"Sicko" Inspiration

I saw Michael Moore’s film “Sicko” this past weekend. This film spotlights the state of health care in America with special emphasis on the effect of insurance companies. How many of you love your HMO?

Now, I know Michael Moore has his critics. Notice I said I saw his “film” and not his “documentary.” While Sicko has documentary elements, as a whole I saw it as more of a personal call to arms rather than a Frontline production. Critics say Moore cherry-picked many of the statistics he used. I believe it. They say Moore’s own point of view influences his filmmaking. That’s true. They say his self-aggrandizement gets in the way of the facts. That might be a bit of an overstatement, but there is some legitimacy to that, too.

All the criticism however, does not mean this film is not powerful, heartfelt and sincere. I was not surprised that this film moved me. Frankly, I would have been surprised if it had not. Tragic stories of death and struggle. Of pain and helplessness. Of overcoming all the hurt and loss. Stories of heroic fights against insurance companies and bureaucracies that ended in the death of a loved one. The tears, frustration, anger and resilience of their families. I expected to be moved by all of that. And I was.

What I did not expect was to be inspired. To have my inner self and my core values lit by the burning flame of belief in untainted democracy, the connectedness of humanity and the passion for righteousness.

Moore interviewed some really interesting people. I have a new hero. His name is Tony Benn. He has been involved in British politics for decades and he rocks my socks. The content and meaning alone of what he says is powerful, but when accompanied by his passionate, sincere delivery…well…it just takes his ideas and ideals to a whole other level.

Benn talks about how good leaders are recognized by the people, as in, “Wow, look at the good things this leader has accomplished!” He said great leaders are not recognized by the people, instead the people say, “Wow, look what WE have accomplished!” He goes on to talk about how it is easy to govern a frightened, cynical, demoralized populace and much more difficult to govern an educated, healthy and confident nation.

America has become a frightened, cynical and demoralized nation. We are afraid of terrorists, so we give up our civil liberties. We are afraid of losing our homes and health insurance, so we stay in jobs that leech the life out of us. We are cynical; there is a pervasive feeling that nothing can change our circumstances. No matter what we do or say, we will not make a difference. Just look at how many eligible voters actually vote in our country. Our fear, our cynicism serves to demoralize us.

But Benn has an alternate vision. He sees the power of true democracy. He sees how it equals us, how it connects us and how it behooves us to be a moral people…not in the “my God is better than your God” way; but a society working to protect the voiceless, the disenfranchised and the powerless is a moral issue.

Which segues nicely to another individual interviewed by Moore in Cuba – Che Guevara’s daughter, who is a doctor there. She spoke so eloquently and so genuinely about how each life is precious and worthy. That providing care and offering dignity for each individual is a purpose worth fighting for and worth personal sacrifice.

I am not doing these people justice with my questionable memory and inelegance. And I know this comes across as socialist. But why is that a dirty word in America? The movie points to other areas where we readily accept these “socialist” ideals: police, fire departments, libraries, parks, public school.

When the people making decisions about what tests and treatments we can and cannot have, and what specialists we can and cannot see is a for-profit business subject to shareholders, there is an undeniable, colossal conflict of interest there. It seems rather obvious and straightforward to me.

When over 50% of families declaring bankruptcy do so as a result of injury or disease in there is something wrong. People should not lose their homes and what they spent a lifetime building because they got sick or were hurt in an accident.

Are we going to remain fearful and demoralized and sit here and do nothing, or will we become educated, strong and proactive? Will we storm the castle gates demanding health care for all our citizens? Our government is no longer scared of us…the people. They are scared of not getting contributions from big businesses and conglomerates. We need to once again become the people that cause decision-makers to shake in their little Brooks Brothers suits. We will no longer be manipulated and frightened so we stay quiet and hope no one notices us.

We need to get in touch with those buried revolutionary roots of ours. We need to remember that some ideals are worthy of the fight and sacrifice. We need to have confidence in the power of our voices. Methinks it is time for America to have another revolution.

Viva la revolution!