Dear (add any Blue Dog Dem or Republican here),
I am writing in order to inform you of a number that was brought to my attention last night: 11%.
The 11% does not represent an unemployment number that some of your constituants would like to see in order to cheer on Republican gains in 2010. The 11% represents the percentage of my paycheck that is taken out in health insurance premiums for my family. That's right. 11%.
I realize that, depending on some salaries, 11% may not seen like a big percentage. Especially if you make $250,000 and can afford it. However, we are part of the middle class. You see, that percentage does not include our deductible, our copay, or the 20% that we are expected to pay after we meet the deductible. Last year, my son had surgery, as did I. I have been cursed with a chronic sinus problem and my wife frequently jokes with my mother that she wants a refund on my nose. Since 2000, I have had three surgeries on my sinuses. Unfortunately, the question that should be asked is, "why only 3?". I have put off going to by ENT specialist due to medical costs as I fear it will only result in the recommendation of another surgery, which is often difficult to afford on top of all the other costs. With more surgeries, I risk being labeled as having a preexisting condition, and God forbid I should switch jobs and having that on my record. Does that seem just and fair to you?
My wife and I are expecting a daughter in February 2010 and due to complications during the birth of our son, my wife may require a c-section. Therefore, on top of the 11% of my salary in premiums and deductible, delivery charges, hospital stay charges, etc., we now may have a surgery to pay for. You do the math and ask yourself if that seems just and fair to you in America.
As a nation, we attempt to state that we hold the moral high ground in the world. What kind of morality is it when we don't provide for or take care of our own? People claim religious values, but what values do they speak of? Certainly not that of the Bible. The Jesus that I know and love never charged a copay. The Jesus that I know and love never refused to heal those that sought to be healed. The Jesus that I know and love never asked if someone had health insurance before blessing the world with his miracles. The Jesus that I know and love would be ashamed of how we treat the poor and the sick.
Some claim that they want to go back to 9/12, when the country was "united". Yes, we were united then. We used one another as crutches to walk. We borrowed each others' shoulder to lean on. We saw no difference in one another. What we didn't do was tell each other, "Too bad, so suck it up". What country does that to its own citizens and what politian, in good faith, allows that?
Unfortunately, my 11% is someone elses 0% as they don't have any salary at all to pay for their Cobra. How can you see that as just and fair? We are so quick to act out to help other countries, to attempt to give citizens of other countries a better life. What about our own? We are expected to pay 11%+ just in premiums and then have our insurance companies raise prices which force people to drop their coverage, such as Aetna, just for more profit.
Is their no decency in our country anymore?