|
I just had one of the best experiences of my life today!!!!
Today history was made in California
and the US.
Three thousand four hundred and seventy-five people came together today in
eight major cities of California
to fix our health care system. I attended the gathering at Valdez Hall in downtown
Fresno. We were
able to communicate with the other people participating through cameras that
were projected on screen. We were able to see them on a big screen while they
saw us on a big screen where they were located. It was super cool.
Some of the major speakers who were there included the Governor
of California, the Senate pro tem Don Perata, and two assembly speakers.
The whole point for this meeting was to find a solution to
our health care problems that we face today and have been facing for the past
few decades.
It was a thrilling yet scary experience for me. I have never
felt as much pressure as I did today at the town meeting (California Speaks). To
know that the healthcare of millions of people were going to be represented by
a few thousand people (me being one of them).
Health care is a very sensitive subject and I just hope that
the people don’t hate us for the decisions that we made. I know that the bill
won’t be made yet but the information that they gathered today from our voting
will be a major influence to how the bill for health care will turn out to be
by August 20, 2007.
California Speaks was over eight hours long and we did not
get any breaks, I mean we were free to leave and take a break ourselves but no
actual break, and it was so intense that I don’t think anyone really took a
break besides going to use the restroom and smoke. I felt like Thomas Jefferson
and the others when they all got together to make up the constitution for the United States.
A lot of times I felt like I was with a study group learning
more about health care and then there were a lot of times that I felt like I was
on a game show. Especially when we voted on issues, they would play a game show
theme song and it was really funny. And we got to use those voting things that
they do on So You Think You Can Dance and American idol. That was cool.
Awe man and we even exercised!!! That was fun and there was
like a somewhat celebrity appearance cause Arnold came to speak to us and……….ME AND MY
SISTER MAYBO GOT TO SHAKE HIS HAND!!!!!! It was awesome!!!!! =D
Oh yes and they provided us breakfast and lunch. It was
mighty yummy!!! =P
And did I mention how intense of a subject health care
is?!?! Cause there was this guy who got angry and spilled his drink on the
table next to us… then he got up and went to the microphone while the band was
still playing a song and took the mic and said that they were trying to kick
him out.. he just made such a big scene… it showed me just how seriously ppl
take health care…. I know that I’m not a very good explainer but if u were
there you would know.
I went into California Speaks thinking that I was just going
to sit and listen to them talk about health care. I never thought that I would
have so much interaction with other people and be apart of something that has
never been done before. I have learned so much about health care and it just
hurts to know that everybody will never all win. There will always be someone
who loses and we just can’t make everyone happy or satisfied with the health
care that they receive.
I really want to see that health care is provided for
everyone by making it affordable but I want to see that it does not affect the
fiscal and economy in a negative way. I also want to see people get preventive
care and be able to have the same good treatment from doctors that others who
with more money have access to. But we really cannot help people if they do not
want to help themselves. People should not feel like they have to wait and see
if they have a chronic illness before considering to go to the emergency room. And
I know that this does not apply to everyone but if you don’t speak out, you won’t
be heard, and if you are not heard, then you are put at a disadvantage. I want
to see people with good health, but I’m not an expert on the subject and I don’t
have all of the facts, so it will not happen if everyone doesn’t work together
to find the solution.
I have no idea if I make any sense but I just felt like
writing/documenting this for my own reference.
| 
