Ready, Set, Activate

Today a bunch of us went to go and see Michael Moore's movie SiCKO, which meant that a blog entry was in fact predestined. Why you ask? The movie is centered around the state of the US's current healthcare system in comparison to universal/socialized medicine programs in other nations. I don't watch these movies taking each word that is said as face value but what I do love is that they get people thinking about the issues. It means that people need to try and dig through the details, come up with their own opinions and become activists on whatever issues and policies they want to support.

I could easily watch this movie and think "Oh, it's so much better in Canada, I need to move there or France has got it better". But I don't. I do, however, believe that the current system in the US is indeed flawed and needs fixing and we should look around to see what works and what doesn't work - and more importantly what would work with the 290 million people that live in the U.S., not just what works for 33 million in Canada. Unforunately the U.S. sometimes gets so cocky on its own system related to education, the environment, energy use and free press that it tends to forget that it needs to evolve many of its policies. And in any political environment, that can be quite difficult to do in any reasonable amount of time.

The one thing I did really take away from the movie besides an deeper introduction to various issues related to health care in the US (which, yes, I need to sit and think about what I believe and what I don't believe) is that in America, we have a big problem with moving from a "me" mentality to a "we" mentality. Everyone always talks about The American Dream as a way to find the magical storylines of our lives but in reality, that mentality is based on the individual making it - not America as a whole making it. Until we move to a more community based country in our thinking, we will lag behind other nations.

Now Michael Moore isn't loved by everyone but the reason I go and see his movies are because this is what gets people talking about the issues - regardless of if you believe in his views or not. That is why we need to push more activism in this world. Whatever you believe, start voting with that power. And educate yourself on the issues - both from what those who are close to you in your opinions and those who aren't. The power of activism and knowing what our own opinions are are the the only real powers we have.

I keep hearing all of these people complain about the state of the world and then those same people say "Oh, I didn't vote in the last election". True, it is easy to go and say "it won't make a difference anyway, republicans and democrats are the same" but if you don't make your voices heard in the power of the ballot, then the apathy breeds more status quo. Perhaps I am too hopeful on returning to a world where the people really will have a say....but there has to be something better out there for this country and the human race as a whole.

Now if there is one thing I am learning in this lifetime it is always be prepared to know what your opponent is thinking. People may watch this movie and say "America is evil, I am moving to Canada or France". But I watch this movie, and make a realization about how I can further the cause of understanding the benefits of a national healthcare system in concert with why America is a great place. So here is my SWOT analysis on this country. (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats for you non business majors)

Strengths

1. Religious Freedom
2. Freedom of Press
3. True Citizen Mobility
4. Civil Rights
5. Infrastructure
6. Still a top choice for inbound immigration due to its opportunities (See immigration problem in Europe and its effect on security, communities, etc.)

Weaknesses

1. Heathcare
2. Full Civil Rights for all types of people
3. Role of Business in our Foreign relations

Opportunities

1. Leadership role while being open to new ideas
2. Environmental champion
3. More propping up of economies and populations and less propping up of governments

Threats

1. Continuing through the impacts of Globalization without necessary forwardlooking safeguards and plans in our economy and workforce
2. "Big Kid on the Block attitude" where US does its own thing (too many times I see this in our aviation policies - argh!)
3. Continuing to create an economic environment in the U.S. that only benefits a highly skilled workforce - we need all different levels of labor in this country.

So there is my brief SWOT analysis on the state of this country. I know that after seeing this movie, I need to continue to be an activist for what I believe in but at the same time continue to look at ways in which my goals could positively change the community and nation that I cherish.

:-)

Paid for by the exploratory committee for Howard Mann for President in 2020.