It was Edmund Burke who said, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” If anyone has taken a look at America lately, they would find a nation of “do nothings”.

Today, “Health Care Reform” as some call it, “Socialized Medicine” as others call it, got over its first major legislative hurdle when it was passed by the Senate Finance Committee. The road has been paved for the legislation to go to the full Senate as early as the week of October 26.

The White House hailed this a “critical milestone” toward remaking the nation’s health care system and lauded heaps of praise on the one lone Republican who voted for the legislation, thereby allowing the White House and the Dems to begin crowing about “bi-partisan” support.

The lone Republican who voted for the legislation was Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine. “When history calls, history calls,” she said. How very modest of you, Senator. It is also a relief to know that the good Senator was thinking of her perceived place in history, rather than your best interests.   Dear Senator, only time will tell exactly what history will call you. 

So, as this monumental moment was occurring Americans everywhere were glued to C-Span, right? Hardly.  Certainly Americans were in constant contact with the events of the day via “Twitter”, “Facebook”, online news sources, and the like, in order to remain up-to-speed on what was happening in Washington, yes?  No.

If the fundamental way that Americans receive their health care, access their health care, pay for their health care, and relate to their doctors is changed, it will dramatically impact every living, breathing human being in this nation.  These are truly life and death decisions.

Does anyone care?  The Dems and Republicans are still shouting at each other and will continue to do so. The conservative grass-roots movements that have cropped up since early Spring care…we’ve seen that on TV. Even liberal lapdogs like NBC, MSNBC, CNN and The New York Times would probably concede that this bunch of people actually does care.

What about the other few hundred million of us?  Let’s take a look shall we?

One of the most profound changes ever to occur in our nation’s history took a step forward either toward success or the ruination of our country – depending on your political and ideological bent, but what was America interested in?

As late as 3:00 pm Central Time today, a look at Yahoo’s Top Searches revealed most Americans didn’t care too much about health care reform.

The top searches included: Iran, Shakira, MLB Post Season, and a few other celebrity topics.

In all fairness, “Olympia Snowe” and “Health Care” did make the top 10 by 5:00 pm. So, there was some attention. Kudos, America.

The really troubling thing; however, is how many Americans are not only completely uninformed, but seem content to remain that way.
How many of you have heard this one?  “I don’t watch the news. It upsets me.”

Does that mean if you ignore it, it will go away?  Sure it will. Just like Cancer. 

Let’s be honest, poll your friends and family and ask this question: Do they know more about Health Care Reform and what’s at stake, or more about the tragic death of Jessica Simpson’s dog?

I suspect more of them can give you all the horrifying details of Simpson’s pooch and the ravenous Coyote than can speak intelligently about the possibility of waiting six months to see their doctor.

Have you mentioned some tenants of the bill to the people and had them say, “What? Where did you hear that?”

I know people, I am related to people in fact, who have no health insurance and are content to bee-bop along supporting Obama, watching “E” and “The View” without the foggiest concept that when this legislation passes, they will be forced by law to buy health care coverage they can’t afford. If they don’t buy the coverage, they’ll be fined and jailed by the U.S. government. 

"What?"

"Where did you hear that?  Whoopie hasn't said anything about that."

When the beliefs and views of people like Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel are explained, people are aghast. Not at his views, but at the person who explained them.  The reaction is not, "I can't believe someone like that is involved at such a high level." 

"Where did you hear that?"  Again, the denial comes into play.

There are a huge number of people in the U.S. who simply won’t step away from SportsCenter long enough to get involved. They don’t have the time to take a stand, and catch the latest scores. There’s no time to learn something. They don’t care.

Mark my words, they’ll be the ones who squeal the loudest when Obama and his Congress stick this pig. 

Apathy is killing our country. If the federal government, that same government that has given us the IRS, the U.S. Post Office and Medicare, is allowed to take total control of our health, it will soon start to kill us, too. Literally!