Flowering pots of protest

I am sitting on the porch, my feet on a table. The sun is shining but it's not overly warm; white clouds drift across the sky and sometimes steal the sun, leaving a sudden chill as a calling card. The geraniums in their pots are blooming nicely, the Russian sage is growing taller, as is the lavender and rosemary. Others are not doing so well; they were hurt by our unusual winter cold and are having a hard time regaining what they lost. I could replace them of course, but I'd rather give them a chance.

The news is filled with talk of health care and lack of health care and protests against changing health care. Everywhere I look I see tales of impending doom if the Republican bill passes. We thought seven years ago this issue was settled, but here it is at our door again. This constant churning is demoralizing and cruel, for reliable health care is integral to how safe one feels in the world. How is causing 22 million people to lose care a good thing?

The preamble to the U. S. Constitution lists just six items government must do to "form a more perfect union": establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide a common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty. Note that general welfare and common defense get equal billing. Maybe we should take half our overblown military budget and create universal healthcare. And please tell me how depriving millions of insurance in order to give huge tax cuts to billionaires, is justice.

I don't see how this can end well for the country, or for Republicans. Will the 61% of voters who approve of Medicaid vote again for the senators and representatives who destroyed it? It doesn't seem likely. But then having Trump as the president didn't seem likely either.

Whatever happens with the vote this week we're clearly a long way from the founder's vision of a tranquil, unified country. Can we really withdraw our help from a baby born with a heart defect, or a cancer patient who might be saved with chemo? Because that's what will happen if this plan takes effect.

Even my potted plants deserve a chance to live. Shouldn't we do the same for our fellow citizens?

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