We can all be glad to live beyond the days when healthcare meant a timely sacrifice on the alter of Health or a bloodletting to balance the bodily humors. My hope is that perhaps this time next year we’ll finally have a president that will fulfill every Americans’ right to adequate healthcare.

During the presidential election, Barack Obama promised to extend healthcare to millions of uninsured Americans. But presidential elections are full of promises and plans: and, far too often, leave these unfulfilled. One still stinging reminder is the George W. Bush of 2000, who, as his term ends, is saddled with   the weighty responsibility of having lead America through one of its most divisive periods.

Like the politicians of this most recent race, he claimed during his campaign to support education, healthcare and the middle class. He was against “rising wealth [divides] and advancing armies,” and he claimed that the foundation of his administration would be to “address some of society’s deepest problems one person at a time, by encouraging and empowering the good hearts and good works of the American people.”

I have a theory. I believe that the entirety of a politician’s actions in office can be understood and anticipated on just one ground: their conception of the role of government. George Bush said that “[The role of government] is to put conservative values and conservative ideas into the thick of the fight for justice and opportunity. … Government cannot do this work. … government can [only] take the side of these groups, helping the helper, encouraging the inspired.”

In other words, George Bush never thought that government was what was going to support education, healthcare and the middle class, nor oppose wealth divides and armies. He thought that all government could do was stir up zealots and aid those already fortunate enough to be able to aid themselves. Bush never thought that government could or should solve these problems, and so no one should be surprised that Bush bungled two wars, education and healthcare reform, and the rapidly collapsing economy.

Having seen firsthand the results of such a disastrous conception of government, I am hopeful: and what a concept that has been throughout this election season: that Barack Obama has actually offered a solution
to this problem of government. He says, “government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves: protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education;
keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools, and new roads, and science, and technology.”

I have to say, it is refreshing to hear a politician speak a wholesome truth. A government that doesn’t govern is no government at all, and the best chance for extending healthcare in this country is to directly help the people that lack the ability to help themselves. I sincerely hope that Barack Obama has the courage and dedication to follow through with his campaign promises: it just might return the United States of America to health.