At its most basic level, the idea of a national health care system, or any service provided by the government and funded by tax dollars, is a system of sharing.
At our most basic level, as children, we are taught to share what we have with others. It’s simple to a child. The reasoning is so vague and acceptable. We share because it’s the right thing to do.
If one little boy has a brand new baseball and bat he can be very happy. For hours he can throw the ball straight up into the air and then ready himself to swing upon the descent. Life, for this young man, is exceptionally better than the other boy who has no ball and no bat.
But, all the first boy has to do is share to vastly improve the life of the second boy. He simply suggests that the second boy pitch to him and then try to catch the ball if he hits it. They can take turns, they can try different throws and swings and catches, but fundamentally this is just two people sharing. This is two people having a good time. Two people are happy from one ball and one bat.
Soon, other boys can join in. Now, there is a catcher, a pitcher, a couple of infielders and maybe even an outfielder or two. Still with just a bat and a ball.
Certainly there is more at stake than a fastball over the plate when we consider the implications of national health care reform, but we can apply this same idea to how we interact with each other everyday.
We can share what we have, whether a treasure or a talent, with others both individually and across our country.
We should take that charge personally, to give.