In Defense of Universal Health Care

Samhain / Waxing Crescent

I endeavor to refrain from discussing political issues too much within this blog. To the best of my knowledge, I've only raised one such issue here, the question of whether to legalize same-sex marriage. (A question I most definitely answer in the affirmative!) I do lend no small amount of thought towards my positions on the pressing issues of the day, yet at the same time I have no wish to deviate much from the theological focus of my blog, lest I get bogged down in questions more properly political in scope. Still, for many Witches and Magicians, the ethical rests upon what are essentially theological and metaphysical premises, and therefore from time to time we can benefit from seeing what practical conclusions follow from our more abstract considerations. With this goal in mind, I should very much like to explore one such debate presently raging across the American political landscape, the question of health care reform.

I preface this inquiry with the following disclaimer: Although I obviously support one side of the debate, my views herein reflect my own insights into the ethical imperatives and constraints of Witchcraft. My views are not the "orthodox" views of contemporary Paganism – Now there's a study in self-contradiction! – nor are my views indicative of any broad consensus among the Pagan community. I would encourage you to examine my arguments against your own views, drawing whatever conclusions seem fitting for you. As always, your mileage may vary.

Many people are surprised to learn I follow the Left Hand Path. Where the Right Hand Path encourages deference to Deity and benevolent altruism, the Left Hand emphasizes reasonable pride and pursuit of desires. I believe we shortchange ourselves when we devalue selfishness out of hand. Ultimately I am driven by my desires, and I endeavor to give those desires free rein within my life. The trick - And upon this especial point my whole morality turns – involves cultivating an enlightened sense of what genuinely benefits me. We thrive best within an environment which supports our individual endeavors, and in order to establish such an environment, we must contribute actively towards the welfare of those around us. The goal isn't to abandon our selfish impulses. Rather, we should pursue ever deepening insights into what truly affirms our own life energy.

As someone who cultivates such personal desires, I support unequivocally the cause of universal health care. Given my present circumstances, I would not benefit – at least not directly – from the institution of some public option, and yet inquiring about "direct" benefits misses the key issue rather dramatically. To support some other approach to health care, notably including the status quo, which fails to provide meaningful health care for some portion of the populace inescapably impoverishes me personally, since my welfare depends upon the welfare of my tribe, and upon the welfare of my world. One famous thought experiment taught to children involves letting the child cut some pie into slices however she likes, with the caveat that she receives the last (presumably smallest) slice. Children pretty quickly adapt and begin cutting equivalent slices, thereby maximizing their own slices. The takeaway isn't the fact we might someday find ourselves at the bottom of the hierarchy, although this is the lesson many learn. No, the deeper lesson is this: We always get the smallest slice! Even when we believe we're eating the biggest slice, we impoverish our own chances for meaningful growth when any member – any member – of our tribe or our world goes without. Choices which, through simple neglect, cause someone to suffer hunger, illness, or ignorance, thereby diminish the shared world which best supports our own life energy.

As Witch, I am the student of desire and the champion of life energy. These two things are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, healthy and self-aware desire proves necessary for the flow of life energy. My desire for a life-affirming community leads me to support through democratic means those initiatives which might build up such a community. Presently, this thrust includes the push for universal health care. Our community is as healthy as the least fortunate among us. We forget this reality at our peril.

Blessed Be!