Once again I find myself in total shock as I watch many of our politicians jumping on the healthcare reform bandwagon. Obviously, I find much humor in my disappointment, after calling and writing my elected officials who ignored my request for more information on this complicated legislation. I have to say it is hard for me to support any type of government policy that makes drastic changes in the status quo while that policy is so poorly understood by the public as well as the government leaders who are voting on it.
Here are my two cents worth about bandwagons and why I recommend avoiding them at all costs. The word “bandwagon” has always been one of those hot words for me, causing visions of red while heightening my defenses on whatever the subject may be. Abraham Lincoln is one of my favorite U.S. Presidents. Recently, I researched his management philosophies, which I believe were centuries ahead of their time. I discovered the true meaning of “bandwagon” and how Lincoln used it to his advantage. Literally, a bandwagon is a wagon that carries a band in a parade or circus. The phrase “jump on the bandwagon” was introduced into American politics in 1848 by Dan Rice, a professional circus clown and President Lincoln’s official election campaign court jester. Rice used the bandwagon to gain attention for campaign appearances.
“Jump on the bandwagon” was used as a derogatory phrase, implying that people were associating themselves with some sort of success without ever considering that association. Today, seemingly, many of our politicians are once again eager to jump on another bandwagon that seems to be a hot topic—healthcare reform. I struggle to comprehend the urgency of this race to push such an important piece of legislation, one that could profoundly affect our personal and financial well being as well as the structure of our healthcare system.
I do not believe in mixing politics and healthcare. Individually, we need to do some soul searching to determine what healthcare really means to us and how we envision our healthcare system in the future. Citizens may want to ask this question: Do I want more individual control over my healthcare options and costs, or am I willing to relinquish choices for a more universal type of healthcare controlled by the government? Actually, healthcare reform isn’t about what it means to me or to the politicians; it’s about what it means to you.
So, before jumping on the bandwagon, your first step is to gather the facts. The second step is to soul search and make sure that the bandwagon is playing your kind of music, and the third step is to know the parade route and the audience. Nothing is worse than playing “Here Comes Santa Claus” in the Fourth of July parade.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
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