I was just watching cable when I saw that the film John Q was on. I started to watch the show when I was struck by something. Isn’t it odd that this film, discussing the ills of the health system and starring Denzel Washington, happened to be on TV now?
I know, some will say that it’s just a coincidence. And maybe it is. But it does seem odd that right now, as the national debate is raging over how our health care system will change that this film pops back up. It is an old film, made in 1998. And it wasn’t a massive hit when it first came out. And of the many films that deal with health care in some form, this particular film alone was selected.
I’ve seen this on television a few times since it hit cable. Maybe 4 times in the past 4 or so years. Nothing overly special and not really timed to anything specific that I can recall. One of the times might have been in conjunction with and award for Denzel Washington, I’m not sure.
But considering the love affair that the general media has with President Obama, the pressure from Democrats to pass a health care Bill as quickly as possible, and the fact that over 50% of the nation opposes the Bill in Congress right now, the math adds up. It looks like a coordinated assault on the public. A subtle attempt to sway citizens to think of the Bill as a positive by reinforcing our dislike of the medical health insurance industry. As if we needed one.
There is no questions that health care in America can be better. No one of reasonable mind argues that the system needs to change. But how that change is enacted is the real question. What system and the quality of care it provides is what we need to resolve.
Is the film John Q being used to create a partisan wave of support? Maybe not. But I also noted that at this time there are huge ads running for the current health care proposals, and constant attacks from news media like MSNBC against those that oppose the current proposal. Even the Democrat leadership has maligned those that question the Bill, labeling them Nazi’s and un-American.
So seeing this film today seems far less innocent that it may well be. Then again, the fact that the White House is asking Americans to turn in fellow Americans that have a dissenting view of the Health Care Reform Bill, the fact that the White House has sent emails to various Americans that never contacted the Government – from an unknown and undisclosed list, and the fact that many elected officials refuse to discuss this with their constituents (I still have yet to hear from either of my Senators or House Representative), I perhaps am in a more guarded view of what is on television.
I do believe that ANY President faced with massive opposition to a program, Bill, or action they feel is necessary would use every means possible to them. I recall all the war films that held America in praise after 9/11. I also recall the films attacking the war, and President Bush just as the 2008 election cycle began. To say none of that affected the public even subliminally is a bit naïve, I think.
So take this with a pound of salt. And consider that perhaps, if this isn’t just coincidence, what it does mean. That someone (not necessarily the Government or any elected official – maybe just Hollywood executives that have a political preference) wants you to accept without question. That they want you to resist asking question or gaining more information. If that is true, then planting seeds while you are unguarded and on your couch is a prefect place to strike.
Or I could just be wrong. But what if I’m not?
No comments:
Post a Comment