THE VIEW FROM HERE

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With less than ninety days until the November elections voters are being bombarded with propaganda from both major political parties. We are getting a first hand introduction to the effects of Citizens United decision passed by the Supreme Court on a four to five vote which gave corporate lobbyists unprecedented leverage over politicians. The amount of money being spent on this campaign is up more than 1200% compared to the same period in 2008 according to a Public Citizen publication.
Instead of being pummeled with half truths, innuendo and out right lies from the political front I would like to see our campaigns engage in peaceful discussions and debate of the issues at hand. It seems to me that this year voters have very clear choices if they are given the facts. Do you want a country that strives for what is good for most of its citizens or a country where the top 1% have incredible wealth and still stay in a lower tax bracket than the people who work for them?
The Affordable Care Act which caused such a furor in congress before it was finally passed is beginning to insert benefits into the lives of many of our citizens. Children are now able to be covered with health insurance, students can remain on their parents insurance plan until the age of twenty-six; (thus giving them a chance to get through college and get a job); insurance companies cannot refuse to insure you for pre-existing conditions; and the doughnut hole for medications has been eliminated saving people thousands in their expensive prescriptions.
Women have scored even more benefits according to Katha Pollitt writing in the Nation. By 2014 as many as ten million will get coverage under the Medicaid expansion plan; by that same year all health insurance plans sold will be required to cover maternity care, preventive services—prenatal care, mammograms, pap smears, immunizations and more. Companies will be barred from dropping coverage when women get pregnant or sick, having a Caesarean or being the victim of domestic violence. Best news of all, no more gender rating.  While this practice was already banned in some states it was still allowed in thirty-seven costing women $1 billion more a year for their health insurance. Older women will also receive expanded care through Medicare such as bone density testing.
Pollitt’s Headline for her article was: “Obamacare(s) for Women.” Her summation, “If Romney wins, women can wave goodbye to what Planned Parenthood has called “the single biggest advancement in women’s health in a generation.” She ends by saying “Think about that the next time someone tells you there is no difference between the candidates.”
Lucie Jensen is a Healdsburg resident.