Problem: Give your feedback on this response to these questions below and use the references below to reply back.
Are you concerned about environmental sources of illness? If so, how does that affect your behavior? If you found that an organization was polluting your neighborhood with potential carcinogens, what would you do? Do you believe the government does too much, too little, or about the right amount to regulate polluters? Should companies adopt more environmentally sustainable practices voluntarily?
I am definitely concerned about environmental sources of illness. My concerns do not effect my behaviors very much. I do things like wash my hands and stay away from hazardous environments, but there is not much you can do if the environmental source of illness is not reported or apparent to the average person. Let's take the ocean pollution from Mexico making San Diego beaches hazardous for example. Even though it is reported and made aware through the news and postings on the beach. People still go in the water because the normal person can not see the pollution, so they do not take it as seriously. I am someone who has done this so I can relate. Even though I knew the water at Coronado Beach was polluted I still went in up to my waste line while thinking the water's fine. It's not that I do not believe the water is polluted but since the water is not visibly polluted and the signs posted say "swim at your own risk" and not "No swimming allowed," I take my chances but probably should not. Now if I found out about a pollution issue was happening in my neighborhood i would definitely raise my concerns to the city, county or whoever is responsible for preserving the environment and our safety. I find it criminal for companies and organizations to save money by putting people in harms way and killing animals in the environment. There actions could possibly cause genetic defects within the population of the area that they are polluting. I do not think the government does enough to prevent pollution. If we take a look at Flint, Michigan the government allowed this to happen until it became mainstream news and they were forced to put a stop to it, but many people will argue that it was too little too late. The companies will not voluntarily take on more cost to properly dispose of their waste. it is up to our government to regulate them and keep our communities safe.
Is some level of healthcare a basic right of all humans? Is providing healthcare to all citizens a sign of a strong nation or an intrusive government? Or, do you believe that healthcare should be distributed by the ability to pay? Do you think that insurance companies, hospitals, and other healthcare providers should operate as for-profit or not-for-profit institutions?
I do not believe healthcare is a basic right to all humans, but I firmly believe that it should be a basic human right for the American citizen. I do not believe it is possible at this time to provide healthcare and treatment to all human beings. I think the it is a sign of a strong nation to be able to provide basic no-cost healthcare to it's citizens. This however should not infringe on the American citizens freedoms. It should not be mandatory and people should be allowed to opt-out. I think the problem that would arise with a lot of Americans is that the government should not be allowed to tell them how to spend their money and some would fear that the level of care would decrease for everyone. I think that healthcare providers, insurance and pharmaceutical companies should be not for profit or specifically regulated by the government to ensure that they are not taking advantage of the citizens. I think it is pretty sad that all of our politicians are too proud to learn from another country and only will propose an idea for healthcare if they can put their name on it.
"Also if you listen carefully none of the candidates talk about the lessons we could learn from other rich democracies," said T.R. Reid. (Sick Around the World 2008)
References:
- Palfreman, J. (2008). Sick Around the World. PBS.
- Yamasaki, J., Geist-Martin, P., & Sharf, B. F. (2017). Storied health and illness: Communicating personal, cultural, & political complexities. Waveland Press, Inc.