface, what I'm about to share might sound unrelated. That said, as a 'shrink,' I've always been more interested on what's going on beneath the surface of things. If you're familiar with icebergs, either in physical nature, or the world of the psyche, you know that what appears to be so on the surface cannot even compare to 'what's below.' This holds true with people. For example, what is often fascinating is not what's being said, but what's missing, avoided, swept under the carpet. We, in the profession, share an appreciation for a particular reoccurring tendency in a therapeutic session. More often than not, it is the very last thing the client says, as they walk out the door, that so frequently turns out to be the most important, i.e. the 'iceberg' beneath the surface issue that was discussed.

Connect the Dots Exercise. So, take a gander at these situations, to notice what they might have in common. Let's see what 'dots' you connect? Exhibit A is that story about the Lieutenant Colonel who suicided on July 15th this year, having served for a good chunk of time overseas in this 8 year war. Not only did this brave man go through multiple bombing attacks in Iraq, but he testified on the "Hill" for our legislators. A short time later, he was found in his car, dead, outside Brooke Medical Center. His message was that he chose to go "that way rather than be blown up in pieces." The governmental diagnosis of him was 'early onset Alzheimer's, a diagnostic code being used increasingly for soldiers' these days. Is it just me that finds this strange? Honestly, as an army nurse who's attended hundreds and hundreds of Viet Nam vets, the 'Alzheimer's' seems more fiction than fact. Of course, it 'goes down better' to imagine organic causation, than admit mental/spiritual trauma. I'm afraid we are still in the Dark Ages, when it comes to dealing with the fact that the human psyche is not equipped to endure the unrelenting bombing and roadside attacks that have come from eight years, in what appears to be a never-ending war.

Exhibit B: In separate cases, two soldiers have been accidentally electrocuted in their respective showers, while serving our country in Afghanistan. Apparently, the wiring was not properly grounded. It remains unfixed. It should be noted that the work was done by the top military electrical contractor, the same company, by the way, who recently received over $84,000,000 in bonuses. You and I are paying the freight, by the way, to a group of people who accept no responsibility for their workmanship, or, lack-thereof. Meanwhile, families grieve, and the rest of the world turns away.

The third, Exhibit C, involves health care reform, our seniors, and the Republican scuttle-but. Talk about 'spin.' Believe, if you want, oppositional voices like those of Betsy McCaughey, who syndicated columnist Froma Harrop has described as "the Sarah Palin of health care...who sixteen years ago, she helped sink health-care reform by circulating untruths about the Clinton plan. She now sits on the board of a medical-devices company that feasts off Medicare..." Spin-queens like McCaughey would have you believe that, should the present health care reform be accepted, then here's what we're looking at. For those of you out there my age, and older, we elders might as well pack up our blankets, wave bye-bye to the younger set, and head for Inuit country, surrendering to death right here, and now. Perhaps we could catch a nearby sheet of ice and head out to sea, were it not for the fact that our deteriorating atmosphere is causing our glaciers to melt. I guess this would pretty much put us in the same category as the polar bears. Now, to be fair, I should also add that the spin-docs are suggesting that the current reform gives us another alternative: we see our death specialist every five years, or, more, as needed, just to be reminded that we might want to find our own Dr. Kevorkian to help us 'off' ourselves, and save the younger folk the trouble of our care.

None of this, we might add, is remotely connected to the actual health care reform proposal, any more than is P.T.S.D. the same thing as 'early onset Alzheimer's,' nor is electrocuting soldiers from faulty work either excusable, or bonus-worthy.

The Good News beneath the Spin. As the spin becomes more and more outrageous, here's the good news. Perhaps more and more people will "wake up and smell the coffee," or, is it toast? These days, I'm reminded of one of my favorite stories about that parents who were very, very worried about their little boy, who, by five, was still not speaking. They took him to specialists, but, still, no result. One day, as the family was gathered 'round table for breakfast, the child blurted out the words: "The toast is burning!" Everyone was stunned, not so much about the smoke from the toaster, but more, the fact that their son had 'found his words.' Incredulous, the mother said: "You can speak! Why haven't you spoken up to now?" To which her son replied: "The toast wasn't burning."

What We Can Do. Well, my friend, 'the toast is burning,' and I've got something to say. I suspect you do, too. The question is, what will it take to validate our own sense of things? Its one thing to sing the 'ain't it awful song,' and, another, to stay electively mute, pretending we don't make a difference. Here's my challenge to each of us: say something to someone who is elected into office about how you feel. Get it off your chest in a way that can shift the present trajectory that's coming from our silent consent to the spin. Stand up. Call your senator, your congressperson, and your representatives. Let them know how you want them to vote. Let them know you'll not only be watching them,, but will let others know what you discover about the way they choose to honor/dishonor our soldiers and families, the military contractors walking all the way to the bank with their bonuses, and, yes, how they value, or don't, our right to health care for all. Refuse to be duped. It just might be that the plus side of the unspeakable spin is that the spinners will find, this time, they've gone far enough to wake us from our apathy!

Let me hear from you. Always, I send you my gratitude and wish for all good things. Let's build more than a bear. Let's build a better world. See you on the 12th! Cara

Comments

[Gnrshrtd]

Good to read you are taking care of your injury - I hope you're recovery is rapid. I hadn't seen you for a while and had to look you up - glad I did.

I read your article with interest. It has been frustrating to see a healthy public debate turn into chaos. It has been more frustrating to see so much distortion of the facts, and the ease and cynicism with which it is done. The most difficult, sometimes painful, part is the 'rule-or-ruin' approach of just shutting down the debate.

Healthcare is my field, and the outcome of this issue matters a great deal to me. I've lost count of the letters I've written and the calls I've made - when the typical response is a form letter that invariably ends with a banner that reads: Donate. I don't know if I've been heard or ignored, and absent feedback I'm feeling quite frustrated. I don't do well with ambiguity (any advice?).

After reading your article, and the comments, I find some comfort in knowing other well-meaning people are also having difficulty with this situation and attempting to understand rather than get angry. But I wonder, is there a point at which anger an appropriate response ?

[mychagal]

The mass psychosis by the extreme right acting like bullies at these town hall meetings are being taken advantage of by them, and their long relationships with the health insurance companies who line the lobbyists pockets with obscene amounts of money year after year. It's so easy for the lobbyists to give these people scripts so they can parrot lies, word for word, because these people are too stupid to know that they are being used by them. How in God's name can these people believe that the government would actually pass a bill that suggests the elderly would be sent to their deaths if the bill were to pass?

It always seems that the extreme right, particularly in the south, are the least educated people of this country. They are ignorant beyond words and will follow their preachers' commands on how to vote, what to say and how to live. It's a pity and it's pathetic.

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Cara,

You are the definition of "trooper"! To take time out from your "vacation" to not only write a post, but to check in and respond to your readers, this is what I call dedicated.

Your post spoke with the passion of the true warrior that you are. How I can relate to the "voice that doesn't let you sleep and insists on being heard". That God for yours! We all benefit from its urgings.

Don't forget to unplug and relax while you're at it and take time to smell the cactus.

Much love,
Judith

[cinemabon]

Rachael Maddow show tonight exposes Republican fraud in assault on health care legislation. A must see show.

[ejones3]

Ah! A surprise blog! Hi Cara, I hope you're healing well and soaking in what I'm sure is much-needed relaxation.

My stepfather retired from 30 years at Delta last year and his (and my mother's) expensive Cobra coverage ran out. He stayed with the job so that he could maintain healthcare because he and my mother have ailments, his diabetes and hers Rheumatoid Arthritis. For their sake and the sake of all of us, the issues of healthcare and mental health are soo important to me. Thanks for reminding us of how this affects us all. I truly believe we'll win this fight of healthcare in the end. But yes it'll take treating this like a crisis as we did after 9/11 to get it done. And the horrible lies about what is trying to be achieved need to stop. I think they're spiraling out of control.

To answer your question of me from last week. I'm turning an essay I wrote for my entrance to Cornell into a short story called "The Day Ariel Lost Her Voice" about a 13-year old AA girl and how she deals with racism and her identity crisis with race. The original essay is a true story, but the short story is more of a "based on" a true story.

Take Care and Many Blessings,

Ebony

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

Ebony, I am absolutely thrilled that you are moving in the direction of your writing, and Cornell. They would be very, very blessed to have you in their program. Your short story sounds compelling. I can tell you as a Jungian Analyst, that there is a very strong archetypal base to support your story. I wish you all good things.

As we speak, I am in Santa Fe, doing my own R&R, and taking in a conference. Blessedly, this time, I am not here with the agenda of speaking. What a vacation and rest it is. Day by day, my back improves.

On the way here, I sat next to two people, different flights. Neither have health care insurance. They cannot afford it. The gentleman is suffering from a 'terminal' illness. Oh, we have so, so much work to do. Today, I met a single mama of five, with a daughter who has a brain tumor, and no insurance, for the same reason. Marches would not be out of line, would they?

Let's hope people 'lift up our Voice and sing,'....to quote one of my favorite anthems.

Peace and joy,
Cara

[ejones3]

I heard Santa Fe is beautiful.

I did graduate from Cornell back in 2001 (it pains me to say "back in") in communications and finance. The original essay was written in 1997. I decided to "reinvent" it about 2 years ago, but let it sit on the shelf until I felt motivated to write again.

I'm hoping to go back to study Child Psychology. Reading the story about the soldier that committed suicide stayed with me once the story originally broke. Mental and emotional illness, especially in children, is often looked as "acting out" or a phase that will be outgrown. In recent years, I've found myself wanting to study more children's development and various stages of behaviors, also Autism, and learning disorders.

And marching never grows old. Seeing the people of Iran get in the streets for their freedom and seeing most us line the streets for Change means that those anthems have never died.

Peace and joy to you as well,

Ebony

[Weirdwriter]

I appreciate you're pausing to make your thoughts known. We need constant and effective reminders that we are not helpless in the face of the monstrous Spin Machine operated by the wealthy anti-health reform forces.

EVERYONE needs to contact his/her Congressional reps and senators, WEEKLY if possible -- just as those against this important legislation are doing. Look 'em up, and if you can get to a Democratic townhall meeting about the emerging legislation, please do so:

http://www.senate.gov/
http://www.house.gov/

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks so much, Weirdwriter, for your sentiments and information. As a firm believer in 'the squeeky wheel gets the oil' club, I'd say daily contact wouldn't be too much.

Stay in touch and pass along all the tips you'd like. I'm happy to get them included. All it takes is each of us doing what we can, one step at a time.

Bless you,
Cara

[rxvette]

I'm a medical professional (hospital pharmacist) and I've seen so many lies out there regarding current legislation and health care reform. Not only have I written my Senators, Congressman, and the President on more than one occassion I've also called their offices to voice my concerns. I've also taken the time to spend hours and hours researching reform and the best way to bring down costs long term. I've written an article detailing my solutions and provided several links to back up my information. You can read what successful healthcare reform looks like here - http://bit.ly/9QLV8

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes, yes, yes! Yours is what constructive action looks like, rxvette. You are an impressive example of what 'taking responsibility' is all about. Keep doing what you are doing. You make a difference. As a healthcare professional myself, I am humbled by your efforts, and so very proud that you are 'on the team.'

Joy and tenacity your way,
Cara

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Cara,

I was surprised to see you, believing that you had gone on holiday. But I am very glad to see to stayed to speak up. Quite apart from the issues which are not the same in my part of the world, the speaking up is important everywhere. And the world is connected by social media - that to me is one of the blessings of this age. We are learning from each other.

It is so valuable to me that each one of us gets to speak our truth and challenge injustice as we experience it. America to me is still very much the land of the free.

Thank you for your words and your passion. They communicate much more than words alone. The spirit behind them carries compassion and understanding. We all need more of that. Wherever we are.

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

You won't believe this Anne: sitting beside me in the business center of the El Dorado in Santa Fe (Yes, I did go away for R&/R and a restbit) are 'Carolyn and Kris", my new friends from London. As they told me they were from your city, I opened up the blog and here you are. Like you, they shine.

Your comments touch me, Anne. It really is about our learning from one another, isn't it? The beautiful connections that come from openess are one of our greatest treasures in this life.

As for this blog, I was up writing the thing in the wee hours after packing because I just couldn't go away without taking that extra time, despite my previous plan for a break. I'm so glad it spoke to you. When I get back home on Monday, I'll look up your blog on the Archives, as I can't stand missing it.

Much love,
Cara

[dhyland]

Hi Cara:

I am so glad you chose to forgo the vacation long enough to speak up! I appreciate your grit, and your courage and commitment in "keeping it real."

I think we are living in a time when people are becoming more conscious, and more willing to see under the surface of the "ca ca." (Sidenote: In large part, I attribute this heightening awareness I'm seeing to the work that you and so many others in the healing arts & transformation have dedicated their lives to for decades.) What your article evokes in me is the power that I and each one of us reading this has when we choose to do a very simple thing: make known what we think and see. What HuffPo, Facebook, Twitter, and other mass social media vehicles make possible is the power of critical mass--the "tipping point" that Malcolm Glidwell writes about in his column.

I am reminded right now of a quote I read some time ago. I think it was written in reference to the Holocaust. Though what we are dealing with may not quite be on that level, I believe that the "under the iceberg" consciousness of thinking we are all separate from each other is the same. I don't know who said it, or the exact verbage, so this is a paraphrase: "The great tragedy was not those who oppressed, but those who knew what was happening and stood idly by, saying nothing."


Love,
Dawnelle

[DiogenesOfAlaska]

We're certainly not dealing with the Holocaust, but the quote describes a behaviour that is always condemnable. Because it gets us onto a slippery slope, and has disastrous knock-on effects. Nothing could be farther from the truth than the assumption that because it's a 'non-deed' it has no consequences. Already the very fact that it takes away hope in those who experience it has manifest consequences. What we do or don't do does depend on what we know about how others view what we do. Hence, if we find others are ignorant and careless, we lose hope ourselves. Fact.

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

I had three experiences of your words this day, Diogenes. Three splendid people individually stepped into my life, and made the most beautiful difference. Through their example of living authentic and generous lives, with open-heartedness, it was clear, again, that we are all One, and what we do, or fail to do, as you say, becomes part of the evolving creation.

Let me know how you are. If I can get access to a computer again, while here, I'll reply, Either way, I will make sure to check the Archives when I get home early next week in order to stay up to date with you.

Blessings and giggles,
Cara

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes, Dawnelle, I simply couldn't help myself! That 'wee small voice' inside refused me sleep, insisting that writing about the subject needed full attention. You know, that old 'you can always sleep on the plane,' idea.

I agree with your sentiments deeply. Let's hear it for the tipping point. If each of us do our part every single day, with peace, joy and courage, we will turn this world around. Of this, I am confident, and to which, I am committed.

Blessings and peace your way, today and always,
Cara