Who needs Medicaid?

An amazing story about the failures of capitalism was on the front page of the Buffalo News today. “40% of those on Medicaid have jobs, report shows.”

Jobs that do not pay enough. Just under $12,000 a year. And no benefits.

And the majority of those receiving Medicaid are … White. (GASP!)

Not the stereotypical "African American or Puerto Rican that is too lazy to get up and get a job" as the talking heads of conservative radio and TV programs would have us believe. These people are white, working, and not making enough money to get by or any benefits. And when they need medical help, they go to the government to get it.

And the amount of these people that are in the suburbs (it's not a story until…. When? Oh yeah. It affects white people in the suburbs and better parts of town. Got it.)

And what is being treated?

Childhood obesity – Because of all the cheap, crappy garbage food that they eat. Fresh fruits and vegetables are not readily available or are too expensive, so in comes the cheap food which leads to…..

Diabetes. Type II, also known as “adult onset” diabetes. Type I a person is born with, Type II was described to me by a physician/dietitian in training as a “self inflicted” condition. It comes from eating an unhealthy diet and not exercising enough. Look at what types of affordable foods are available in lower class neighborhoods or what people can afford on minimum wage jobs and food stamps. What should one expect? Charles Atlas? Or may Mr, Miss, or Mrs Universe? (I'm talking physically fit, not as big as.)

And mental illness. All types. I would not be surprised if alcoholism and drug abuse would be included in this. After all, capitalism does have people leading empty and meaningless lives. Either you are making money or you are losing.And if you are losing, you have to numb the pain somehow.

And the report focuses on the working poor. It does not examine how capitalism makes them poor and keeps them poor. It does not explain how these people are slaving away for minimum wages or a bit better while pencil pushing desk jockeys that are doing next to nothing are raking in millions and have company provided health care. I'm not talking about the so called “Cadillac” Plans. I'm talking about the “Mercedes Benz” plans that cover everything from a hangnail to a coma. Full coverage. No co-pay. No questions from the insurance company.

This report tells us nothing that we don't already know – Capitalism screws over the working class. What is does state, that is a shock to many, is that the working poor is more white than the conservative talking heads want us to believe.

So, what is to be done?

1. $15 Dollar an hour minimum wage – Workers need a $15/ hour minimum, indexed for inflation. They need to be able to live. And this money can come from the 1%.  Just take it.  They don't need it and most of them have so much that they won't miss it.

2. A universal / single payer health care plan. No one should be without health insurance.  It's a right to life issue.   And a single payer plan has been shown to cost less that the privatized health care plans that we have now. (And that includes President Obama's so called “Affordable Health Care Plan.")

3. Affordable healthy food. It's time to end the era of cheap garbage food and make all food worthy of the 1%. Good food and ealth is for everyone.

4. Worker control over industry. Choose whatever name you want: Cooperatives.  Worker managed industries. Democracy at work. I call it socialism.

And that is something that everyone can receive benefits from.