On Healthcare Reform and Expanding Opportunity
The more we travel, the more we love the United States.
Over the last weeks, driving through the National Parks of Utah and the mountains of Colorado, we must have said “we live in an amazing country!” to each other three dozen times. Probably more.
Truth be told, we’re not always on the ultra-pro-USA bandwagon. I have to admit that this – currently favorable – opinion is heartily bolstered by Obama’s declaration of acceptance regarding marriage equality. But, political gushing aside, we’re reasonably sold on the idea that this country has something for pretty much everyone. For all our “we’re moving to ______ (insert: Canada, Argentina, Spain, South Africa, Iceland or Denmark)!” smack talk, we’d probably choose the United States if it ever came to that.
More than the incredible outdoor opportunities and electrifying cities, our country serves up diversity, possibility and innovation like no other that we know of. We’re especially proud of the freedom that we enjoy and the relative ease with which we can move around. That freedom – and our democracy – gives us the priceless gift of being able to openly voice our opinions and shape our laws. Moreover, we have the practically unheard of luxury of taking our causes to both our state and national capitals.
Particularly passionate about the eradication of poverty and a world that’s more hospitable for everyone, we’ve met face-to-face with our senators and representatives a number of times over the last several years. There aren’t many countries where you can do that. We are fortunate.
As citizens of this country, it’s our duty to exercise the democracy-centric values that serve as our foundation. Sure, greed, corruption and corporate interests all too often get in the way of humanistic legislation, but it’s our democracy. If we give up or quit voicing our opinions, what happens next?
Few things are a more profound reminder of this than our springtime advocacy trip to DC. At the time, we wrote about stumbling upon a huge Tea Party Patriot Rally (in all its hate spewing and anti-”Obamacare” glory) outside of the Supreme Court building. Wanting to voice an alternative viewpoint, we shoved ourselves into the mix and expressed our pro-healthcare reform stance. Before long, other similarly minded advocates emerged from among the crowd, and we had our own small-scale rally that ended up making an impact. It felt great.
Today, we stand tall knowing that our country made another step in the direction of expanding opportunity. By allowing all people more reasonable and affordable access to healthcare, we’re moving in the right direction. If we’ve said it once we’ve said it a million times… A country with this kind of wealth can certainly provide all people with a stable ladder to a better life. We are each responsible for getting up the ladder, but a solid ladder needs to be in place.
Too often in our own country – and, of course, even more so around the world – the poor and the unconnected are treated like ghosts. Invisible. We try to do what we can to change that, to advocate for initiatives and ideas that expand opportunity and provide hope to those who are often forgotten and left behind.
If you’re someone who makes decisions and votes “with your wallet,” we urge you to reconsider. Join us in making decisions that honor the fact that we’re all connected – what’s good for you is good for me.
As gay guys who like to rally for the underdogs in life, we’ve been screamed at, belittled, spit on and called pretty much every name in the book. We’ve stopped caring about that kind of feedback. It’s a privilege to live a decent life and to live in a country that allows us to have a voice. We won’t be distracted by nay-sayers. And, on days like today with the big healthcare announcement, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Do you have it pretty good? Please join us in continuing to move the conversation from “me” to “we.” Trust us, it feels a whole lot better than thinking only with your wallet.
In honor of our 2012 NVR Project, we’re going to be introducing some more new things here in the coming months. First up = a theme of the month. Ah, we love a good theme. What better way than to springboard off this post and honor our country than by starting with an “All American” theme for July.
Here, here! There is often a lot of negative opinion about the states on the travel blog-o-sphere, nice to see some positive aspects highlighted!
Thanks, Ryan! Ya… there’s no disputing that – despite problems – there’s a lot of positive stuff about the USA.
The one thing I’ve found from traveling so much is how much I do indeed love America. I think it’s the greatest!
We’re constantly getting frustrated because things in the USA don’t evolve fast enough and can be so corrupt and corporate driven and, and, and!
But then, every time we visit a new country, there’s some version of this revelation: “I’m so glad we came here, but things are even LESS progressive and screwier than in the USA!”
Most recently, Northern Africa. We had a tremendously rich experience but were like “What? This is how you’re STILL treating women???” We simultaneously love experiencing new cultures AND have a zero tolerance policy for that crap.
The US is a great country, flaws and all. I’m definitely proud to be an American citizen, although I am enjoying being an expat (for the most part). Looking forward to more US posts for July’s theme
I think being away – being an expat – makes one appreciate the world AND home even more.
I love that sign – women are not a preexisting condition!
I personally think the ACA doesn’t go far enough (socialized universal healthcare all the way!!), and instead of the money coming from the uber rich or corporations (where it should), it’s coming from the middle class.
BUT the middle class is also the group benefiting most from the ACA, as the rich can afford their own insurance and the poor largely qualify for state or federal programs. It’s the middle class helping out others in the middle class — and on some level I think that’s a good thing because this country needs to start thinking more about “we” than “me”.
Truth! Can’t believe how flawed it is. And isn’t it sort of sick that even that watered down version was such a struggle.
But, as the wise Anna Quindlen (yep, that one!) once said to us in an e-mail… progress and change take time. Okay, Anna – we’ll try to calm down and be patient.
Amen!!! I miss America. Give it a big hug and kiss for me!
Done!
A very positive development. The virulent opposition to organised healthcare at the societal level has been baffling from an outsiders point of view. Domestic affairs in the US at the moment seem so polarised and ideological. Astounding to a “jaded”, “socialist” European that this would even end up in front of the courts, but a great decision!
I know… that’s our whole thing… And to think that – here in Washington state – our relationship gets VOTED ON in November. And we’re in one of the progressive states. Ayayay.
First, I absolutely LOVED meeting you both at TBEX Keystone this month. Truly, a pleasure.
Second, cheers to healthcare reform!
Third, I echo your sentiments about living in and exploring the United States. After a whirlwind week-long press trip to Australia earlier in June — during which I missed my family terribly — I vowed to stick closer to home (or ensure they get to come with me) for immediate future travels. There are still SO many places just in Colorado I need to explore, not to mention parts of the Southeast, Niagara Falls, Zion National Park, the list goes on of spots I’d like to visit here… yep, we live in a pretty amazing country.
Thanks, Kara – great to meet you too. We can’t thank you enough for the tips you provided for Colorado. Camping near Aspen and exploring the Maroon Bells area was a highlight of our last adventure.
You, like us, are based in a pretty sweet spot for intra-country exploring. Be sure to hit all those National Parks in Utah. They are mind bending.
That movement of ‘me’ to ‘we’ is an interesting one. I agree it should probably happen for the good of American society, but there is a lot of the pioneering spirit of self reliance and such create a culture of individualism and in some ways entitlement feelings of choice that is still around. That concept of being a unified society willing to support each other is what needs to be developed. And developed irrespective of any actual agenda. Simply the idea that we want to be a mutually supportive society to care for our fellow inhabitant.
We’re all better off when we’re all better off.
*fist bump*
Come to Canada, we need more nice people like you here.
Never been to USA!! Would love to visit it once in my lifetime.
Amazing read as usual, have a happy week ahead guys:)
I sometimes shrug whenever I hear politicians of either party refer to the U.S. as “the greatest country in the world.” Because there are times, especially when it comes to politics, where things seem pretty dark here. But I think progress in the right direction is inevitable, even if we take a few steps back along the road. Thanks for the inspiration.
That’s what we both try to stay focused on… that progress in the right direction is inevitable. We just need to be patient, which we’re not always good at
I must admit that lately I’ve become very frustrated with our country and often forget just how wonderful it is. I was so glad that the healthcare bill passed, though if Romney gets in, it won’t stand a chance. I wish people would stop the hate and take ten seconds to realize what it really means.
Also, LOVE the “Women are not a pre-existing condition” sign!