Why I think healthcare reform will be the struggle of our lifetime

if we should choose to undertake the challenge.

Economies go through periods of great transition. The rrapid advances in personal productivity, the communications explosion, and many other factors create an environment where the bsic infrastructure, and the assumptions on which it was based, have to come into question.

Several days ago I traveled on a biz trip with a co-worker and I learned that he is a rabid winger. We work in a healthcare related firm. He said that he would oppose any reform because it would take away from his occupational prospects. His comp is probably around 150-200.

And it occurred to me, our economy is convulsing while it is trying to figure out how to replace lost jobs. Meanwhile our company's health plan increased by 12%; just like clockwork...and you are all too familiar with the rest of the story. Butthis fellow refuses to consider having to possibly retrain himself. To share some of the burden. To make some of the sacrifice. But that is not to be. The "I got mine" sentiment is certainly the guiding force.

overcoming this powerful white collar greed is going to take some doing.

That pretty much defines the battle between the values of the right and the left.

how many others will die, or will have their quality of life seriously impacted, and how many of those deaths or diminished lives might have been prevented?

like it was about 1965, instead of 8%, like now, this would be less tough.

and provide IT support, etc.

MKJ